Why New Aquariums Go BROWN | Fixing Brown Diatom ALGAE

Why New Aquariums Go BROWN | Fixing Brown Diatom Algae
In this video we take a look at why new aquariums get brown algae growing over everything. Brown algae is actually a diatom not a true algae. Never the less diatom brown algae is a very common occurrence in new freshwater aquarium setups. Brown algae is caused normally just by the very fact the aquarium is new and still cycling. Diatom brown algae is actually one of the first types of organism to move into a new aquarium. Things we can do to lessen the amount of brown algae are similar to normal green algae such as reducing nutrient availability, adding live plants and adding algae eaters the the aquarium. However most of the time brown diatom algae eventually burns itself out after a while and one the aquarium becomes established usually dies out in favor of green algae.
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[@EverydayAquarist]

In this video I discuss the reasons a new aquarium goes brown and how to deal with this issue. I hope you enjoy this video and it helps you! FOR EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS CHECK OUT MY PATREON PAGE: www.patreon.com/EverydayAquarist

[@lionness24rules]

Great vid. My tank has been setup for over a yr now and diatoms r growing back within days of water chg and tank/gravel clean. Wish i could attach a pic here to show u lol. Water has no ammonia and PH is about 6.8 where it always is. Just took water tests right now. I use natural, underground spring water to do 25-30% water chgs on my 36 gal bowfront w 3 lg goldfish and 1 tetra here as our shallow well has way too much iron in it. Damn brown algae shows up like few days after a good glass clean and its covered my one fake plant and castle completely as well. Any suggestions?

[@kaitlynna.7869]

@@lionness24rules not sure if you fixed the problem but i usually keep the light on for a shorter amount of time, hope that helps!

[@ZDanimations]

Interestingly, my heavily planted tank is the first one of 5 to get this stuff all over everything. I never had to deal with this, thank you for this post, it's definitely reassuring!

[@anishmohan3122]

how long does that last ? now i am facing this issue too

[@ZDanimations]

Mine lasted for about 3 months. Reducing light to 5-6 hrs during this period helped a lot. Bumped the light back to 9hrs after it cleared.

[@nymphoftheatlantic]

Same exact thing here. It was stressful tbh

[@scottwhite3948]

he starts making suggestions at 3 mins. save your time.

[@Tatanyathetinkerfairy]

Thank you sm ✨

[@myserenitycrafts]

Thanks so much. My tank is 3 weeks old and I guess I have a brown algae bloom. You have made me feel like I am doing fine and just have to let the tank sort itself out. I’ll be patient and keep and eye on the things you mentioned. My beta seems happy so I’ll wait to see if it clears up. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom. Sara.

[@sangamp6292]

Do share your view

[@Garrettw8]

This is great, thank you so much, I don’t usually comment but I’m 2 months in to my fish keeping journey and had this problem one up, it’s very minor but gave me a bit of anxiety, but this cleared everything up I appreciate the vid great work👍

[@lawrenceharris2760]

Thanks my man really good content! Just started my aquarium and the eco system is just settling I was so close to changing everything. Just knowing it's normal is enought

[@saul3550]

Great video, I woke up to a brown tank and this video was really helpful.

[@munnu1975]

You just let me breathe a sigh of relief. Thank you so much for this video.

[@haitch04]

So much about fishkeeping is patience and observation. This is a great video for beginners and explains the requirements and procedures really well. I find regular water changes and plenty of fast growing stem plants also help to keep algae at bay. The stem plants can be 'sacrificial' and removed at a later date if preferred.

[@prayformemolly1244]

Thanks for the tips! It just started in all 3 of my nano tanks

[@ilushiegames5433]

I finally found a video explaining this! Thank you so much. Recently I got a 55 gal planted aquarium. It’s about 3 weeks old and it has brown algae on glass, structures, and plants. I really appreciate the help!

[@peridot-20]

I have this in my 2yr old tank and all i do is keep on top of maintenance and they're also a food sauce for fish and my Hillstream loach love it. I do have high pressure water flow going at all times besides air stones.

[@Shaden0040]

I like the look of diatoms. It reminds me of lichens on rocks and mountains.

[@meghanfulop2395]

Love you're videos, just stumbled upon your channel and I just want to say keep making videos please! :)

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thanks, I have no plans to stop

[@sadiqmirza4424]

Good clarificaion , thank you

[@Moonlight76876]

Finely I find you ! Thank you for your very helpful video.

[@stevecox8066]

I get this issue with nearly every aquarium I set up. It's a matter of patience and it will go away. Although I will admit I'm NOT the most patient person in the world. I run very slow moving under gravel filters in an anoxic filter and it takes about two months for the different layers of bacteria to establish themselves in the substrate and that is a painful process for someone who isn't patient either. Kind of like being a kid after Halloween waiting on Christmas! Thanks for the video and the great advice explaining why these brown is there and how to deal with it.

[@laynewolff8568]

This video is extremely helpful I also use pleco and snails bio bacteria and corrydoras

[@CarolynnMc01]

thank you for the explanation.

[@ethanmiller3579]

This was great!!

[@stewandumps]

thanks for this video I feel a lot better about my new tank now.

[@haider1413]

Great information

[@SIGINTprivate]

I started my first aquarium 15 days ago and I saw this hairy looking algae strings on my plants. Your video has the best information for me on what I should do. Thank you!

[@user-ii1ei9gw8t]

thank u for a great explanation !!!

[@simonpidgeon949]

Great video 💯👍👍

[@keba1126]

I have a newly set up planted tank, it’s been a week & I’m starting to get some dead leaves on my new plants & brown algae. I’ve done frequent water changes & all the fish are thriving (cycled filter media was used along with wood & rocks from established aquarium). I’m gonna try adding some Cory catfish to help.

[@Tass...]

I almost always get brown algae a few weeks after setting up a new tank. Ottocinclus do enjoy eating it though and clean it up real quick or it does disappear itself in time (usually replaced with another type of new tank algae.) I agree with everything you say in this video. Solid advice there.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Glad it's good info

[@robertfletcher3421]

I could not agree with you more. I think the most important thing is to educate new fishkeepers. The LFS never tells them they are going to end up with the brown mess in the tank and to just wait it will go. Well done and anyone thinking of getting fish watch this first.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thank you so much

[@hugoagogo4324]

Great video thanks will the plants lose the brown algae eventually ?

[@WhiteCloud746]

thanks for this.

[@earthlingi72]

I put 2 platies in the tank and within 3 weeks they cleaned it up fully 🥰

[@ytjxke131]

I appreciate it so much bro

[@gasgiant7122]

Great video, my new aquarium is just starting to get diatoms and a hint of the very very fine stringy alge. Are there any fish that eat this type of alge.

[@echoesvayne9790]

Literally my most dense points of diatoms are right by the filters... where there is the most flow....

[@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

[@kylejenkins9389]

I do that too! A soft tooth brush!

[@rufusdanieliii9926]

I thank you kind Sir!

[@zee_draws]

Subscribed ! 😊

[@MsVicki73]

When the brown Algae burns itself out will it all disappear off of the rocks & decor on its own or will I have to clean it off of the rocks & decor myself? And how long does it generally take to go away on its own?

[@thetruthseeker6409]

Thank you. I was so worry. The bacteria bloom just finished and now brown algae. I was giving up keeping fish.

[@MitchJanssen1]

My rocks are drying outside, should clean it in a few days. I did a big waterchange and will keep up with water changes more to combat nutrients left over.

[@davidcampbell4429]

I’ve had a tank almost 10 months and still have this all over my plants

[@mys3riou5]

How often are you doing water changes?

[@trevorflorez2335]

Similar. I do weekly water changes. No idea how to remove.. I’ve tried adjusting light levels/duration. Nothing seems to be working. Any advice?

[@aswins.p7155]

@@trevorflorez2335 use shrimps and otto cat fish

[@rondroider8904]

@@aswins.p7155 doesnt do much either

[@gallardo20000]

@@trevorflorez2335 you have high silicates in your water. Use Reverse osmosis water.

[@ritasmith8784ff]

Thanks 😊

[@colew.5744]

So my tank isn’t new, it’s about 3 months old. And it just now started to have it. Should that be a worry? Or just brush it off like you said I have 5 species of aquatic plants. One Amazon sword, Anubia (which I’m worried about sense they are grow slowing) I’m not sure what type the other three plants are ones like a bushy spiky looking plant, the other is like a set of two leafs up a long stem. The other skinny leafs. I have ghost shrimps in there and a couple zebra danios.

[@jeromeslost3643]

Got a new tank ( planted ) with a good light , after 2 days I added bacteria woke up and this is all over the stones not to crazy but enough to notice, 3 days in total I have had the tank is this okay ??

[@gloriamaletta8667]

Had it in my 75 and 60 gallon doing 30 percent water changes weekly on both have been using tetra algae control for just over a month l use 1/3 of the recommended dose 2 milliliters every water change per tank it's gone and hasn't come back the water was crystal clear with the brown algae problem but using tetra algae control it's still crystal clear but it takes 24 hours or less to clear up after a water change but not real bad both tanks have 2 HOB filters that flow over 350 gallons a hour and a big air pump with air stones the 75 also has a power head with a sponge filter connected to it it's working so far for me

[@fredrickfernandes8757]

Do hob filters help....to combat brown algae

[@gloriamaletta8667]

@@fredrickfernandes8757 try tetras algae control l use it 3 milliliters on my 75 gallon tank every week when doing a 25 gallon water change it has slowed it way down but still get some very little not real bad l don't think any kind of filter will help stop brown or green algae the tetras algae control works pretty good depending on how bad it is before using it clean all decorations in tank and glass do a water change and add the tetras algae control l use a very little to control it the directions recommend 1 milliliter per 10 gallons so I'm using less than half the recommended dose do not know how well it will work if the algae is really out of control and has taken over the tank like l said l had some spots with it but not over run with it and what I've been doing really helps control it and slowed it down hope this helps

[@gloriamaletta8667]

@@fredrickfernandes8757 l can tell you the brown or green algae is normal in a tank that has cycled so don't over react if it's just some algae it looks bad but if tank is over run with the algae over 50 percent of tank use the recommended dose like l said mine is spots maybe 10 percent 3 milliliters with a 25 percent water change has slowed it down but still get some ever so slightly by the next week it will spread fast if nothing is done to stop it

[@myaquascapingjourney1255]

Hi there, just discovered your channel, new subscriber! My algae problem is not so much diatom based. It’s more a brown fine hair algae. I can’t find any vids on this issue. Any suggestions?! Thanks 🌱

[@EverydayAquarist]

Try Otocinclus or Nerite snails, or both!

[@myaquascapingjourney1255]

Everyday Aquarist - Appreciate the reply. I’ll get some for sure, I already have a couple of assassin snails in there to battle the genetic snails I’ve acquired from buying potted plants, but looking into it I think I need to reduce the hours of light in my aquarium and try to reduce the nitrates as these may be high feeding the algae excessively. Thanks again, look forward to seeing your other vids. 🌱

[@wesstaff2493]

Great video!! I'm seeing advice.I have a ton of brown algae growing in all my plants in my 20 gallon long. I have one pair or apistogramma and 5 green neon tetras (not very many fish). The tank has been going for about a year and the brown algae is really bad. I'm using a finnex stingray 2 led light ((72) 7000K + (12) actinic Blue LEDs + (12) 660Nm RED LEDs. My light is on a timer for 5 hours. I do water changes once a week. I'm about to give up on a planted tank. I have annubius and java moss...brown algae all over them. Thanks for any input.

[@AussieAquatic]

Usually less light grows brown algae and too much grows green algae. We're looking for the happy middle. I'd expect 8 - 10 hours to be about what you should aim for :)

[@captainweird1822]

I have a 55 gal discus tank thats been set up for over a year now... i do 50% wc twice a week and have had no algae yet all of a sudden im having to deal with this all over my dragon stone and plants, what happened and how do i get rid of it?

[@marcincieslak1961]

Increasing light levels in a fresh tank will just make algae bloom. Do not add excessive light to a tank that’s not cycled. Only add lighting if you’re adding CO2

[@patrickvinas6524]

I got this problem and starting working in it today. Can i completely turn the light off until its gone? There is a window and room light for the fish not to be in the dark 24/7. I have no plants. Thxs

[@jadelee-taylor1061]

ADVICE WANTED (please): I have an axolotl tank, low flow filtration and low light, 10 or so live plants and, has been cycled for 2-3 months. And still diatoms brown algae are still prevalent on every object and surface in my tank. one thing that may be causing it is black silica sand as a substrate so my axie has something to grip to walk across the bottom of the tank. I'd love some advice on what to do, I've tried everything except bleaching

[@quetzai6757]

I have an axolotl too, and this problem is absolutely everywhere. When I go to dump my water change water, it’s all brown, and when I do much as blow the surface of one of my rocks with a bit of water, stuff comes flying up from it. I have no clue what to do about it.

[@yozan122]

Is this good for baby guppies since my aquarium just spawned baby guppies and i heared baby guppies eat it and does this help grow brown java moss

[@cody1995evo]

Is it bad tho I have an established 40 gallon with two puffer fish in it freshwater and I’ve left the brown algae alone because it seems to be eating the nitrates and keeping them low🤷🏼‍♂️

[@sschario60]

I appreciate the suggestions. Another resource recommended that cleaning the diatoms off the rocks, filter bits, heater, etc. would effectively limit the diatom reproduction. That advice HAS NOT been effective as they persist four months later. (Phosphates are nearly nonexistent, nitrates bounce between 20 and 40ppm. Doing 40-50% weekly water changes. Considering adding a few anubias.) Mostly though, I value your suggestion to leave the diatoms (except on the glass) and they should burn out. I have noticed a few spots of green algae on the glass, so maybe the transition isn't far off. Cheers!

[@sschario60]

Finally, algae has replaced the diatoms. For my situation and conditions, I added no treatments to battle the diatoms; only wiped them off of the glass periodically. In addition to water changes and monitoring my parameters, I stood back and let the tank cycle - in all about an eight month process. Nature had it under control all along.

[@fredrickfernandes8757]

@@sschario60 Sir i am having this diatom brown algae mostly at the bottom of the plants not on new leaf growths..need your help what could be reason theres a very slight green algae on the sumersible power filter tank is 6mth walstad setup...should i move my led lights back??

[@C.Double.]

@@sschario60 Keeping light times under 7 hours and making sure a big part of the "night" is complete darkness has always helped me.

[@sschario60]

Fredrick Fernandes I’m incredibly new to the hobby. Afraid I have no knowledge or recommendations. Best wishes, friend.

[@blewis8784]

Whats the name of the short plant in the front left?

[@missuniversemoments4627]

The advice how to clean this starts at 3:40 ... you are welcome

[@lucasvanleeuwen4130]

the brown algae in my tank because i had too much light

[@KarAashika]

This video is quite reassuring. I've decided to add red root floaters so they can soak up the excess nutrients and starve the diatoms. I have no idea if it will work. I already have hornwort, java fern and java moss in my tank. Maybe I just need a stronger light.

[@sunflower6434]

Wish you zoomed in for 30 seconds on the brown algae on any object or plant, as I can’t focus and see what your talking about... but your information is great 👍

[@Loralanthalas]

It's all the color that's not gray on the gray rocks.

[@7205buttas]

I have a diatom vortex filter I bought with a used setup. Will this help with the diatom algae growth or just if it’s in the water itself?

[@EverydayAquarist]

I've never heard of a diatom vortex filter sorry

[@naglis1729]

What can i add in if my aquarium is only 10liters

[@cathy4735]

I just watched a video they said my lights are on to long? New set- up with turtle. Another said add kosher salt? Another said break it back down and use a mild bleach solution.... I'm totally confused now.

[@johnedmundson4154]

You can try using a product like sea chem phosbond or phosfiltrum in your filter to limit the amount of available silicates and phosphates.this will limit the growth of diatoms

[@rondroider8904]

Naaah, never worked in my tank.

[@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!

[@HadEnough745]

My tank is running for 1.5 yrs and still has diatoms. I have two canister filters, large sponge filter and two power heads. Still have diatoms...Very annoying..

[@Sinserg]

That's right when you do get these diatoms they go away on their own and fish love to eat it.

[@Calgarycommunitywatch]

I’ve been dealing with brown algae for over a year now ..please help me , ty

[@marcinpenk219]

01:20 Diatoms ARE a type of algae (Bacillariophyceae).

[@grahambiggs2017]

5 years ago he posted a vid called. '3 Tips to Prevent Aquarium Algae'. Maybe that's why he has convinced himself that Diatoms are not Algae.

[@RR-sz4ij]

how i wish we can skip time when setting up new tanks..

[@user-ql4js1rz6d]

I don’t even have real plants I have fake plants wth, the rocks are turning brown and the fake plants too. How can I fix this? Does anyone know?

[@kkdeveauxgue2784]

Mann my tank is 3 months old and I thought it was the heater,I just turned it up 2 days ago I just dropped it down,that may have caused it..

[@joyoflearning2124]

Increased room temperature mine too

[@kevinobrien2542]

will it go away naturally ?

[@LurkinCT]

watch the video, he does say

[@lexicordova154]

My fish tank isn’t new and this is happening?

[@eyeruntheboxful]

Me 2

[@rondroider8904]

I put sponge bob house in my tank and my diatoms went off. It worked like magic.

[@-..l]

My tank is not even close to old, yet its filled with brown algae and the snails are lazy.

[@Alinsouth]

get a rainbow shark it will lick it clean

[@cashoption2319]

5 month old tank cloudy and diatom entire time

[@donttalktome4696]

My endlers clean my plants and my snails eat the diatoms!

[@cdave2006]

I found that it happens mostly because of the stones and the sand releasing PHOSPHATE and SILICATES. Hence just buy any filter media that removes these things which the plants don't need anyway. Phosguard or other products worked for me.

[@lilhumble2279]

Same

[@pippydunn]

I found your advice so helpful thank you but too much motion on your camera, made me feel too sick to watch.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Yeah sorry I have bought a tripod now

[@Travissquid18]

I’ve had brown algae for months just on one spot under the filter on a squidward house top and it won’t go away

[@L.4utumn]

I create my aquascape and i didnt wait for a week or what so ever and i put fist 😅😂 and i regret it cause my stone turn brown 😂

[@n1njablue658]

Algeee 🤣algae

[@Becks-fi6xl]

He’s pronouncing it correctly

[@hugoagogo4324]

Algae not algee

[@mikeswain9085]

I would really have loved to have watched this video as I'm sure it would be of a lot of help but with the camera constantly being waved about, it distracts greatly from what you're doing.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Oh sorry was just focused on the speech. I'll use a tripod or something next time

[@mikeswain9085]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I look forward to seeing future videos.

[@Sazqwatch]

Zero useful advice to get rid of the stuff. Basically wait it out. Lol

[@EverydayAquarist]

That's the only advice needed. Magic bullets do not exist