Brown Algae Control
 

Does anyone have any advice or suggestion on how to stop brown algae
from completely taking over my 60g plant tank? I have a DIY CO2
system, dense plant coverage consisting of several anubias species,
horwort, java moss, crypts, vals, hygrophilia, apongs, money wort, and
temple plants. All of the plants are growing great and have lots of
pearling during the day. I filter the aquarium with an Aguaclear 500
and run approximately 200 watts of light for about 10 hours. My tank
has been set up for about 2 months and recently it has been over run
with brown algae. The algae is on everything (plants, fluorite,
rocks, driftwood, and glass.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brown Algae Control
 

I just had exactly the same happen to me.....New tank, flourite and bogwood
covered soon after the plants went in.

I did not get to try all the variations (of light reduction, playing with my
CO2 or anything like that).

LeighMo suggested to me to try Otocinclus - I got 8 of them for my 66g tank
(thinking that one or two may die - but they didn't) - they turned it all
around in about 4-6 days. Now bogwood clean - glass clean - plants clean -
they even stop the debris collecting in my Eleocharis hairgrass. They are
about 1-1.5 inches long (full grown) and they dont look too bad either.

I like them lots...I would marry them if I could - lol.

Brown Algae Control
 

Brown algae is very typical with new tanks - yes, 2 months is still new -
and otos are definitely the way to go.

Jody

"Martin" wrote in message
...
I just had exactly the same happen to me.....New tank, flourite and
bogwood
covered soon after the plants went in.

I did not get to try all the variations (of light reduction, playing with
my
CO2 or anything like that).

LeighMo suggested to me to try Otocinclus - I got 8 of them for my 66g
tank
(thinking that one or two may die - but they didn't) - they turned it all
around in about 4-6 days. Now bogwood clean - glass clean - plants clean -
they even stop the debris collecting in my Eleocharis hairgrass. They are
about 1-1.5 inches long (full grown) and they dont look too bad either.

I like them lots...I would marry them if I could - lol.

Brown Algae Control
 

Thanks for the sugestions. I found some ottos at a LFS. I bought 8
of them. I will let you know how they do. I hope they eat this algae
fast.

tose (LeighMo) wrote in message ...
LeighMo suggested to me to try Otocinclus - I got 8 of them for my 66g tank
(thinking that one or two may die - but they didn't) - they turned it all
around in about 4-6 days. Now bogwood clean - glass clean - plants clean -
they even stop the debris collecting in my Eleocharis hairgrass. They are
about 1-1.5 inches long (full grown) and they dont look too bad either.

I like them lots...I would marry them if I could - lol.

LOL! Glad to hear it worked out for you.

Brown algae is normal in a new tank, and it may go away on its own. But otos
are good to have, anyway. They are the best for brown algae, and also eat
other types. And they're small, so they fit in just about any tank.

I would get one for each ten gallons of tank volume, with a minimum of three
(they like each other's company). If they do too good a job and there's no
algae left, you can feed them fresh or frozen veggies. Mine particularly like
cucumber.
(You can tell if an oto isn't getting enough algae to eat; they start looking
skinny.)




Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/