Brown algae

[GiantManLittleFish]

I know it's caused by poor water condition and some what low lighting, but water readings are fine 0, 0, 5 but I can't get rid of the stupid stuff. I think another filter will get rid of it, but in my 55 gallon I know more is better, but I tried one bigger filter and the stuff came back. Now it's on my fake plants and that's pretty annoying to clean off. Any other ideas?

[emmanuelchavez]

Diatoms - not really algae. It'll fix itself in a few months.

[GiantManLittleFish]

I know they are diatoms, but its already been over few months and it just keeps coming back like a plague.

[emmanuelchavez]

Originally Posted by GiantManLittleFish

I know they are diatoms, but its already been over few months and it just keeps coming back like a plague.

Interesting.... Have you thought of keeping a few live plants to help soak up excess nutrients? I have a piece of floating hornwort in my tanks, and it helps keep algae in check. My otos usually help keep diatoms in check too.

[GiantManLittleFish]

I don't know if otos could keep up in the cichlid tank. I'm thinking about reducing light time next.

[punkrockfish]

otos would be fine in your tank. fish usually leave them alone.

[Chris_A]

Interesting little tid bit here... Diatoms use Silicates to form their skeleton. Chances are you have some source for silicates. Poly filter made by Poly-bio Marine will remove them but unless you stop the source (whatever it is... could even be your tap water) you'll need to continue using it. I had this problem when I was living on an acreage.

[GiantManLittleFish]

It's not the tap water, the rest of my tanks don't have it.

[Chris_A]

Yeah, I don't know why but neither did mine. Out of the 8 tanks I had running at the time only 2 of them had a problem. That said though, the ground water had silicates so all the tanks did too.