I've had a brown algae problem crop up in a pretty well established Cichlid tank with 4 small 1" convicts.
I searched the forum but am a bit confused. I am doing more water changes to try to resolve, and am planning to turn light off more. Both of these items I've read will both hurt and help, so hence the confusion.
I feed the males a little bit 3 times a day. No excess food really staying in tank. Tank is 73 degrees, pH 7.0-7.1, AMM 0, Nitrites 0, and Nitrates 5ppm-7ppm. Never seen over that as I do preventative 40-50% water changes at least every two weeks and the fish are small. Tank is 37 tall, and has AQ70 filter. I have not introduced anything new into tank. My wife just running light more lately, which I suggested leaving off, however I have read not having light on may be part of problem, and that brown algae (diatoms) not cured by darkening tank. Pretty sure it's BA, but will get a pic if/when it comes back. It coats glass in patches, and collects on rocks, cave and filter inlet tube. We scrubbed it all off today, and vacuumed rocks well, scrubbed fake plants. The rocks are standard natural pebbles you get at LFS, and the cave is one of the typical LFS type but have been in for a year without issue.
Any other ideas or advice?
Thanks, Kevin
I searched the forum but am a bit confused. I am doing more water changes to try to resolve, and am planning to turn light off more. Both of these items I've read will both hurt and help, so hence the confusion.
I feed the males a little bit 3 times a day. No excess food really staying in tank. Tank is 73 degrees, pH 7.0-7.1, AMM 0, Nitrites 0, and Nitrates 5ppm-7ppm. Never seen over that as I do preventative 40-50% water changes at least every two weeks and the fish are small. Tank is 37 tall, and has AQ70 filter. I have not introduced anything new into tank. My wife just running light more lately, which I suggested leaving off, however I have read not having light on may be part of problem, and that brown algae (diatoms) not cured by darkening tank. Pretty sure it's BA, but will get a pic if/when it comes back. It coats glass in patches, and collects on rocks, cave and filter inlet tube. We scrubbed it all off today, and vacuumed rocks well, scrubbed fake plants. The rocks are standard natural pebbles you get at LFS, and the cave is one of the typical LFS type but have been in for a year without issue.
Any other ideas or advice?
Thanks, Kevin