Phosphates back to normal, how to get rid of algae?

[dmolavi]

I have (had?) a "brown algae" problem, presumably diatomes, while my phospates in one of my tank was sky high. Through a regimen of water changes, phosguard in both filters, and moderating the feeding, I have been able to get them down to about 1ppm. I have cleaned the algae off the glass in all the locations I can reach, but what about the places I can't get to, and the decor that the wife insists I keep in the tank? Will the algae die off and fall off on it's own?

 

[Rivercats]

If you have diatoms they will eventually run their course and go away on their own. Limiting your lighting to about 6 hours a day will help also. You could also add a couple nerite snails as they love diatoms.

 

[Fishanatic]

Rivercats is right. Plus, i think changing water should help removing it. I also heard of algae scrappers if you know what i mean

 

[dmolavi]

If you have diatoms they will eventually run their course and go away on their own. Limiting your lighting to about 6 hours a day will help also. You could also add a couple nerite snails as they love diatoms.

Roger that. I dialed the timer for the lights back a little.

I am leery about snails. I have heard they can overrun a tank if they aren't monitored carefully...

 

[dmolavi]

Rivercats is right. Plus, i think changing water should help removing it. I also heard of algae scrappers if you know what i mean

I do weekly PWCs after I scrape the glass. They aren't out of control, just a minor nuisance that I would like to go away.

 

[Rivercats]

Roger that. I dialed the timer for the lights back a little.

I am leery about snails. I have heard they can overrun a tank if they aren't monitored carefully...

Nerite snails can't reproduce in freshwater so you only have the snails you put in the tank.

 

[dmolavi]

Nerite snails can't reproduce in freshwater so you only have the snails you put in the tank.

I will check them out on my next trip to the LFS. Thanks

 

[dmolavi]

Didn't make a trip to the LFS yet, but I dialed down the lighting, made sure not to overfeed, and (crossing fingers as not to put a hex on it) after a week it looks like the algae is actually dying off on it's own. Thanks for all the advice on this from everyone.