Controlling brown algae

[TheCommunityCichlid]

My community tank is being over taken with a brown algae. What is it? And how to control it. I have a small bristlenose and he doesn't seem to like to eat it. Any reason why? (Ps he's not there for algae control just enjoy him)

 

[Scottyhorse]

Probably diatoms. Is it kind of fuzzy?

Diatoms usually appear in newer tanks. How old is your tank?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

No not fuzzy, this tank is a few months old. It looks like just a thin brown layer on rocks and other decor

 

[Adaptingfate]

I had the same problem with my 75g planted tank that's been up a few weeks. It looked like rust all over one of the plants and driftwood.

I added 5 Otos and two Nerite snails and the NEXT DAY most of the algae had disappeared.

I think the Otos were mostly responsible for the work, you could see the tracks on the driftwood where they had eaten a path through the brown stuff.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Sounds like diatoms. They are ugly but will eventually burnout and die after a few months. Until then you can scrub them off if they annoy you. No point adding anything to eat them because they won't last long.