Hi guys, today I did the big 50% change and gravel vacuum after scraping off my brown algea from the glass.

I actually started this process about 10 days ago by removing all artificial plants and ornaments that were covered in brown algae. I then planted 5 real plants to compete for nutrients.

Every 2nd day I did a 20% water change to reduce nitrites and phosphorous. I increased the time my aquarium lights were on from 2-3 hours p/day to 7 hours p/day.

My live plants are raging, they are all growing roots from the cuttings and sending out new leaf shoots.

Today I removed the live plants, turned the filter off, and scraped off the brown algae. Funny stuff, it came off easily and sort of dissolved into a powdery stuff that clouded the water. I decided to let the dust settle before I vacuumed so I waited about 3 hours. Then I vacuumed and removed 50% of the water.

Due to interruptions, it took me hours to refill the tank so the filter was off for a whole 6 hours. I rinsed the filter material and added prime to filter water sitting at the bottom and voila!

Well, everything looks fine and dandy. My fish look happy and more energetic.

I'll let you know if the yucky stuff grows back.

I will be very interested to know if this works>

Well Koko, so far - so good. I had read horror stories of people stripping their tanks and the algea was back next day. It's early days yet but after 3 days it has not returned. The tank looks crystal clear and the fish are happy.

I'll keep posting every couple of days to let you know how it goes.

Cheers!

I suppose the trick lies at letting the water settle down before changing the water.. that's why algae took longer to return while those have algae the next day probably did not remove any excessive floating algae (too small to be visible).. those excessive floating algae would be the main culprit that cling back to the wall which have been removed..

or it could be their water parameter, richer in nitrAte that is the main contributing factor to algae bloom.. by giving it a good scrub and settling down of water then water change, it would remove most contributing factors to algae growth..

It's back. I have noticed small smudges of brown algae growing on the glass. I am going to try to keep it from getting out of control by wiping down glass each week with water change.

UV. takes care of the floating stuff and most of the infectious organisms that want to dine on your fish.

Is U.V expensive? How does it effect healthy bacteria that you want to keep?

what is expensive is relative. there is always a relative that has more expensive stuff...LOL...you can get a UV setup for about 70 dollars as an average. i suggest you internet shop and get one that works for your system. as long as the tank has cycled prior to the activation, there should be no problem.

i was thinking about your situation. you might try some freshwater aquarium salt in a dosage for either tropical fish (quite low), or for goldfish (a tad higher). perhaps this might slow the algea a tad.