"No More Algae" Tank Buddies - safe with live fish

[thinksincode]

Hey all,

I have a small 5.5 gallon in my cubicle here at work, which is inhabited by a crowntail betta and two emerald green cories.

Lately though I've gotten a huge growth of (I think) brown algae on the glass and stuff. I saw these "No More Algae" Tank Buddies at the pet store - they are little tablets you drop in the water that fizz up like Alka-Seltzer and helps get rid of the algae.

Does anyone know if this is safe to use while the fish are in the tank, or do I need to remove them before treating the water?

[theotheragentm]

I would guess that it's just adding CO2 when it fizzes. I think you would be better off going with a bottle of Excel with a small syringe and spot dosing. You can put some into a paper towel and rub the glass a bit. That helps clear things up quite a bit.

[QTOFFER]

Nothing really gets rid of brown algae (actually diatoms!) except otocinclus catfish or occasional gentle wiping. The diatoms thrive off silicates that leach out of substrate and rocks. Eventually, they go away on their own.