Brown algae problem

M

meghan

Guest
Despite my efforts of trying to remedy the brown algae issue, my tank STILL fills up with this brown burden. I did some looking into on this site and followed suggestions but to no avail. I have noticed as I buy new live plants (which I prefer over plastic), they are first to be coated within a few weeks then rot away. I do regular water changes and use the minimal amount of aquatic plant food as per the recommendations. I read the pros and cons of snails. Other than buying a few of those, I have no idea what else I can do to prevent this. I don't mind a little algae but the whole tank ends up brown within a month. I've already sanitized everything last month. What's going on and how can I prevent it again? Are snails ultimately a mistake to have in a tank or in this case, would they benefit?
 
Overall, as you've probably guessed, there's something wrong with the balance in your tank. The best way I know to deal with algae is to starve it.

First, do you have a light for this tank?

Second, how many plants? A lot or just a few?

Third, while I'm not familiar with "aquatic plant food", if you're keeping animals in the tank this should provide plenty of nourishment for your plants. Extra nutrients will only benefit the algae.

Fourth, snails can help with algae, but you'll need an insane amount of snails to keep that level of algae down, if they'll even eat it: Brown algae is one of the least palatable kinds.
 
Yeah, lol, stop with the plant food. Two the light needed for the plants is helping the brown algae too.

OMG its been so long since I've kept a fully planted tank... I've bought an irrestible live plant here and there - lol and I usually kill them or the turtles do.

Isn't there a fish/animal safe algaecide?? I know there is a fish safe one... not sure if there is one that safe for axolotls/amphibs.

My fish tank which sits side by side with the axolotl tank is a constant algae fight. I just leave an algae scrubber on top and now and then as I pass by reach in to scrub the glass. Its not perfect but at least I can see in!!

The axolotls don't have a regular light. I put one on when I feel like watching them in the evenings, but it isn't a plant light either.

Maybe instead of battling it, give in gracefully and just wipe it out with a scrubber?? LOL!

Good luck!
 
Hi Meghan,

First, don't use algaecides. It's just more chemicals that your putting into your tank that your animals don't need.

Also, it sounds like your tank has not cycled out completely. Brown algae is normal during the nitrite cycle and will subside as the nitrates take over. You will know that your tank is healthy when the bright, emerald, green algae starts taking the place of the brown algae. I even leave some of the green algae on my lower tank sides. I think that it is actually quite beautiful, and makes the aquarium look more natural. (I know, some people will think I'm crazy
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)

So for now, just monitor the water, doing the partial water changes if need be (toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite). Most probably the tank is going thru a nitrite spike. Other than that, I'd leave things alone for now so the tank can do it's own thing towards balancing itself out.
 
Actually, I like the green algae myself and only remove it from the front glass of my tank. I even have a submerged turtle dock that is completely covered in it that looks really nice.
 
This tank has been in working order for well over a year. It should've cycled out a long time ago, I'd think.
 
What is "brown algae"? Is this what is better known as BBA(black brush algae)or perhaps cyanobacteria?

In any case, I would keep up the water changes. Talking to people with exp. in high tech aquatic plant setups might be helpful but will be a sort of chemistry lesson. I'd just keep up the water changes, and remove as much as possible. Snails are good but I don't know if they will touch your kind of algae.
 
I just ran through all the water tests on my tank. Ammonia is 0 ppm, pH is a tad high coming in at about 7.8, nitrite is 0 ppm. Also tested our tap water. As usual it's running hard at 179 ppm. Lighting is a 15 watt aqua/plant bulb and general daytime indirect light. I'm still baffled. The bio foam in the filter has brown stringy algae flowing from it. I've kept fish tanks for many years and I've never had brown algae problems. This has me stumped. Could the live plants I keep in there be causing this problem? Perhaps there's brown algae on the plants before I buy them and I keep reintroducing it to the tank as the plants die off? I have no clue.
 
Hi Meghan,

You will have to clean out as much algae as you can on a daily basis. Also, you will have to replace the bio foam. Once it is loaded with brown algae, you won't get rid of the problem. Also, although you have checked for nitrites, have you checked for nitrates? The plants should not have been the problem. Have you checked out any of the sites I posted above for you? There is quite a bit of info. which should help you understand the problem.
 
I wouldn't worry about reintroducing brown algae with new plants coming in. You're never going to get rid of it by sterilizing things or trying to get rid of every spore. As K. Hansen said, you have to starve it. But you've given another clue: as plants die off, they release their nutrients into the water. It's a source of fertilizer, basically. The animals, of course, are another source of fertilizer.

As Pamela says, you need to think about nitrates, which are basically a measure of the total "fertilizer" level. Also, get out all "junk", including all dead plant parts and the stringy crud in the filter. How many gallons of water have you removed from the tank, total, since you originally posted the problem? It will take many partial water changes to really get the nutrient level down. If it's a big tank, this will be a BIG chore (I'm facing a similar situation with a blue-green algae problem in my 55-gallon tank). Just keep at it, and good luck, Meg!
 
OK. A few questions. 1- Can I salvage the bio foam by bleaching it or should I start over with a new one? 2- The karelinii lay eggs in the live plant leaves. Pretty much the only reason I keep live plants. Should I remove the plants till the algae is resolved? 3- I don't have a nitrate test in my tester kit. Is this a separate test I can purchase?
 
Hi Meghan,

Q1. A new bio foam would be best. But, you could bleach it. Rinse it well, soak in treated water. Also you will need to clean the entire unit.

Q2. Live plants are good. They utilize the excess nutrients in the water. Remove dead plants at once.

Q3. You can purchase a separate nitrate test kit. Most pet stores have them.

You need to remove as much algae as you can on a daily basis. Do partial water changes. If possible, vacuum the substrate. Keep light levels low for the time being. Removing, and starvation, of the algae is the key here. Just a note, in new tanks brown algae problems usually arise from the substrates which contain silicates. This will go away after the tank cycles, which you will then get the (healthy) green algae.

Inadequate filtration, leftover food, decaying matter, will cause a rise in nitrates. This is also a good environment for the brown algaes.

The nitrate kit will give you info. regarding the acceptable "safe" level of nitrate. (I think it is below 70 mg/L. or 60 mg/L.)

Well, you have quite a project ahead of you. Better you then me! (haha) Don't worry I've been there, and will be there again I'm sure. Let us know when, and how, you got this problem licked!
 
Thanks for the help!! Guess it's time to roll up my sleeves and dive in....
 
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