Brown algae in fishtank

betterbargains4u

We recently bought a very large fishtank...but it has developed this really horrid looking brown algae on everything.
Does anyone know how to get rid of it...easily!!

Diane17884

Algae is quite common in tropical fish tanks i can't see yours so don't know if its normal. Do you have catfish in your tank or Corries? Both these fish are good tank cleaners and catfish are especialy good for algae. I also recommend cleaning your tank every 2 weeks and using a water conditioner. You can take stones and plants etc out to wipe wash down, don't use any detergants, just boiling water and let them sit in the water you've prepared (the night before) with the water conditioner. You can also buy a magnetic glass cleaner from most aquarium shops, one side goes in the tank the other outside the glass its great for cleaning the glass and any algae on the glass will be filtered. Also a good idea for cleaning the tank floor and removing any old food etc on tank floor is a gravel cleaner. I bought mine from ebay. Its good for removing the water easily when you are changing the water in the tank. Hope i have been some help.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi.. i agree with diane... just check the filter is the right size for the tank...and a siphon gravel filter..is ideal for cleaning up the waste that the bottom feeders dont clean up... the only thing diff.. that i would do from diane is not chean the ornaments/grave/ stnes under the tap or fresh water.... as even though you are not using cleaning agents.. you still got the clorine in the water....same as when you are cheaning your filter media out... just rinse it in the water you have just taken out of your tank...to get ridge of the gundge..... as otherwise you start killing the good bacteria...

also as post above.... do roughly a 25% water change as this ration will not tip the bal of the water...

we are back up to 30 tanks now in the fish house....
very addictive hobby....

good luck.....

oh.. yes.. and dont forget.. the water.. that you take out of the fish tank is ideal for yuor compost heap..and your garden... as it is full of nutriants for the plants....

sandieb

I had horrid brown algae on the glass of my fishtank. I used a brand new green pan scourer to remove it. Not sure if that was the right thing to do but it worked and the fish are still alive! It was much cheaper than the one being sold in the petshop.

tim_n

Brown Algae is actually diotoms. Diotoms build up because of an excess of silicates brought in by using tap water and having excess nutrients in your tank.

Let tapwater stand for 24hrs in a bucket - helps get rid of chemicals which evaporate - you don't then need these tank additives.

Reduce the amount of time the tank is lit. If you don't have live plants then reduce to only the times you're about (about 4-5hrs a day) as sunlight does feed algae.

Reduce the amount of food in the tank. Fish flakes are a complete pain for big fish as they sink to the bottom. Try floating pellets where possible. I used to keep a bare bottom tank which admittedly doesn't look great but does mean you can hoover the stuff off the bottom immediately after feeding.

Clean out regularly & consider an undergravel filter in addition to a flowing filter (like a fluval). External filters are still best imho.

Catfish and other algae suckers can cause some fish injuries as they tend to latch on and pull off scales etc. Always consider the species you're introducing - only buy from experienced dealerships rather than pets@home etc. They can let you know what is and isn't safe.

As above, to remove the existing diotoms use a new pan scourer - make sure you wash it in old tank water first - never use any kind of detergent!

MrsTinks

I had tanks years ago and recently got a new one... We have half a tonne of plants and a few bits of bog wood and some artficial coral (real coral can seriously alter your pH levels!) and a sand bottom. So far the fish (about 17 mainly small fish) are doing well in our 90 litre tank and despite strong advise NOT to put them in until week 3 (I lasted 4 days) we now have 2 guppy babies that are growing well, plants that are going nuts (now supplying my neighbour who's plants never last long as his fish eat them) and I suspect 3 or more of the fish are pregnant! EEEEK!
I would say REGULAR cleaning - avoid putting your hands in the tank as you will often have soap scum or dirt on your hands and this can be really bad for your fish. The brown algae can be scrubbed off with a plastic scourer (as advised above rinse this in some tank water removed from the tank). Clean the filters and only have the lights on maximum 8 hours a day and keep away from direct sunlight Also check our pH and ammonia levels regularly