Brown Algae

[Fishphan]

I have been battling some brown algae in my tank for a few months now. I will scrape the algae and siphon it out and it seems to grow back in three days. I was wondering what the main causes of brown algae are? I do a 15% water change on my 24 gallon tank every week with Ro/Di water. There are no nitrates or silicates in the water. My nitrate readings are less than ten and phosphates test undetectable but I am a sceptic because the algae might just be using all the nutrients for food. I am suspecting that I might need to get a new bulb for my Sunpod but I did not do this yet because I was not sure if light spectrum is a main cause for brown algae. I bought the bulb at the end of December last year and it is a Blueline 20,000K bulb. Any help is appreciated. -Thanks-

[BigAl07]

Algae needs Fuel and Light...

Fuel could be:

• Overfeeding
• Feeding with "preservative enriched foods
• Over-Stocked Tank

Light could be contributing to it. It is probably time for a new bulb regardless.

• Increase your water change (amount and frequency)
• Rinse ALL foods in RO/DI and toss the rinse water out
• Cut back on feedings
• Increase Clean-Up Crew
• Increase FLOW in tank

Continue Manual Removal... it takes a LONG time to get ahead of it but it CAN be defeated!

Pictures help a LOT!

[Fishphan]

I went out and changed the bulb, which has made a huge difference. I don't seem to be having any more brown algae growing on the glass. I already rinsed my food in RO/DI water before the bulb change and am careful to not overfeed. I am thinking about cutting the time my Metal Halide is on back as well. I usually keep it on for 8 hours and I think I am going to cut that back to six hours. I have a 150 watt MH over my 24 gallon aquapod. What is the appropriate time for a MH light to be on before you run into issues with nuisance algae? I am thinking my having it on for eight hours could have been part of the problem. -Thanks-

[johnmaloney]

Originally Posted by Fishphan

I have been battling some brown algae in my tank for a few months now. I will scrape the algae and siphon it out and it seems to grow back in three days. I was wondering what the main causes of brown algae are? I do a 15% water change on my 24 gallon tank every week with Ro/Di water. There are no nitrates or silicates in the water. My nitrate readings are less than ten and phosphates test undetectable but I am a sceptic because the algae might just be using all the nutrients for food. I am suspecting that I might need to get a new bulb for my Sunpod but I did not do this yet because I was not sure if light spectrum is a main cause for brown algae. I bought the bulb at the end of December last year and it is a Blueline 20,000K bulb. Any help is appreciated. -Thanks-

how do you know there are no silicates in the water? Phosphates, (assuming you have an accurate test, most are of no use), are probably the limiting factor, but every time you feed your tank you are introducing phosphates. As long as the fish use food for energy...phosphates.

Work on nutrient control, limiting nutrient import (RO/DI...feed less...etc...), add some nutrient export, (water changes, competing algae)...and remove as much as you can....What kind of brown algae though?

[Mad Marik]

I have a brown algae problem also, all my chems are good, doing some water changes and swapped my bulbs out

What is a good, not to expensive gravel/rock cleaner?