Brown Algae

[rwilson24]

Hi all

I am having an odd brown algae issue in my tank. It does get indirect sun light. Fish are a recent addition, however, it was cycled with a seeded aquarium filter and gravel and ammonia/nitrites are 0, nitrates around 15. Regular bi weekly water changes (65 gallons, and only 16 fish, 10 small neon tetras, and 6 small angel fish (about 1" total size).

I am not sure what to do fix the algae, I read more water flow, so I have added a bubbler opposite end of the Aquaclear 110. I also have pothos growing from the top.

Appreciate any help,

 

[Aiken Drum]

Brown algae is common in new aquariums and usually clears up on its own after a couple of months. How old is the aquarium?

Brown algae, more accurately called diatoms, feeds on nitrate and silicate. In new tanks the silicates come from the surface of the new glass and from new substrate. Once these silicates get used up the diatoms usually die off. In older tanks high nitrate can feed diatoms. Diatoms also proliferate in low light, so turning up the light can help by promoting green algae which out competes the diatoms. Green algae is easier to manage than diatoms. Ive heard people say that nerite snails are good eaters of diatoms, but thats not something ive ever experienced. Otocinclus on the other hand have cleared aquariums of diatoms overnight for me.

However if its a fairly new aquarium its probably just an ugly stage you are going through and its just a case if manually cleaning things up until your aquarium establishes itself. I remember one of my aquariums has really bad diatoms, went away on vacation, and when i came back it was all gone.