How to Remove Brown Algae/Diatoms from the Aquarium

How to remove diatoms from the aquarium or fish tank. How to remove brown algae from the fish tank.

[@jroc01]

Dislike is from diatoms.

[@crazytutorials1163]

I have never felt so good about my tanks before thank you bro my respect for you📈📈📈

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Glad you're feeling good!

[@4SunnyinMiami2]

Thank you for the info. I have a 29 gallon reef with an Aquatop canister filter. I will be putting Phosguard in soon.

[@stephensatnik5340]

Good information, I love the video. "...they kinda look like dipen' dots.. yeah dont eat em".

[@donniebrazis]

Awesome video, broken down quickly to what I need to understand, new sub

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Thanks Donnie!

[@sparkyjones560]

Just saying diatoms use silacates to build their outer shell, like a snail uses calcium to build their shell. You don't get a diatom bloom from silicates, just like you don't get overrun with snails from exta calcium alone. It's the nutrients, phosphates and nitrates that cause the bloom. You can kill off diatoms, or shorten their lifespans without silicates, just like snails won't thrive without calcium, but the root cause is excess waste and excess nutrients and an imbalance that the diatoms are trying to correct for.

[@quadzilla26b]

Your smart! Thank you for the info!!!

[@missmoo9813]

Thanks, I've had three traumatic months of trying to get set up for some neon tetras 🙈😂 appreciate it 😊

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Hope it worked for ya!

[@soonerfan1675]

Thank you so much for your advice. I have a freshly cycled 60 gal. that was covered in the fine brown powder. No fish yet because just as I got it cycled, everything shut down and there's no livestock that I'm interested in right now. As the video states, cleaning just moves it to a different location for another bloom the next day. I have found some success in brushing the rocks and glass and getting it all stirred up and then running the UV light for a few hours. That will knock it back for a day or two but always returns. I put the PhosGuard in the SunSun canister only four days ago, along with a 50 micron polishing pad, and I'm already seeing a reduction in diatoms. My tap water tests at higher than my aquarium. I'm trying to think of a way to put PhosGuard in some sort of bag that would hang with the Python and treat the tap water as it goes in the tank.

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

I am happy to hear that this solution worked for you! I hope your aquarium goes wonderfully once you put fish in it.

[@user-co4nw9zv3f]

Thanks this helped alot

[@JoeNocella]

I have the same setup - 75g & Fluval FX-4. I'm also running an Aqueon canister, large sponge filter & two powerheads. I'm have large seiryu rocks which get covered in diatoms every 10 days or so. My plants are covered w/diatoms, I'm getting sick of this problem and I hope this PhosGuard helps. After I saw this video a few days ago, I added PhosGuard & Purigen. The tank is only four months old. I'd get rid of the rocks but my red parrot cichlids like to go inside them as I built caves with them. I'm hoping the PhosGuard & Purigen will help.

[@maxadamson5426]

Awesome! I hope it helps.

[@englelisa45]

Did it help?

[@rileyfonce371]

Thanks i will try this.

[@igenyar]

Nice info, thank you! I will test and see if it works for my tank. Regarding water flow, I see brown algae grow all over my overflow box where the flow is the strongest. So I tend to feel it doesn't really help, anyway only my 2c.

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Thanks for the reply. Fair point. I do think that flow helps, maybe there is a tiny dead spot on the overflow where the diatoms are?

[@sandrarogers4899]

Thank you! This is exactly what i needed. I have never at brown algae in my tank. And googled to find out what it was. I did clean everything in the tank and changed water. I put the phos-zorb in the filter. I notice today brown algae coming back. Is there anything else I can do? I have had a tank since 1991 and shocked about the brown algae.

[@MK-qu2rm]

유용한 정보 감사해요!! :)

[@1domcouk]

Great vid! Would you wait until your fish tank has cycled before using phosguard or can you use it straight away? Thanks

[@maxadamson5426]

It should not matter at all, as this will not effect the cycle one way or the other.

[@trishroyal7532]

Thanks for the video. Can't wait to get some of this stuff to try. I do have a question...The algae in my aquarium looks to me to be a golden brown or a dark spicy mustard color. I have pool filter sand in my aquarium as a substrate. Do you think my algae is the stuff you're talking about? thanks!

[@jamesb7974]

Great video and info! Thanks for making this, I think I can say this explains the diatoms and why the best I’ve seen. I’ve had my 75g for a little over a year and have an issue with brown algae since about a month or two after starting the tank and can not get rid of it but after watching this I’m going to the pet store tomorrow! Lol. One major question though. When I put the PhosGaurd in I leave the purigen in The hang on back, correct? I’m just adding the PhosGaurd? I wouldn’t imagine I remove the purigen but figured I’d ask. Thanks again!

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Hi James! Glad you like the video. You are correct, add the phosguard, do not take any other products out of the filter, especially your media with the beneficial bacteria on it!

[@jamesb7974]

Ok thank you!

[@skintone007]

Hi, Thanks for Sharing💜💜

[@stevel4997]

I've been keeping African Cichlids for over 30 years in tanks up to 135 gallons all on well water. Recently moved and am now stuck with city water. My substrate has always been crushed coral and the rock structures I make out of styrofoam and mortar mix. Previously my lighting was flourescent but now have led's. 3 months after setting up both tanks, I now have what looks to be diatom growth that brushes off easily but only on the mid to upper water column rock structures in the AC tank.....nothing on the glass. So, the only 2 variables in my case are tap water and lighting. However, on the community tank that uses tap water and led's with pea pebbles as a substrate, there is no diatom growth, only on the 75 gallon AC tank with mortar mix rocks, tap water and led's. The 75 gallon was cycled for 4 weeks with two HOB's and an undergravel running continuously. I'm thinking that in my case I did not cycle the AC tank long enough with enough water changes to stabilise the leaching of the dissolved silcates from the mortar mix into the water. Is that a fair assumption? I hate putting chemicals into a tank (except chlorine remover) would rather let a more natural process solve the problem. I'm going to do a couple of 80 percent water changes 3 weeks apart without any other changes and report back.

[@carlytowers4800]

Here’s hoping, thanks for information

[@MrRyanchester]

Hey guys- I got a 29 gallon super basic livebearer tank. It’s my most basic set up ever- no live plants, no snails, no real rocks. It’s my “working 50 hours a week” tank- fake plants and fake rock structures and happy fat livebearers. Ran much more intricate tanks in the past but not for me right now. I have the beginning of diatoms coming in and this time will not be adding any more fish like ottos or live plants. I have some leftover “algone” pads- would algone work for diatoms if I popped some packets in my canister? Any feedback much appreciated. Thanks!

[@McAlvain]

“Kinda look like dippin dots but don’t eat them”🤣🤣🤣love it

[@patriziabeaucage258]

Thanks I'll try this!

[@rdlc3572]

Any update?

[@rdlc3572]

For brown algae

[@jijajino1]

Sir, I have a single Kamfa(Flowerhorn species) fish in my 350 liters tank. It is a cycled tank and I have an external UV light too. The UV light took care of all other algae but these brown algae would return in 5-6 days after every water change. I did not want to crash my cycle so avoided any chemicals. I use borewell water and it has a high PH value and must be having these salts. I am going to do as you explained. Should I change the canister filter sponges too or should clean the aquarium of diatoms only. Anything else I can put along for better results?

[@chrisdomenici9107]

Do you have before pictures? I’m not sure if I have the same problem in my tank.

[@PeterKnopp-ih8ie]

What tray in the canister filter is best ? Can I use this in my chemical media tray which has purigen and carbon Many thanks

[@assassin3003]

Any real difference between phosguard and phosbond?

[@crystalarchibald8625]

Thank you for putting this video out and man I wish that I would have seen it a long time ago. I am having diatom outbreak every time I turn around. I know it's poor water quality from the tap. I use sponge filters in all of my aquariums so how can I use the phosguard granules in my 75 gallon and my 150 gallon? Are there any products that you would recommend that might be a liquid? I used blasting sand for the first time and I will not ever do it again 🤣. Yeah it's 50 lb for $10 but then you have more trouble than what that little bit of savings is worth. Thanks again for your video from one fish keeper to another ❤️

[@englelisa45]

I think that's my problem. I'm using BDBS 😢

[@crystalarchibald8625]

@@englelisa45 I bought this stuff and it does work but if your aquarium is over 40 gallons and you have a serious issue, I do not suggest this. It will be way too costly!!!. Not gonna like it but do it anyway.. Drain, SCRUB everything. Use sand only as substrate. Fill with gallons of spring/bottled... Your choice. Use stability as directed especially if you have fish. Good luck

[@luthanhcrueanty1390]

Is it ok if I use phosguard with purigen in my canister filter and seachem phosphorus, potassium etc...? Because my tank, plants and rock all of them have dark grow algae and green too

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Yes absolutely, you can use this with other products such as purigen.

[@SirDavos1130]

Great video but where did you get the PhosGuard? I looked at Amazon and there are similar ones on there but not the exact one you have here in the video. The ones I saw didn't have the Aluminum Oxide Phosphate Remover on the side.

[@maxadamson5426]

I just picked it up at Petco, but I have also purchased it on Amazon. If it says PhosGuard, you should be good to go.

[@SirDavos1130]

@@maxadamson5426 Ok. Cool. It's just what he had in the video I couldn't find on Amazon. His said Aluminum Oxide on the side. Thank Max

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

@@SirDavos1130 Petco and Amazon! I am sure all PhosGuard is the same, even if Aluminum Oxide isn't on the side label. Thanks for watching!

[@SirDavos1130]

@@colorfulcichlids5651 Thank you. It has it on the side when you get it but buying it on Amazon they don't have the writing on it for some reason. All good now. Thanks

[@skyyra3456]

I bought the product and it isn't stopping the diatoms yet. I have a tiny 9g Fluval tank with plants and driftwood and the diatoms have destroyed about half my plants due to lack of light I guess when they get covered. I'm changing out water weekly and hoping eventually the few handfuls of ornamental sand I put in there run out of silica. The balls are turning brown, so I'm still hoping. If anyone has any other idea let me know please, I guess I might have to get new substrate and remove all the sand.

[@jamesb7974]

Can I ask a second question? I have it on the glass as well and I think that’s the reason I can’t get rid of it. I’ve got it off of all the substrate as well as all decorations and fake plants and the filter but when I scrape the glass it just floats away. I’ve looked up many ways to remove it from the glass itself and nothing works, it just comes back. Any suggestions or ideas? I guess the only thing I haven’t tried is to empty the tank but I don’t really want to do that.

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

When I have it on the glass, I wipe it with a paper towel to make sure it doesn’t dissolve into the water. If it keeps coming back, I am guessing you have some sort of rocks or item in your aquarium that is slowly dissolving more diatoms into the water.

[@jamesb7974]

Hey buddy, just wanted to give an update. As to your last reply, I didn’t have anything in the tank that I didn’t buy from one pet store or another BUT one of the fake plants is in a rock and after I removed everything to clean I thought about what you said and I actually think it is that rock causing the problem because o never had an issue until I bought that fake plant a couple months after I set up the tank so it’s out and won’t be going back. So I switched to purigen a few weeks ago and they got super brown super fast but after your video and getting PhosGaurd as well as some deep cleaning I very happy and excited to say my tank looks better than it ever has and is doing really well! Crystal clear water, happy fish, and no more diatoms! I also started adding the fresh water salt, not table salt, I also already had a second filter so I put it on so now I have enough flow for 150g on my 75g so it’s got much more of a water flow. Everything is doing really well and great! Unfortunately the pet stores around my area are bare of PhosGaurd and many products because the water quality in central Texas is pretty rough so I had a family member order some from amazon. I don’t use amazon. So just wanted to let you know and say thanks again because without watching your video I would have kept dealing with this and having issues but as of now everything is going really well! Take care bud!!

[@wesstaff2493]

What if I have diatoms all over my plants??.....it's going to be way too hard scrub them off the my plants, I've tried. Will the phosguard still work if I don't clean my plants first?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

The Phosguard will help, but diatoms should come off plants very easily if you rub them with a paper towel. If the “stuff” isn’t coming off with a paper towel, I don’t think it is diatoms you have on the plants?

[@Soopro88]

Great video dude. Got a sub out of me

[@Mochi88981]

How to remove the brown algae from the plant roots?

[@medleyhonki]

is it Safe for Neo-shrimp tank setup?>

[@coolspot18]

The price of Phosgard has really increased - it used ot be 6USD or 9CAD, but now seems to be going for $12USD now.

[@bayaizzy4509]

Which tray on the FX6 should I put the the Phosguard in?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

I would put it toward the top. That way most of the debris from the tank has already gotten caught by the sponges and stuff, which will allow the Phosguard to only grab the elements it needs to, and not fish poop etc.

[@kford67]

I have never had a nerite snail leave my tank. crazy!

[@theSairsoft1]

Safe for snails?

[@miguel7312]

How often do you add PhosGuard on your tank?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Typically you can leave it in there for 6months-year. You will know it is time to change the Phosguard if the granules are dark brown.

[@greygoose117]

How about for aquariums using only sponge filters?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

I do not believe this strategy would work aquariums only using sponge filters. This requires the product to be placed in a spot with quick continuous water flow (in a filter), which you don't get with sponges.

[@johncrawford1958]

My daughter has a little 5 gallon freshwater tank. I have a 300 gallon saltwater tank that has an ro/di I have been looking to see if I am able to put the de-ionized freshwater in her tank. So ro/di is ok for her tank also? And thanks for the diatoms info

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

RO/DI water is great for freshwater aquariums! I would totally recommend putting it in your daughter’s tank if you have the means to do so.

[@rahulpawartube]

on which layer we have to put this ? I have Ehiem 250 which flows from bottom to up. I have high poras filter at bottom then Medium poras and then fine filter. Above fine filter i have Bio-Home ultimate.I dont's use carbon filter. so where do i have to put the in mesh bag?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Put this right before your fine filter. You want your high poras filters to catch most of the crap before it hits the Phosguard. You could do Phosguard last, but I always like to have a fine filter last.

[@rahulpawartube]

@@colorfulcichlids5651 so in between Bio-Home Ultimate and Fine filter correct?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Rahul Pawar Correct

[@rahulpawartube]

@@colorfulcichlids5651 thanks

[@rahulpawartube]

@@colorfulcichlids5651 Thanks.... how much do require for 55 liter tank? i have brown algae on white gravel and it is hard to rub each and every gravel. how to get rid of that. every week i do vacuum gravel but after 2 days it again comes back...you think phosguard will rid of this issue?

[@petersteinmeijer519]

Oh, come on. Brown and that iridescent bluish/greenish backwall make a great combination.

[@gamegreen3674]

What do you suggest if there are diatoms all over plants in a heavily planted tank? I already took all the plants out once, but there were hundreds. I rinsed them well and replanted, but it took hours and I stressed my fish out so much by being in the tank that they got ick so now im cautious

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

I would probably take all of the plants out, wipe off all of the diatoms, clip any plants you might want to, and then put the plants back in. It shouldn’t stress the fish out too much. Also, you can always use hydrogen peroxide on the plants to help get the algae off.

[@gamegreen3674]

@@colorfulcichlids5651 thank you🙏🏼

[@josejuanrosales3614]

Wouldn't certain light spectrum trigger diatoms? I have two separate aquariums and water parameters are the same . Only difference is the light one is fluval brand and the other is One by beamworks of sum. I have diatoms with the one with the fluval

[@phwang004]

If you add phosguard would the leftover diatom that you could not clean eventually die off?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Through this method, I don’t think so. This is more to prevent diatoms from forming. But if you could try it and let us know how it works, it would be appreciated!

[@angies7279]

I did this, put In my fluval 407 & I still have this problem.

[@Chris-yb5st]

Will this stop my ability to grow green algae for my clean up crew

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

It will not. This only affects brown algae/diatoms.

[@joleneweaver7578]

Do you have to have a canister

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

A Canister Filter helps, but you can do it in an HOB filter as well.

[@mikebrown543]

Can I add this into my filter sock?

[@stevel4997]

Yes

[@adityakeer6894]

Is phosguard compatible with planted tank?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Absolutely! Phosguard has no negative impact on plants.

[@MrEugeneleo]

why not rowa?

[@vigneshkumar6649]

matrix or phosguard which is effective against diatom?? if phosguard,should i replace it often or after a particular period bro?? nd if my tank gets direct sunlight will the diatoms grow more?? please do reply i own a 450 liters tank and it's frustrating to clean all those brown algae

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Matrix is used to hold beneficial bacteria in the tank, which is different than the topic of this video. The long and the short is that phosguard and matrix do two totally different things. I have both products in my filters.

[@vigneshkumar6649]

@@colorfulcichlids5651 so I must use phosguard to control brown algae right?? if so, how much amount of phosguard should I use for 400 litres tank nd how often should i change it bro??

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

@@vigneshkumar6649 Use 85 mL (1/3 cup) for every 200 L (50 US gallons) saltwater or 400 L (100 US gallons) freshwater.

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

@@vigneshkumar6649 I'd say change it every 6 months.

[@vigneshkumar6649]

@@colorfulcichlids5651 thanks a lot bro! i appreciate your reply

[@allofatso2104]

Can I mix this with my bio media?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Yes, absolutely.

[@etcet-Era]

wait....thats rechargeable media you're throwing away. They are reuseable my friend!

[@silverkiss37]

You said the phosgaurd "leaches" phosphates and silica. But that would be bad because it would mean it adds these and feeds the diatoms. Did you mean it ABSORBS phosphates and silica? Or am I just confused about what "leach" means?? 🧐🤔😅

[@bidz702]

Probably meant leaches *out* those things

[@kkerr5775]

i have a question. how would i place in a 10g aio tank with very soft waterflow due to being a crappy tank?

[@mr.trickschannel7396]

is there a way to add this if you are running a sponge filter?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

You could put the phosguard into one of the media bags and then use a rubber band to attach the media bag around your sponge filter (on the outside). I don’t think it’s a great idea because the phosguard is going to become full of fish waste super quickly.

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Hi all. Just a PSA: On a lot of forums/reddit I see people recommend snails or fish to eat the diatoms/brown algae. This is not sustainable, as the livestock will simply poop out (into your water) the element that causes the diatoms to begin with.

[@djcichlid7746]

Wow i heard him say diatoms about 300 times😂😂😂

[@intox69]

in my case they never go away lol...

[@ran5811]

Why is it in my aquarium the diatom stick that i must scrap it off? Is it because i was keep it too long before clean it? Or because the diatom are dead? Or is it because my aquarium have unseen scratches?

[@leesutton1845]

Can you use is with plants in fish tank

[@rayzorhead]

Is this good for saltwater marine tanks?

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Yes, freshwater and saltwater.

[@skc1995]

Are these safe for discuss fish tank?

[@ak-curt6700]

Fuckin play sand 😠 Im using that bulls***! Awesome video dude thanks

[@annhill20111]

Mmmmm dip n dots are so yummy. Lol😅

[@JustBaileey]

I wouldn’t recommend using this for anyone that has a planted aquarium. Your plants require phosphate to grow. So, you’ll have to find an alternate way. Maybe, a dozen ottos lol

[@TheCRDMiller]

Changed from gravel to play sand and used table salt, added plants and local river rocks to hold them down, diatom city dammit.

[@mikhailchernyak4172]

I used a full bottle of Seachem PhosGuard in my 90-gallon freshwater aquarium. I put granules in two filters and the nylon mesh sack a month ago, but the brown algae is still alive and growing. All these recommendations from different "specialists" sounds to me like a pure lie. P.S. Yes it is easy to brush brown algae with the toothbrush, but it comes back.

[@billybilly3333333333]

I have zero Phosphates and am still getting the brown all over my tanks glass every several days--also the sand.

[@thabeardedkilla]

my water is so green and everything is covered in brown algae and my ammonia is thru the room and nothing i do is working

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Did you try the Phosguard?

[@pelhamsaquatics]

I bought a Chinese algae eater, 2 weeks later no diatoms.

[@nikolaihel848]

I bought two and they dont do a thing. Lol

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Nikolai Hel wow that’s weird, they are great tank cleaners!

[@nikolaihel848]

@@pelhamsaquatics Maybe it's just because there is so much of it. But I got two siamese algae eaters, 6 shrimp,2 clams and a snail as my clean up crew and it's all still there. It's my first tank and battling the algae is infuriating .

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Nikolai Hel make sure to do water changes about 25% every week. It will take a few weeks if it’s really bad. Congrats on your first aquarium it will get better bro👍🏻

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Nikolai Hel also I think the Chinese algae eater is better, I’ve never kept the Siamese, they are quite different. I hope it goes good for you.

[@TheJuraev]

Nice video and content but you are talking too slow brother. You could finish the video in half of the time

[@harryt988]

Is it pronounced Tomes or Toms ?

[@stevel4997]

Toms

[@kevywilliams3304]

You’re not supposed to remove them . They are a sign of first life !!!!

[@FishingWithJason1]

So does this mean its fine to have it in the tank?

[@BassManStrikes]

​@FishingWithJason , no they kill any plants. Hydrogen peroxide will do a number on them, I have used that to nuke them and then use the phosguard.

[@Nosafune]

The comment about nerites is absolutely wrong. Most of your info was good but your wrong there

[@cmdrprawn5733]

i dont think anyone has ever used table salt and had any of there fish live.. its just not a thing...

[@georgkashuba-xc3dh]

Its $26 plus tax in canada lol

[@matthewpetersen4417]

all rocks leach silica, but water has the most, 3 stage water filter just for water changes will cut this down to nothing.

[@yenriver5255]

zeolite is cheap and effective to control phosphate.

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Good point

[@no-knickers-emma1112]

Sponsored review

[@aaronwechsler4837]

good video... however I must say this... it's not "diaTOMES"... it's pronounced "diaTOMS".. othewise, nice video

[@englelisa45]

They are killing all my plants

[@jesusisoursavior2682]

wtf! where did you pit that bag show it!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Tjup]

can u stop repeating the same thing over and over, its frustrating..

[@colorfulcichlids5651]

Sure thing. Thanks for the feedback!

[@JoseRodriguez-jr7se]

Rikard Johansen azzhle don’t watch the video dumb azz

[@45stixs]

Go watch someone else you ignorant bitch

[@MinxInSinx]

You don't have wood 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@slowiedovie]

Just go to any gardening store and get phosphate fertilizer:) cheap solution

[@stevel4997]

Wrong, wrong and more wrong. DUH!

[@slowiedovie]

@@stevel4997 ok, if put more precisely, diatoms and brown algae is a result of imbalance of nutrients and/or light. So balancing all of it worked well for me. And yes, i do landscaping and yes, i do buy fertilizers and prepare them myself, but i am a chemist. Maybe not for everyone

[@robertschwartz1446]

I can't get past the pronunciation of "dia-tooms"