If you notice an unsightly brown or brownish coating on the glass, rocks, and plant leaves in your aquarium, then you have encountered brown algae. This is a common problem, especially in new aquariums. Almost all aquarists encounter it, and the first feeling is, of course, disappointment. But don't panic!
The appearance of this coating is not a death sentence, but rather a signal from your aquarium. It indicates that something has gone wrong with the balance of the aquatic environment. Most often, this is due to an excess of certain substances in the water, a lack of light, or an incorrect light spectrum. This does not mean that you are a bad owner; it is just a phase that must be gone through.
The good news is that brown algae can and should be combated. Moreover, their appearance can be easily prevented in the future. Understanding the causes is half the battle. Let's figure out why they have settled in your underwater world and what can be done to restore its cleanliness and healthy appearance.
Brown algae in an aquarium: beneficial or harmful?
Before you can understand why brown algae appeared in the aquarium and how to get rid of them, you need to understand their structure. Many people think that algae are aquarium plants that complement the aquatic world, but this is not entirely true. Brown algae have nothing to do with aquarium plants, as they are single-celled and serve no purpose.
Here is a brief description of their distinctive characteristics:
- It is difficult to remove if the cause is not noticed immediately.
- They can appear suddenly, for no apparent reason.
- They produce thread-like slime, which after 3-5 days can spread throughout the aquarium, contaminating it.
- They appear on the walls of the aquarium as characteristic brown-green spots.
- It spreads quickly to all surfaces in the aquarium.
There is no point in talking about the benefits of brown algae, because such representatives of fauna will certainly not decorate the aquarium. Moreover, they quickly pollute the water, making it cloudy. This is additional stress for all aquatic inhabitants, plus extra work for the aquarium owner.
But that's not all that brown algae has to offer:
Plants will suffer from disruption of the natural process of photosynthesis, as brown algae will create a film that prevents light rays from penetrating.- Fish may experience discomfort, especially if there is no filter in the aquarium. The only ones who will like the coating are snails, which will happily scrape it off the surface of the aquarium walls.
- Plants affected by diatom algae may develop rot. This can lead to the death of the plant, as well as infection of the aquarium's flora and fauna.
Ignoring brown algae problems in an aquarium will soon lead to losses. It is easier to combat diatoms at the stage of light coating than to spend time and effort later on cleaning dense, ingrained contamination.
Novice aquarists often make the key mistake of letting the problem take its course. If diatom algae are not combated, they can literally destroy the aquarium by overwhelming all living organisms.
The most important thing to remember is that these cells reproduce rapidly and spread throughout the aquarium. So don't just think about it, take action!
More than 15 species of diatom algae are protected, serving not only as food for marine life, but also as a habitat for primitive fauna.
Why does brown algae appear in the aquarium?
Let's say you carefully monitor your aquarium, diligently change the water and clean the substrate, and clean the filter in a timely manner, but one fine morning you notice that the walls of the tank are covered with small brown spots. There are no visible reasons for this process, but that's only at first glance.
Obvious reasons
The most common reasons for brown algae in an aquarium are:
- High concentrations of silicon dioxide (SiO2) – when dioxide combines with alkalis and carbonates, silicates are formed, which are salts without a constant composition of silicon acids that are insoluble in water. Silicon dioxide is a building material in the creation of the “shell” of diatom algae, being the key reason for the active growth of brown film in the aquarium.
- Clogged filter – leads to poor water purification and, as a result, to the accumulation of large amounts of organic matter, as well as unprocessed food residues, which together lead to active decay and the formation of a characteristic brown coating on the surface of the soil and walls.
- Unestablished nitrogen cycle in a new aquarium – the appearance of brown algae in the first 2-3 months after starting the aquarium is normal. The problem will resolve itself as soon as the plants take root and begin to actively produce nitrogen.
- Excess organic matter and pronounced decay processes at the bottom – if rotting plants or dead fish are not removed in a timely manner, favorable conditions for the development of brown algae can be created even with a powerful filter in the aquarium.
- Direct sunlight entering the aquarium, this leads to the active reproduction of pathogenic flora, as well as brown algae. The aquarium must be installed correctly and as far away from the window as possible.
- Extended daylight hours – the duration of lighting should not exceed 10 hours. Brown algae do not reproduce without light.
- Lack of stabilizers and special agents to maintain the alkaline balance of the water in the aquarium. It is especially important to add them when the aquarium is first started up, when the aquatic microbiota has not yet stabilized.
- Excessive feeding – if you feed the fish more than they need, some of the food will settle on the bottom and start to rot, and where there is decay, there will be diatom algae.
Newly started aquariums are always at risk. Few beginners in aquarium keeping are willing to wait 2-3 weeks for the microflora of an artificial pond to start up and stabilize. In practice, everything is done in one day, after which there is no need to wait for brown algae to appear on the bottom and walls.
— I. Kireenko, Aquarium magazine
Non-obvious causes
Sometimes, even when all conditions are met, diatoms do not even try to retreat, settling in new colonies on the decor and walls of the aquarium.
This may be preceded by the following reasons:
- Introduction of single-celled organisms through fish, snails, and decorations – if you buy marine life, it must be quarantined before being released into the aquarium. Ignoring this rule often results in brown algae appearing in the aquarium. This is especially true for snails, whose shells may harbor algae cells.
- Low water temperature – it is important for diatoms to maintain a temperature range of 18 to 22°C. At higher temperatures, the algae die.
- Lack of periodic bottom cleaning – installing a filter in the aquarium is not enough. Organic matter will still settle at the bottom and near the roots of plants, so it must be removed mechanically. A regular hose works well for this, as it can be used like a vacuum cleaner to collect all the debris from the most hard-to-reach places. Experts recommend performing preventive cleaning of the bottom at least once every 3-4 days.
- Low water temperature – for diatoms
- Excessive amounts of nitrates, micro- and macroelements – imbalance in the aquatic environment often occurs with the uncontrolled use of fertilizers for aquarium plants, as well as various alkali stabilizers.
- Lack of preventive water replacement – if you do not drain part of the water and add fresh water weekly, there is a risk of developing not only diatom algae, but also pathogenic flora.
- Improper plant care – dioecious plants feel comfortable on the surfaces of aquarium plants. If they are not cleaned properly, they will become a source of active brown algae growth.
- Sudden changes in lighting this leads to a disruption in the life of aquarium plants, which upsets the alkaline balance and microbiota of the water, playing into the hands of brown algae.
- Overpopulation in the aquarium when there are too many aquatic inhabitants, the nitrate level automatically increases. This, in turn, inhibits the development of aquarium plants and stimulates the active growth of brown algae.
- Lack of mechanical cleaning of large decorative elements soaking in a salt solution may not be enough. Decorations must be cleaned with abrasives to remove small particles of single-celled algae.
No matter how good the filter in the aquarium is, it does not guarantee protection against the appearance of brown algae. There are many prerequisites for their development, so for prevention purposes, all recommendations of specialists aimed at maintaining an optimal biological balance in the aquarium should be followed.
It is not always easy to determine the specific cause of such rapid growth of brown algae. However, according to experienced aquarists, there may be several reasons for this. In general, the problem of thick brown algae growth is complex.
Therefore, a comprehensive approach is always used in the fight against diatoms. It is not enough to change the water or clean the walls of the aquarium. It is important to balance the alkalinity, ensure normal conditions for the development of microbiota, and avoid direct sunlight.
When one person takes care of the aquarium, a certain routine is established, including daylight hours, feeding amounts, and water replacement frequency. As soon as another person starts caring for the aquarium, the microbiota changes, which has been proven empirically. This is not at all related to human biorhythms and energy, but to the specifics of aquarium care.
Methods of combating brown algae
The key to combating diatom algae is to take timely measures, which include not only cleaning the aquarium, but also restoring the optimal water balance. In practice, this is much more difficult than in theory, but delaying can lead to the entire aquarium becoming overgrown.
Step-by-step instructions
So, the aquarium is teeming with slimy algae, and its walls and soil are densely covered with a brown carpet.
It's time to start actively fighting protozoa, and the following tips will help:
- Transfer all animals to a clean container filled with water. Carefully remove the plants from the soil, roots and all, and place them in a separate container.
- Drain some of the water from the aquarium, thoroughly clean the bottom, collecting food debris and trash.
- Remove decorative elements. They should be soaked in salt water, which will soften the plaque and make it easy to remove.
- Carefully collect the soil. It will need to be thoroughly washed under running water, then boiled or treated with a special disinfectant for aquarium soil.
- A clean and empty aquarium should be thoroughly treated with baking soda, which will help to cope with heavy contamination on the glass surface. If such a soft abrasive does not help, you can use a scraper.
- The lamp and filter should also be treated with a disinfectant, as brown algae cells may remain on their surfaces.
- Once the aquarium has been completely cleaned, rinse it several times under running water and prepare it for filling.
- First, spread the substrate, then pour in some water, plant the plants, and install the pre-cleaned decor.
- Finally, the fish are added.
- Snail shells should be cleaned with a soft brush, and sticky deposits should be removed from plants by rinsing them repeatedly under a stream of lukewarm water.
To avoid the reappearance of brown algae, it is necessary to plant plants in the aquarium that will regulate the alkaline balance of the water.
You can also add snails and catfish, which are excellent at dealing with bottom slime and willingly scrape it off all surfaces. Otocinclus are excellent at solving the problem of brown algae without the use of chemicals.
After starting the aquarium, it is important to keep the daylight hours to no more than 10 hours and the water temperature to at least 22-23°C. These simple but effective tips are often more helpful than chemical agents.
Use of special means
Let's say you started the aquarium according to all the rules, maintain the correct lighting regime, feed the fish once a day, clean the bottom, but the brown coating is back and growing exponentially. Of course, changing the water and cleaning the aquarium with complete treatment of plants and soil every week is a waste of time.
The problem can be solved in a slightly different way, with the help of special agents. They work selectively, blocking the activity of single-celled organisms, as a result of which algae lose their ability to live and reproduce.
The most effective products are listed in the table:
|
Name |
How to use? | Features |
| Sulfur Algovech |
dilute 5 ml of the product in a small amount of aquarium water, then pour it into the aquarium in a thin stream. Consumption – 5 ml per 20 liters of water |
good aeration in the aquarium is important dead algae residues in the form of slime should be removed with a net. the filter needs to be cleaned daily after 2-3 days |
|
Aquaier Algaecides |
add 5 ml of the product to 50 liters of water, dissolve, and pour into the aquarium in a thin stream. Duration of use: 7 days |
increases the level of carbon dioxide in the water, stimulating active plant growth. |
| Tetra Algetten | drop a tablet into the aquarium (1 tablet per 10 liters of water) and clean the aquarium after 3-5 days. Use 1-2 times a month. |
suppresses the growth of all algae does not affect plants. safe for fish |
No matter how safe aquarium chemicals are, they cannot be called 100% harmless. Not only algae, but also representatives of flora and fauna will suffer. This may not lead to mass death, but such disinfection will definitely not be without consequences.
Brown algae in an aquarium is a common problem, especially in the early stages, and they appear due to excess light, poor water circulation, or stagnant organic matter. Most often, they are not dangerous and disappear on their own when the aquarium reaches equilibrium, but there are simple ways to combat them: change the water regularly, do not overfeed the fish, clean the walls and substrate, and do not turn on the light for more than 8–10 hours a day. Prevention lies in consistent care and patience: over time, brown algae will give way to more beneficial plants and green algae if the conditions are right.
How to help your aquarium naturally?
To prevent brown algae from growing, you can populate the aquarium with fauna that will clean the substrate of debris and feed on these algae.
Among them, the most effective “cleaners” and “fighters for cleanliness” in the aquarium are:
Snails
There are never too many of them, so adding 10-15 new individuals is like having someone else do a thorough cleaning of the aquarium.
Shrimps
Single-celled algae will be the best delicacy for them, as will fish food residues.
Ancistrus
Bottom-dwelling fish that are excellent at destroying food residues, preventing them from rotting.
Gyrinocheilus
They feed on algae, acting as a natural filter in the aquarium.
Also, don't forget about aquarium plants. It is better to choose the most unpretentious species that take root well and do not need frequent feeding. Old and damaged leaves should be removed constantly to prevent them from rotting.
Preventive measures
The following actions will help prevent the formation of brown algae in the aquarium:
- It is important to treat the soil correctly and calcine it if possible. Plants should be carefully cleaned under running water. The walls of the aquarium need not only cleaning but also disinfection.
- The light regime should not exceed 10 hours.
- Feed fish small portions once a day. All food must be eaten, otherwise the remains will rot at the bottom, providing a breeding ground for brown algae.
- The bottom should be cleaned every 2-3 days, after which fresh water should be added.
- If you use brown algae control products, you need to do so consciously, after carefully reading the instructions.
- Choose warm light bulbs. If they are submersible, it is important to treat them as you would all other elements of the aquarium.
- Filters should be cleaned once a week, and a complete cleaning of the aquarium should be performed once a month.
- It is essential to monitor the number of aquatic inhabitants, keeping in mind that overpopulation should be avoided.
Experienced aquarists recommend placing zinc or copper objects on the bottom of the tank as an excellent remedy for brown algae. In their opinion, when these metals come into contact with water, they saturate it with metal ions, which inhibit the growth of algae by affecting the pH of the water.
If the situation is critical and no methods help, you need to purchase special agents and add them to the water. This is the only way to prevent mass contamination of the aquarium with diatom algae.
Frequently asked questions
If brown algae have attacked my plants, should I treat them or is it better to throw them away to avoid widespread damage?
You can try chemical agents that are safe for fish and plants. If that doesn't help, it's better to sacrifice the small ones.
Should I treat purchased soil before placing it in the aquarium?
Of course, calcination works especially well, but it is not suitable for all soils. Disinfection should be carried out depending on the characteristics of the selected soil.
Some people write that the antibiotic penicillin will help solve the algae problem once and for all. How should it be used?
Antibiotics will destroy not only algae, but also beneficial flora. Today, there are many safer products and activators that will help maintain the right balance without harming the flora and fauna.
I noticed that brown algae appeared after fertilizing the plants. Is this a coincidence or a pattern?
If the fertilizer contained substances that could alter the alkaline balance of the water, this could have led to the active growth of protozoa.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that brown algae can appear in both a beginner's aquarium and a professional's aquarium. All it takes is ignoring a few aquarium maintenance rules or affecting the alkaline balance of the water, and brown spots will appear on the walls of the tank. It is possible and necessary to combat them. And the sooner measures are taken, the better for everyone.
Brown algae in an aquarium often look scary, but they can be dealt with. As we have found out, they usually appear due to an excess of nutrients, lack of light, or instability in a young aquarium. Understanding these causes is half the battle.
Combating algae requires a set of measures. Regular cleaning of the walls and decorations, water changes, and lighting control work wonders. Don't forget about live plants — they are your main allies in absorbing excess nutrients that algae feed on.
The main conclusion is simple: stability and regular care are the best prevention. Don't wait until brown algae covers everything around. The sooner you establish balance in your underwater world, the less chance this scourge will return. An aquarium without algae is possible; it just takes a little attention and patience.
