In 2 of my 5 gal betta tanks, there was alot of what I think is brown algae. I did redo both tanks about a month or so ago, so they are doing a small cycle. Which could be the reason for this crap. But with just testing the waters in both tanks, I don't understand why it's hanging around this long. Ammonia-0, nitrite-0, ph- 7.6, and nitrate-10ppm in one tank, 5ppm in the other. I guess my question is, why would this stuff hang around so long? Something to do with the amount of light? The lights are flourescent, on about 12 hours a day.

Being that the parameters are pretty good, I'm not too concerned about it, just curious. I've scraped it off, so we'll see if it comes back. Hopefuly not, it's was getting thick and gross looking! I let it go for as long as I could stand it, thinking it would go away. But I had to get rid of it, so I scraped it off!

Thanks for any input, Erin

I have no idea about betta tanks but the brown algae arrived in my gf tanks a while ago & shows no signs of going away. It doesn't bother anything so far & I just scrape it off at water changes.


Jenn

Hi Jenn! How are you and your boys doing? Better I hope.

I asked because from what I understand, brown algae shows up in cycling tanks. But then goes away once the tank is established. Mine showed no signs of going away either, that's why I scraped it off. But it seems like the cycle is done, so I was wondering if there was another reason for it hanging around.

B) Erin

I haven't fuguered that out yet but my gf tanks with it finished cycling in July soooo - I think it's here to stay! (Someone said it was due to not enough light but I tried to leave lights on longer & it mage no difference - maybe a more broad spectrum??? Anyway - it doesn't bother me so I just clean it off & ignore it!)

Jenn

edit - Whoops forgot about the boys! They are veeeery sloooowly healing. So for now.....things are looking a bit better (now every time I say that...... )

Sorry Jenn, forgot the rot-whisper! Glad to hear though. Now don't speak of it again, or it'll hear you!

B) Erin

Here's an article on Brown Algae and a few ways to deal with it.


http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/maintena.../algaebrown.htm

Commonly Brown Algae that wont go away is often caused by Silicates leeching from your subtrate.

Thank you for the link, Fu Jin. Very helpfull.

B) Erin

It's a great link I'll bet it's my tap water - it has everything else in it why not this stuff as well???

Thanks!!!

Jenn