So, I have defeated the dreaded BBA, vanquished the BGA... but now I am starting to have brown algae problems. It has always been there, but it was much more manageable. As of late, it grows rapidly on the aquarium glass and it is taking over my anubias, and even starting to spread to my crypts. From the resources in the sticky in this forum, it seems like the problem is perhaps too many Nitrates or Phosphates, or perhaps my lighting cycle is too long (I am currently lighting the tank for 10.25 hrs per day).
My issue is, I do not want my plants to become N or P limited, so it seems contrary to good fertilizing methods to lower these numbers (nitrates are between 20-30ppm and P is <.1).
When I was keeping my N below 20ppm, I was having BGA issues. I wonder if I should shoot for 15-20ppm instead of 20-30 ppm?
I have a powerhead in the tank that is keeping the water moving near the bottom pretty well, so I don't think flow is the issue.
Also, the back wall of the tank has grown up pretty think with the brown algae -- I have a lot of tall plants in the back so it is barely noticeable. My theory was (or is) that if I let it grow back there, it will use some nutrients, perhaps limiting its growth in more conspicuous places. Is this the case, or would it be better to just brush it all off? It comes off rather easily with a magnetic algae cleaner or a toothbrush, so removal is not a problem.
CO2 has been in the 20-50 ppm range, I am using CO2 injection, so I don't think that is an issue.
Any suggestions?
My issue is, I do not want my plants to become N or P limited, so it seems contrary to good fertilizing methods to lower these numbers (nitrates are between 20-30ppm and P is <.1).
When I was keeping my N below 20ppm, I was having BGA issues. I wonder if I should shoot for 15-20ppm instead of 20-30 ppm?
I have a powerhead in the tank that is keeping the water moving near the bottom pretty well, so I don't think flow is the issue.
Also, the back wall of the tank has grown up pretty think with the brown algae -- I have a lot of tall plants in the back so it is barely noticeable. My theory was (or is) that if I let it grow back there, it will use some nutrients, perhaps limiting its growth in more conspicuous places. Is this the case, or would it be better to just brush it all off? It comes off rather easily with a magnetic algae cleaner or a toothbrush, so removal is not a problem.
CO2 has been in the 20-50 ppm range, I am using CO2 injection, so I don't think that is an issue.
Any suggestions?