How do you get rid of brown algae

[camj417]

I have been noticing more of it on the decorations in my tank.


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[Nathan_Drake]

You want algae in your tank. It's the junk on the gravel you don't want. What I would do is keep all algae in your tank because all fish love Hairy brown algae and clean it every once in a while. But if you want to kill the nitrate cycle then clean it with a tooth brush

 

[aqua_holic]

But if you want to kill the nitrate cycle then clean it with a tooth brush

That is not true at all. Cleaning algae will not negatively impact the nitrogen cycle. Nor will cleaning the bacteria off of decor.

Brown algae is diatoms, which are quite common in newly set up tanks. Many algae eaters will eat diatoms, as will snails. Diatoms are very easily removed from whatever they are growing on - even live plants. You can wipe it off plants, and use a toothbrush on decorations, as was mentioned.

 

[camj417]

When I last cleaned the decor the brown algae was back the next day I might try some nerite snails


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[aqua_holic]

New tanks often go through a diatom phase. Eventually, they will go away on their own. It's just unsightly is all.

 

[camj417]

How long does that normally take and my tank been set up for a while


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