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Brown algae

3K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  Angel079 
#1 ·
My planted 10 gallon tank is getting full of diatom, I understand it is easy to remove it. What could be the consequence if i do leave it, beside to cosmetic side?
 
#2 ·
Have found that diatom usually appears in newly established tanks and goes away on it's own once the tank matures. (months). As you have noted,It's easy to wipe from the glass or ornaments.
Trumpet snails usually take care of this fairly well also and they leave the plant's alone.
 
#3 ·
+1 Sounds like a new set up to me too. Once your tank has balanced itself out between all new fish, lights, possible fertilizers used and becomes stable and the plants start growing out this will subside by itself. Meanwhile when you do your weekly w/c just wipe it off before hand then then do the w/c.
 
#4 ·
Yes, it is a new set up tank since the start of February. Two snails (i do not know what type) came with the plants. There are three Black neon Tetras and 4 plants (1- Chinese ivy, 1- Sword plant, 1- grass and the third, i could not identify it).
 
#5 ·
No worries. I had brown algae in my 5g tank for about 2 months. Like Angel said, with each water change just scrape as much as you can off gently with your fingers then vacuum it out. Mine started growing back slower and slower over about 8 weeks and now it's virtually gone. Just be patient. Your tank just needs to establish itself. It might be unsightly to you, but it's not harmful to your fish.
 
#7 ·
To encourage you a little on the patience matter....I had set up many many many tanks over all these yrs and just my latest 55g had everything under the sun gone wrong with every single algae type developed in there from the book despite all knowledge & experiences I was near a shooting match with this tank at some stage but I sat tight did what I knew to do best and waited it out now its all gone and the plants are thriving better then ever before. So even if it sometimes seems difficult just ride it out and be patient :)

For the plants if you like just post pictures and we'll gladly help to ID them :)
 
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