REMOVE Brown Algae from your Aquarium by DOING THIS!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you for stopping by. For more fish keeping tips and tricks check out these playlists: For more fish keeping videos with tricks, tips and hacks, check out these playlists: For "My Best Fish Keeping Tips" click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoDLeItfzOiRG8DV-1W9qNX4 For tips and tricks with Fluval FX canister filters go here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD For tips and tricks with SunSun canister filters go here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCiMWEpBFJFJGxTqJH_MdMg For videos on water changes and controlling nitrates, click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCdEYkD0rQa0OWejFk5-bHD For videos on general canister filter maintenance, click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoA-6pu7lFTc_D6idLKGCE2j My Top 10 most popular videos of all time: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoBdSWOkNg1Roe2M47dP9Mva

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

Algorithm fed ya to me! Sub'd! I'm a noob to the aquarium hobby but it's now consuming all my thought because i dream of a big beautiful aquarium in my house but i have so much to learn about everything! Thanks for the channel!

[@Ateesrocker]

Where is the link to the article?

[@GriffsFish]

Im fighting the good fight now 60 gall goldfish black sand with java fern and amazon sword i have nerite snails but the brown algea keeps on commin im boosting lighting and gonna do a extra water change going forward

[@axelcarin2765]

Clear and precise information. I watch (only shortly) so many videos, where there's so much irellevant talk and nonsense, it takes 5 minutes to get to the topic. This is way better. I watch many of your videos and all are great. Thank you

[@RevofOne]

Oh the light thing was my failure. I did just what you mentioned and cut my light intensity and time back. You are the GOAT, Ben!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Rob (but I’m far from being the GOAT🤣

[@RevofOne]

@@BenOchart No you are! Do you recommend Phosphate removers?

[@biggrigg1026]

I remove the decor and soak them in a mix of hot water and white vinegar and a hot water rinse. I never have to scrub them. All the algae comes right off and the decor looks as good as new.

[@BenOchart]

Good tip!

[@MsVicki73]

How long do you soak for?

[@BamaShanks]

What’s the approximate ratio?

[@s-aiden9329]

Well I'd say not to do the white vinegar as this will kill all of the beneficial bacteria just non cloranted water and toothbrush or sponge that you use to clean the tank.

[@sed6]

I started getting brown algae after I added floating plants which block my light. I'll thin them out or increase the light intensity. Great tip.

[@daveyelian]

Thanks Ben and I'm glad I found your channel. I've been watching a lot of aquarium videos for the past couple of months because I just recently got back into the hobby after I stopped keeping fish about 40 years ago. I added a couple of new fish to my 125 yesterday and while I was watching them, I noticed my gray rocks had a brown film on them. After watching your video, I'm thinking I might be a little guilty for slightly overfeeding my fish and I learned a couple of things too. About 2 weeks ago, I added some live plants to my tank and everyday since then, I've been scooping up small bits of plant debris that's floating around my tank....sometimes big pieces. I've noticed some fish nibbling on plants from time to time. I didn't know that fish even ate plants. I also noticed a lot of plant debris stuck on the intakes of my filters and thanks to your video, I now know that lots of plant debris in the water could be where the algae is coming from. AND....after watching dozens of videos in the past saying that sand was a way better substrate than gravel, especially for live plants, I went with sand. Thanks for letting me know that this could be one of the causes as well. It seems that I have pretty much created the perfect environment for this stuff to grow in and didn't even know I was doing it. I wish in all those videos I watched over the past couple of months some of those people would have gave their opinion and the said "...but..." . Like "Use sand. It's way better than gravel BUT the silica in the sand might cause brown algae." Or "Put soil under your sand for healthier plants in your tank BUT tannins might leech into the water causing it to turn brown." Yes, that happened to me too. Two days after putting water in my tank for the first time, it turned dark brown. I finally got it back to normal but now I have this diatom problem. I followed a lot of people's advice but had no idea of the "side effects" or consequences of doing so. That's my rant for the day, lol. Thanks again for your info.

[@BenOchart]

Keep going and you will overcome all of these issues and and end up with a crystal clear tank!

[@thepenetrator2006]

I prefer it showing up . I like to know the stages. My recent newish tank is now on hair algae stage and its showing going away now. Taken about 4 months to get to that now the desirable coraline algae is coming through. I do understand there are ways to get rid of all the stages but like you say natural is best. The only thing i add at the green water green algae stage is uv filter clears that cloudy green water up at the stage. Great advice ben . Enjoy your move!

[@scottbarlow3023]

Mate, just subscribed - you have an easy going nature and full of information and don't shout the message out - very good presentation style - definitely going to help my diatom problem Cheers from Australia!!

[@lyndsaymorris4588]

Thank you so much. I am on month 6 with brown alge in my 37 gallon. I'm definitely going to take all of your advice. I have 4 other tanks and have never had this problem before.

[@jessmedina3646]

Thanks you for the info. Always learning something new.

[@joserimarroska9259]

I like simple content like this....no bullshit straight to the point......you've just got a new subscriber...👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 keep on fishin

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Jose!

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

Absolutely.

[@sasakahrimanovic9385]

Thank you Ben, I find this very informative, I been trying to find solution to this problem as I like to see my tank clean and brown algae’s also gross me out and I am always worried for health of my fish(I am new to fish tanks not much experience) so I always feel guilty for safety of my Betta fish when those algae show up so now I know what to do and will do more often sand cleaning and a bit deeper and change water more often. Thank you Ben for this video🙏👍

[@Eden_Rivers]

Increase the light is the opposite of what I assumed, so great tip. I'm dealing with this in my ten gallon platy tank, and it's been this way for about a month, and pretty much started right after the tank cycled. I have scraped it a few times, but I'm going to increase water changes to see if that helps. Thank you!

[@spooky3669]

Put your tank a few hours in direct sunlight and see what happens. (spoiler alert: diatoms disappear like snow in the sun)

[@MyNameIsAge84]

Thanks for this! My tank is just over 3 months old now, fully cycled and I'm having a brown algae outbreak. Absolutely horrible to look at so these tips will come in handy!

[@BenOchart]

I hope you see results.

[@cynthiapaulmorales5928]

Thank you! I dimmed the light thinking it would help get rid of the brown algae, but now I see that makes it worse! So light is brighter again and I'm off to do another partial water change and vacuuming :)

[@davidmccann2633]

I find that it grows mostly on the back round closer to the lights I have fitted to my lid , I was shocked to hear it doesn't like light ,, It definitely grows closer to the lights in my tank

[@markrutter2175]

Hi live in England and just got my first tank and got brown alge thanks for your advice

[@michael-ev5fk]

Hey Ben, hope your relocation is going well, I love your channel and have learned a lot from you. I had a real bad case of brown algea, diatoms, 6 months after setting up a 200g African Cichlid tank. After some Google, KZbin work and a visit to MLF store I had some information to work with. First reduce fish food a bit, bigger water 💧 change, from 25% to 50%, added 1 standard pleco and a Marineland micron intank pleated filter. No more diatoms after a month. Thanks for your information. Keep up the good work.

[@spidythe]

From my experience getting brown algae in a new setup is quite common and nothing to worry about. Slowly the algae will go away by itself as the tank ages and gets more beneficial bacteria. I think there's no need to hyper react to every visible change in the tank, just try not to overfeed and have patience.

[@kiki-drawer2669]

Thank you. I was so worried but I'll be sure to see how this plays out for a year while I manage the spreading of it. This is my first planted tank with soil so I think it makes sence its started up in the tank. Thank you!

[@CaptainDCap]

@@kiki-drawer2669 Diatom bloom starts about 2 weeks into a new tank cycle, and the diatoms in your tank will generally fade away completely within the first two months after that. Just hang in there :)

[@Hobbit_At_Heart]

How long can it last for? I e been fighting this brown junk for almost 3 months and sometimes I swear it blooms overnight to be everywhere & I have to use a turkey baster to suck it out

[@spidythe]

I think it took around 2 months for the brown algae on my tank glass surface to turn into green algae, which is great for the shrimps in my tank. The brown algae wasn't stringy, it looked like layer of thick dust on glass. I'd suggest trying simple ideas in this video (less feeding, frequent water changes). I'd also suggest putting couple of stems of Pothos plant in your tank (leaves stay out of tank) and the stem will quickly grow roots in water, it's sold everyhere. In my experience it cleans water very well. For my 25 gallon tank I replace around 2 litres of water every couple of days, so that's around 1% water replaced each day by volume, or about 10% each week). This has worked for me for years now.

[@KlikAndSeuss]

Ben always great advice my tank is mature about a year old now and everything is covered definitely trying to rid my tank of it. Seeing as I have mbuna snails are out. I. Gling to just increase lighting g for the next week or so and hopefully the green stuff will show and my mbuna will do the clean up all of my rock filters etc are covered in it. Getting my wc and filter maintenance done today! Hopefully it'll help. I've had suspension my light is the cause as I have it on a lower setting im going to out it to max for around 8-9 hours a day to speed up the process. Thanks again.

[@Fathernsonadventures]

I have some brown but I vacuum once or twice a week trying to get all food and waist out, I always make sure there is no dead fish several times a day. I even scrub all the hard scape with a new toothbrush so far its helping keep it under control but I still find it on some fake plants and on a few of my amazon swords. Idk if its fausfates or what. But I use filtered water for my tank and always make sure my fish are fed but after every feeding I use a syringe with some air tubing to remove as much extra food and detritus as I can. Ps sorry about my spelling I know I miss spelled words but I have never been very good with proper grammar, spelling and the english language as a whole. Even though I'm an American lol. Thanks public school.

[@steverogers4031]

My experience has been that increasing the amount of water changed whether by volume or by frequency does not help much to eliminate brown algae. The brown algae keeps coming back. Most likely this is because the tap water I'm adding has either silicates or phosphate. Filtering the water with a Poly Filter by Poly-Bio Marine Company helps remove these pollutants and makes it much harder for brown algae to grow. My experience shows that brown algae actually likes low intensity light such as a couple hours of late afternoon sun.Increase that light and the green algae would probably take over. However, remove all direct light and brown algae grows very slow. I'm NOT talking about keeping the tank in the dark. Just not having a light on the tank and zero exposure to any direct sunlight makes conditions on my tank where it is very hard for any algae to grow at all.

[@PazLeBon]

One real advantage we have now compared to say 30 years ago is rodi systems :)

[@mahevishtazeen1979]

Hey cap!!

[@slimsaiyan4215]

Thanks for the video Ben.

[@corydoras8580]

I moved from Kentucky to Montana set up all new aquarium with in a week I had the worst case of brown algae I have ever seen in 30 years of keeping fish. Discovered high silicate was in the water source. I had to switch to RO water to get it under control.

[@stephenclements6632]

Increase the light?? Thought it was the opposite. Great information!

[@BenOchart]

Green algae will rob the diatoms of nutrients with more light. Brown algae (diatoms) does well in low light.

[@alanreymercado2665]

i tend to disagree with this. because all of my brown algae are on my hardscape that bathe directly from the aquarium light, those that are in the shadow, nada. and they also do the pearling stuff when lights are turned ON.

[@xnightxwingx]

@@loreall.2461 I also recently changed to a Fluval LED light with white blue and green colors and experienced the brown explosion. Did you ever find a solution?

[@Boss-zo4lw]

I did not know about the light, ive cut my light down so time to go back up! I got so much of it now and esp all over my Anubias

[@aquahobbiest43]

Thanks,so water changes for the main solution for the diatoms

[@kevinh4471]

If you're having problems with brown algae in your plants use a toothbrush to lightly brush it away 👌🏻 also a 15% water change per day will help . and use algae remover (if you can) if you are having a bloom

[@TeamSukiyo]

I have been dealing with this problem for more than 5 years, without a working solution.

[@Scrapla1]

I had it all over my anubis plants attached to my driftwood. I finally just removed the driftwood and manually wiped the brown junk off the plants because nothing else worked.

[@frankdegroot1451]

Thanks Ben,great video. Sleepless nights because mine brown algea.a lot of cleaning and i WON!

[@lxix1067]

The silicate thing is what I think applies to me. I moved out to a more rural area and am on a well. Going to look more into this! Thank you!

[@BenOchart]

Not an easy thing to get completely under control.

[@CaptainDCap]

In case you still need an answer to this problem: Most people that have high concentrations of silicate in their water source use a reverse osmosis apparatus to remove it.

[@Clarita98]

Thanks! I will try this soon. I have gravel and had diatoms since pretty much the beggining (since october so 10 months). I will deep clean my decor and my gravel this weekend see if that helps :) My nitrates are not high (I do 40% water change every 2 weeks and my nitrates never get higher than 30) but I will see if this helps

[@BenOchart]

That should help. Don't touch your filters when doing a deep gravel and decor cleaning. It might upset the beneficial bacteria too much and create a spike in ammonia.

[@jerryscott4316]

Very good, easy to understand teaching techniques. Thanks Bob !

[@jerryscott4316]

Ben, not Bob. Sorry

[@BenOchart]

You’re welcome Jerry😀👍🏻

[@nicolero8130]

I am doing a Walstad experiment, i put dirt into a jar, added some marble gravel and covered it with a layer of river gravel. I also put in some plants. Now is the third week and my jar and gravel are covered with those diatomic algae. Organics from the rotting dirt plus silicates from river pebbles plus my plants are not fully rooted yet, all this gives way to brown algae.

[@anishmohan3122]

HI is it under control now ? and how long does it take im facing the same issue with my walstad tank now

[@nicolero8130]

@@anishmohan3122 hi, no, this experiment failed because the water started to smell not good. Later I learned how to do it on Father Fish channel. It must be soil (dirt) covered with sand, not pebbles. Or can be soil, covered with pebbles and sand on top. the layer of sand must be 1-2 inches. Then the water will be clear. You can cover your substrate with a layer of sand. Just throw it in water, it will go down on the bottom. no need to remove plants.

[@anishmohan3122]

Thank a lot :)

[@StandingLast1]

Great video, I am experiencing this issue and bough 2 Nerite snails and they have been working hard already!

[@repsej74]

One tip is to use boiling water(for a few minuttes) on decor and then put it back. After a few days in the aquarium the algae is gone. Thanks for another great video :)

[@PazLeBon]

Thtas just a clean up,not really a fix, one need to fix the cause,not the affect

[@michaela.257]

Hi. I tried your advice and used boiling water on the decor, however the fish all died. I think maybe it was too hot for them.

[@patricfoord7126]

looks like someone below poured boiling h2o into the aquarium with the fish still in it? so they died??? duh???? I use just boiling water poured onto the plants pre-doused with vinegar and lying flat in a sink bowl, then brush them carefully with dish scrubber, leave for a few mins, the plastic plants will sag , so before cold water rinse arrange them as you want the soft plastic to reset when cold. Rinse, Diatoms gone. I also keep a spare set of plants to make the messing around in the tank as short as possible, and it rings the changes for the goldfish by giving different surroundings. Keep doing this with water changes and gravel vac and the prob goes away eventually, even with phosguard it can take a long time. .

[@repsej74]

@@patricfoord7126 I'm sure he is joking. It's only for decor, rock, woods and so on and of course you will have to take it out of the tank first . It's easy and quick fix for that, but will not solve the underlying algae problem.

[@KingAdams90]

Very well informative Ben. Thank you!.

[@kimberlyd2308]

This is perfect timing for me!!!

[@LuV2SPDup]

I tried your advice by leaving the light on for 7 hours, 3 and 4 hours intervals instead of 4 only and I started to have slightly more brown algae, even with less feeding. Was feeding 3 times a week, but now feed the and but less portions. I have wavemakers running everyday for twice a day, 4 hours each so I hardly see any waste just on my sand because they always float and get picked up by 2 canister filters and one HOB. I still get brown algae, even though the nitrates are less than 20ppm at the end of the week when I do water change. All this has been going on the past 2 months. The tap water phosphate is high. I put seachem PhosGuard in my HOB, will try putting it in the canister filter. I also seen a video where someone said that the "Malawi buffer" from seachem can cause phosphate. Also, many KZbin videos by experienced fish keepers say the light causes brown algae, not just green. 90% of my aquarium knowledge is from you, thanks.

[@ryanmcgeown4170]

Did you ever get this sorted? I've had the same issue for about a year. I found that more light made more brown algae

[@Juno7325]

just started with this problem in a 60l tank, will let the light have more time and I put an extra filter in the tank, I've vacuumed the tank and taken my décor out for now , My fish have been put into a bigger tank that is fine. I intend to starve the Algae and use light mainly hopefully I can get rid of it soon I will wash my Décor in water and white vinegar let it dry out Im new to fish keeping but watch your videos and read the comments thank you ..............

[@westsenkovec]

I have brown algae in my turtle tank. It's not a fresh setup and I started getting it after a few months of the same lighting setup. I have 4 hours of LED light and 8 hours of UV basking light. I only get it underneath the basking area that's the brightest part of the aquarium. I change water once a week and I crub the wall and the bottom that's the closest to the basking light and it doesn't take over the tank.

[@tillz63]

gee, I guess I have been doing this all wrong - I kinda like "algae" on my river rocks. I have a 75 that has been running for 17 yrs. I have a crushed coral and natural gravel mix (maybe too deep). The tank is lightly stocked, currently with 2 white lips, an old female Front from a previous setup, a female dragon blood and 2 synodontis cats. Running an fx4 and aquaclear 110 HOB. My lights run 7 hrs a day and I religiously change out 20 gallons a week. The reason I never considered the algae a problem is I like to watch the fish (particular the cats) eat it, lol. You'll see the "algae" in on my last video. I'm going to try more light, higher volume of water change and less food. Thanks!

[@egserrano19]

Thank you for the tips !!! Wishing you the best from Costa Rica !!!

[@MarcusOatman]

Thank you for this video!

[@shaeskye653]

Been battling brown algae in my established tank I hope this helps

[@frankf178]

Excellent explanation…!

[@rondroider8904]

Contrary to what you just said that diatoms thrive in low light, my experience is that they thrive more on highlight. I cut down my lighting from 100% down to 50% and poof! Diatoms gone.

[@quadzilla26b]

Cheers uncle!

[@RJVortex]

Thank you Ben for acknowledge us about algae. God bless you :)

[@martyborst5645]

Greetings Ben. I liked this video. I recently purchased a scrubber that cleans off the inside of the glass. I already used it but wow was it expensive. Starting today I will put your advice into practice and keep my glass cleaner as a back up. I always learn something from you. As you say “always be learning”. Have a great day. 👍🐠

[@TxTiger23]

Ok so I keep getting contradicting answers. So, from everyone’s experience on here, do y’all really think increasing the Diatom’s light intake will help kill it? Or will it make it worse? I have a saltwater tank and even after my water changes the Diatoms return. I’m so fed up with them. 💆‍♂️💆‍♂️Should I also maybe check my phosphate levels and add phosphate reducer just in case? Any advice helps. Thanks!

[@alyssa0411]

It’s hard when you’ve found yourself caught in a cycle of being told not to do many water changes because adding fresh water keeps a bacterial bloom coming back. But then you have green algae that needs lower light and then this brown fuzzy stuff that needs more light. I have all of this going on. I don’t know what to do.

[@michellecarter01]

I've got a pretty specific problem. My primary question is how do I remove the algae on live plants? The brown algae is only on my Anubias, which unfortunately likes low light. I introduced some higher light plants so increased my light intensity. I have an LED full spectrum light which is on an 8hr timer and the tank is out of direct sunlight. My Anubias is really suffering and I'm assuming it's b'c of the higher light. The brown algae appears after water changes which would lead me to believe that I have high phosphate levels in my water but since it only appears on my Anubias I not convinced. If anyone has had this experience I would really appreciate any feedback. Thank you in advance.

[@GenXHeart]

Me running to turn the tank lights back on... thank you!

[@sarahputman1898]

Thank you! I've had too much green and now too much brown! I just added live plants and its trying to coat them. I will try this out.

[@martinmercerjr8615]

I have a question, I just bought dwarf frogs and put them in a 5 gallon tank, that I normally use for cichlids fry. It is an established fish tank. Since I started using dwarf frogs food, I am getting brown algae, why? What is frog pallets made of?

[@lindawilliams7264]

Does it have to go in the filter can i hang the phosguard in the water directly

[@BenOchart]

You can but you'll get a better result if water is being forced through it.

[@VinnysAquatics]

Great job as always Ben 👍 good luck on the move 😃

[@bourst]

My nitrates is near zero. Nitrates and ammonia are zero. I feed no more than is finished in 1-2 minutes. I have a number of plants in the aquarium. Lighting running 8 hrs or less. I have a sponge for silicates. My tank is 5 years old and started struggling with brown algae only since changing from goldfish to discus. I’d appreciate any input.

[@DivinityinLove]

I don't see the article link for which snails eat it? You mentioned some articles which explain in detail

[@brianmarshall1762]

I haven’t been this early since I could pre order for the bible.... Also that’s some great tips Ben. I have a couple of tanks really suffering from algae and the tanks next to them are not effected. It now makes some sense.

[@tonyfreeman1222]

Does this brown owl? It's all over the veil and it looks like roots. Can you help me please

[@bobfre1]

You mentioned an article that you were going to link at 3:22 I see lots of affiliate links, but no article with information. Has it been removed?

[@alekjuskevice]

Thank you sir!

[@ncartsyfartsycraftsandsuch]

do you have video for green algae and best plants to help with algae

[@Snakue]

My once beautiful planted tank was attack by a brown hard algae my snails couldnt destroy it i even tried scrubbing it thanks for the tips

[@tonyfreeman1222]

Does this brown algae grow on plants? It's all over Mine, I Thought my plants were growing roots but don't think so.

[@jessicamcintyre2332]

Thank you man

[@BenOchart]

You're welcome!

[@plantadventure1882]

My 32.5 gallon is 3 weeks old. Noticed first signs of brown diatoms yesterday. If they feed off nitrates and phosphates, I'm just gonna roll with them for a minute and let them have at it.

[@BenOchart]

Actually a good sign with a new tank. It’s supporting life 😀👍🏻

[@treasuringpricelesstime5962]

Same tank size and also brown diatoms in my 2.5 week new tank. Any suggestions?

[@41keystar14]

I got it when I put salt in to the tank it’s not necessary bad, I’d take the diatoms over an ammonia spike any day of the week. Not bad just ugly, a sign of a maturing tank pushing towards balance. I consider it a thresh hold determining whether you’re diligent enough to own an aquarium.

[@kevinheilman4149]

I have a 75 gallon with a huge Brown Algae problem. I have tried everything and so far no results. My lights are on 12 hours per day and I don't have any green algae. Maybe I should keep the lights on for a couple days straight to try and get green algae to take over until the brown is under control. I have 2 nerite snails(they eat some of the brown algae), 3 zebra loaches and 2 Siamese algae eaters that should take care of the green. This tank is mid tech with lots of plants and CO2, but has only been set up for about 8 months. One thing I have noted is that Cherry Shrimp will devour the algae in no time, but the bigger fish(1 angel, 1 electric blue acara) will eat them. I also have a 29 gallon full of cherry shrimp with zero brown algae, lots of plants and no CO2. I think my local tap water has silica or phosphate in it. Anytime I move a decoration or small plant covered in brown algae from the 75 to the 29, the cherry shrimp clean it up in a couple hours. So for anyone who has cherry shrimp friendly fish, this may be a solution. Just be aware that if you have males and females, you will end up with 100s of cherry shrimp in a few months.

[@vonholley]

Whenever I have a problem I know I can find help here! Thanks as always!

[@srimessiah5596]

What snails or fishes I can use that can remove the brown algae? Because you knw I’m a busy guy don’t really have time to focus on this. My tank is just 1:1:1 ratio. A nano tank

[@pacu1424]

I have hillstream loaches. I tried to get algae growing on purpose. But it literally took over 100% OVERNIGHT. Will frequent water changes destroy the entire colony/food source for hillstream?

[@trentwalsh8168]

Yes!!!! Having this stage in my current new tank, soooo ugly, but itll pass in time

[@Latinos4Trump]

Has it yet?

[@trentwalsh8168]

@@Latinos4Trump yeah

[@anishmohan3122]

how long does that took ?

[@trentwalsh8168]

@@anishmohan3122 few months :)

[@anishmohan3122]

@@trentwalsh8168 thanks for your reply man ! :)

[@AnnieSantomassimo]

Great vid... thank you

[@fishville62]

If the minerals that Diatoms are feeding on R in your Tap water Then a water change may not help You will simply be giving them more food

[@pammcnary]

What’s the difference between diatoms, dietritis, molm & hair algae? I think I’m struggling with all the above in a new uncycled tank that is fishless. Only some java fern & anubias. I have the light on only 4 hrs a day, only for the plants. Oh and I also have that fungus on my mopani wood that was soaked, boiled. I am so frustrated! I keep doing water changes, added beneficial bacteria, & a filter w sponge/media, & air stone…😫

[@pammcnary]

Seems like everything I do to help in one area, makes others worse…

[@shababhsiddique]

i have same problem does it work if i increase duration of light without changing it? or do i get a higher power light?

[@deeeeeeps]

Had my big fish die and left the tank idle for a year it turned brown. I vacuumed my tank. I bought snails and Otocinclus and siamese algae eaters...and they would just float to the top and most died within days. I tested everything and couldn't figure it out (my test kit didn't include phosphate) The fish would scrape off the algae and not eat it all and it would decay causing more phosphate, snails don't like phosphate. I've been vacuuming out my gravel now for 3 weeks every few days its improving but needs a lot more work...at least my remaining snail is happy and moving again. Also my remaining siamese algae eaters looks very happy. If your fish are dying and you have this brown algae make sure phosphate is below 1ppm and better if under .5 ppm The Siamese algae eaters make my tank the cleanest it's ever been. I only have 2 for a 55 gallon. Highly suggest adding some.

[@jaimehartman5100]

You said you would put a link to an article??? Where is the link?

[@rahulpawartube]

Did you said "Increase the light??????" first time i heard that it need low light, Does it really works. From last 2 years i am fighting with this brown algae....

[@BenOchart]

The theory is that extra light will favor green algae which will out compete for nutrients and starve the brown algae

[@rahulpawartube]

@@BenOchart Ok....but as i experienced it was opposite whenever i brighten the light my tank diatom increased at 2x speed. I have fluval 2.0 light and my 6 hours intensity is 6% for white and 100% RGB. it is hardly any light. Still i get diatom. I am also using Seachem phosguard in my cansiter filter. Still no use....I am surrendered to DIATOM.... Nature alwasy wins haha

[@hansandersson1155]

Otocinclus will do the jobb, get a shoal of them and in a couple of hours or days, depending on the tanksize it's all gone. Add some fastgrowing plants as well to keep phosphates and nitrates away.

[@thebuzz2010]

How many ottos for 125 litre tank?

[@ekmett]

@@thebuzz2010 Usually otos have trouble eating the brown stuff and only go in for the softer green algae, glad to hear it worked for you, though!

[@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!

[@anthonyruth5606]

My bristlenose pleco never had issues eating brown algae

[@MrPaulmilk]

I had brown algae in one of tanks but it to green algae my has it but its bad I was turning the lights of great tips on here today hope it turns green 🌳

[@anthonybrown6511]

I never put fish in my tank yet and it's has the brown stuff all over my rocks plants. how is the best way to get ride of it befor I put my fish in

[@BenOchart]

Plecos, Siamese algae eaters and/or oto cats

[@tucker9375]

Hi ive just set up a new 5ft tank 4 weeks ago i have haps/peacocks and ive just ended up getting this brown algae, you mentioned pleco can a plec go in with haps and peacocks ?

[@brianskies]

How many hours per day do you leave your light on? And how is the natural lighting where your aquarium is located when the aquarium light is off? Like does it get any natural light from the sun whether its direct or indirect sunlight? This brown algae is crazy and spreads so fast.. It is the only thing that I hate about aquariums :| My 75G has been up for about 3 months. Is this a normal timing for this brown algae? I do water changes weekly

[@satguy]

Control blue light.

[@terrynelson3365]

I have heavy brown algae problems. I have tried bleach and it only faded it. Hot water, no effect. Water changes little effect. Increased light only added green algae. What can I do?

[@stephanie1733]

Thank you

[@anthonyruth5606]

Goes nuts

[@mikemcguinness1662]

Ben: what water testing kit do you use?

[@terrialtman3298]

I have been fighting this stuff for a long time. And have tried everything. The only thing that worked was a complete tear down and letting my 75 gallon and all ornaments sit outside for a year. However in my stupidity I forgot about it and when I transferred my Pleco back to the larger tank I brought some of the water...for the natural bacteria, I reintroduced the brown slime (diatomes) with it. I reinfected my tank. Since the only way I've been able to control it is with a pond treatment chemical, which I don't like to use because I don't believe it's really healthy for my tropical fish. I have a high death rate with everything except tetras. I have since ordered a water filter system that includes a UV light, I am waiting for it's arrival as I write this, I pray that it works! Otherwise I will either continue the pond treatment chemical or do a complete tear down and let it sit for another year. 😪

[@BenOchart]

What a nightmare. The water doesn’t really contain any significant amount of BB. I had a green pleco once that cleaned up brown algae.

[@terrialtman3298]

@@BenOchart mind won't touch it, I even quit feeding him for a bit and he still didn't eat it.

[@terrialtman3298]

I should add that I inherited the tank from a friend who has since passed. She had pond fish an would bring them in during the fall of the year and take them back out in the spring. The tank was empty when I got it but not completely dry. I've had it since I got the tank. After I couldn't get rid of I then tore it down and left it out for a year.

[@IDMRPodcast]

All of the tanks that I have fieldstone and crushed coral in, gets diatoms. I wonder if those have something to do with it 🧐

[@77isaacpismo77]

Been having brown algae for at least 6 months its very irritating. The Phosguard didn't do much only thing I haven't tried is increase lighting. I leave the light on 8 hours day by a timer. I will be trying 12 hours now

[@destryl1076]

I already have my lights set on high with my fluval 3.0 plant light and still have some brown algae building up on my red dragon rocks, and I think I can ser it growing on my jungle val as well but I thought by doing more water changes in a newly cycled tank, that would kill off the benificial bacteria present in the tank? Any thoughts please? Also I do have pebble gravel too

[@BenOchart]

Water changes will not kill BB since very little of it is in the water column. On the contrary, When setting up a tank too many large water changes will inhibit the BB since you’re removing the ammonia needed to feed them. Try some phosphate removing pads from the Aquarium Co-op

[@cooldudesjce]

Where is the link ?

[@dwoo8805]

I have algae on the silicone of my 40gal tank not lots but annoying and can’t get it out now I’m getting brown junk, I have 2 goldfish no substrate no plants. I don’t want a pleco the one I had ate one of my big fish. I thought the brown was coming from the algae and have been told to cut light! I’m at my wits end I really can’t shake the green at all and the brown junk shows up within 2 days of a water change which I do 2 times a week now. I have an eheim canister 600 much bigger than I need and 2 sponge filters any ideas? Thanks love the video

[@BenOchart]

Interesting, as mentioned in the video, less light will reduce green algae but you'll end up with more brown algae. More light might be better since it will encourage the green algae which will then take over and kill off the brown algae. You might have to much phosphate in your water. This is common in newer tanks and eventually settles down on its own. You can buy products, like Aquarium Co-op has phosphate pads that you can insert in your filter. That might help.

[@dwoo8805]

@@BenOchart thank you I forgot to mention this tank is 6 yes old now and I also clean out the Eheim every two weeks because of the issues I’ve had. I will try to pad to see if it helps and I’m going to get another water testing kit. I appreciate the info and that you actually answered.