Brown Algae

[Bill B]

:cry:
Hi folks, newbie to site. Hope someone can help!

Main problem is brown algae.

Recently set up tank (15th Nov) after moving home.

Tank size: 48" x 18"H x 12"W.

Lighting: 3 x 40w Arcadia tubes (2 x original tropical, 1 x freshwater), on between 12 noon & 10pm.

CO2 system: Bioplast, linked with solenoid valve to lights, bubble counter set to 1&1/2 - 2 per second.

Substrate: black gravel, approx. 3" deep, 1/2" layer of Laterite 1" from bottom of tank.

Filtration: Interpet 60 with foam, ceramic tubes, JBL filter wool and activated carbon. Outlet of filter connects to CO2 reactor.

Temperature: 80 - 82 degrees.

Fish: 1 x Red tailed black shark, 1 x clown loach, 1 x banded catfish, 10 x cardinals, 2 x Boesmani Rainbows, 2 x flame tetras, 8 x small Endlers guppies.

Since setting up the tank, a light brown slimy type algae has appeared on all plants, the gravel, the glass, inside the filter outlet tube and inside the CO2 reactor.
Any advice / help would be very welcome.

Thanks.
Bill B

[Wasserpest]

Most new tanks go through a period of brown algae, after a while they disappear. That's the good news. The bad news is that most new tanks also go through a period of green water. Just to prepare you for it.
You might want to add some Otocinclus catfish, maybe 3 or 4, they love brown algae. However, for a 3 week old tank you got a lot in there already, I hope you monitor Ammonia and Nitrite and your fooshies continue to do well. Patience...

[Bill B]

I've been keeping tropical fish for more years than I care to remember and I have never had this problem like it before. I appreciate that the fish you recommend will probably help, although I would rather find out the true cause of this.... there is obviously an underlying problem. I "matured" the tank with the original filter medium (that I had in the tank before I moved home). I feel sure that the problem is either with the carbon in the filter, lack of light or incorrect type of lighting (maybe I should have used metal halide lamps or mercury vapour, I just didn't want to have lights suspended in mid-air over the tank).
Any more thoughts?

Bill B

[aquaverde]

Yes, but need the rest of your parameters. CO2 level, pH, KH, GH, nitrate level, phosphorus levels and dosing routine.

[DTs]

I think it's just something that most tanks go through. My 3-week old 90g well-planted tank is now getting a bit of golden brown algae here and there. My experience is that it goes away. Interestingly, the same thing happens in reef tanks. Or, if you put a new piece of equipment in the tank that has acrylic or something like that, it'll get brown algae on it, clear up and then never get it again.

I don't think metal halide lights will help this issue as I have a Giesemann pendant over my tank. I'm going to add a few otocinclus.

After the brown algae comes the green. My plants are growing super fast as I dose CO2 with a controller and have rich substrate (Fertiplant, Fertiplant+, and 3"-5" on top of Eco-Complete), so hopefully I can avoid any bad algae issues.