Brown algae bloom

[dragonrider420]

I have a brown algae problem. Any advice on how to get ride of it?

I clean the tank once a week at a 50% water change. I’m running a planted tank. Should I get some algae eaters?

[Caliban07]

It will go away when its ready bud. Sometimes ‘cleaning’ the tank can upset the balance and cause blooms/cycles. If your tank is newly planted it can be quite normal.

[ZxC]

How old is the tank? Brown algae (to me) sounds like diatoms -- which will go away on there own. They are common in newer tanks.

Pick up a few oto cats and watch them eat it all away

I notice you have CO2. Inconstant CO2 levels can / will cause algae issues. How are you monitoring your CO2 usage?

How long are your lights on for?
How are your plants doing? Unhealthy plants will "release" carbohydrates, sugars etc. that can algae will utilize. Healthy plant's will not.

[dragonrider420]

Co2 is on a timer with a ph monitor. Likes are on 8-10

[ZxC]

Originally Posted by dragonrider420

Co2 is on a timer with a ph monitor. Likes are on 8-10

What pH drop are you achieving with the CO2?

lights on from 8am - 10 pm?? That's 2x the light period you should be running if algae is a concern.

[dragonrider420]

Originally Posted by ZxC

What pH drop are you achieving with the CO2?



lights on from 8am - 10 pm?? That's 2x the light period you should be running if algae is a concern.

How long should they be on for? My ph goes from 7.0-6.8

[ZxC]

Originally Posted by dragonrider420

How long should they be on for? My ph goes from 7.0-6.8

What lights are you running? With high enough light you should be dropping pH a full 1.0 -- so from 7.0 - 6.0 as the lights come on for the day.

Are you fertilizing the tank? If so how much how often?

Do you know the degassed pH of the tank water?
What is your water source?
Do you know the gH and kH of the water?

If algae is an issue, 6 hours a day max. You can slowly increase this, but typically 8 hours a day is more than enough light.

[dragonrider420]

I fertilize iron everyday to every other day. I use trace and flourish 1-2 times a week. Root tans for the substrate.

[ZxC]

I would give it some time with the lights cut back to 6 hours per day.

Ensure the plants are growing well afterwards and you can bump the lights up slowly to 7-8 hours, 10 if you are feeling ambitious.

[dragonrider420]

Hey everyone I just wanted to give you guys a little update

[dragonrider420]

I have been really work hard on it. I hope you like it.

[ZxC]

Originally Posted by dragonrider420

I have been really work hard on it. I hope you like it.

Looks good.

What helped clean up the algae the most??

[dragonrider420]

I think the oto catfish and time

[Kaneu]

That is a really picture! I hope i have a tank that looks like that one day soon!

[dragonrider420]

Originally Posted by Kaneu

That is a really picture! I hope i have a tank that looks like that one day soon!

Thank you very much

If you need help, DM me anytime.