is it harmful? i noticed i have a little green algae on the sides of my 55 gal. tank, but then i looked closer and noticed what i thought was my plants dying, is actually a ton of brown algae growing on..everything. i managed to scrub it off most of the ornaments and the larger leaves on the plants but i cant get it off the java fern without ripping it up (i tried with the algae scrubber, i cant reach all the way down to the bottom of the tank to take the plants out without sticking my head in the tank Lol) but i was wondering if.. anything eats brown algae? i went to my lfs today and they had tons of "algae eaters" and some white/tan pleco's that were called uh..albino somethings..but i didnt know if theyd be alright with my goldies. erm, i cant remember the name of them but do you think they could be okay with goldies or is it just that one type of pleco.. Oh goodness im bad with names today Lol :ph34r:

Actually goldfish do a darn good job of eating it! LOL I like to leave a thick layer growing on the back wall of my tank. If you look closely you can see rows and rows of little goldfish bite marks! Its so funny. They also munch it off of the plants. I like knowing its in there because they always have a little snack.

I have a little ramshorn snail (the pest type) in my 10 gallon who does a pretty good job of munching it down, too. Those type shouldnt harm your plants but if you have large goldfish they may eat them.

I am leery of putting any algae eaters with any of my goldfish. I, and people I know, have had too many bad experiences mixing the two. If the algae is out of hand you can always clean it by hand. I take my plastic plants outdoors every couple of months and let them dry out in the sun. The algae dries and flakes off.

Brown algae is ok, although can be unsightly. If you have it either your nitrates are high or you have phosphates or silicates in your water.

Apple snails or bristlenose plecos will eat at it, as well as your fish.