Red/Brown stuff on plants and rocks?
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Red/Brown stuff on plants and rocks?
I have noticed this brownish algae growing in the tank. What is it, and what do I do about it?
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- Doug
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Re: Red/Brown stuff on plants and rocks?
"Brown algae" is diatoms, common in new FW tanks. Too much nitrate, not enough light, no or not enough real plants competing for nutrients in tank water, no scavengers eating it.
Regular partial water changes, better lighting, a plecostomus or algae eater or two, and also increased oxygenation of the water will help.
Regular partial water changes, better lighting, a plecostomus or algae eater or two, and also increased oxygenation of the water will help.
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Re: Red/Brown stuff on plants and rocks?
Thanks for the reply Doug,
I am changing the water tomorrow and have gotten an algae eater. How would I increase oxygenation in the tank? A bubble stone perhaps?
I am changing the water tomorrow and have gotten an algae eater. How would I increase oxygenation in the tank? A bubble stone perhaps?
- Doug
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- My SetUp: 1984: 90 gal. saltwater, O'Dell tank, Oceanic Systems cabinet stand, (2) Perfecto 48" strip lights with Vita-Lite Power Twists, Aqualogy Bio-Grade Plus Undergravel filter, (2) Hagen Aquaclear 800 power heads, Eheim 2217 canister filter with Chemi-Pure, Hawaiian Marine Angstrom 2537 UV sterilizer
Re: Red/Brown stuff on plants and rocks?
Yes, anything that will agitate the surface of the water. Oxygen enters the water when the water's surface tension is broken due to atmospheric air pressure being greater than water pressure. It doesn't have to be strong bubbling. It also could be as little as redirecting a powerhead's or filter's output to ripple the surface, if it's not doing so now.stwim wrote:A bubble stone perhaps?
- Gerwin
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Re: Red/Brown stuff on plants and rocks?
and to add to some fixes
*reduction of lighting period
*use of RO water for top off and water changes
*and use of phosphate removing resins in your filters
we sell RO water for .25 per gallon,
and have the Resins to do that as well for your filter
*reduction of lighting period
*use of RO water for top off and water changes
*and use of phosphate removing resins in your filters
we sell RO water for .25 per gallon,
and have the Resins to do that as well for your filter