Brown Algae
- Thread starter fishbait
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beaslbob
Well-Known Member
welcome
Agreed
brown algae feed off of phosphates and will turn to green as the phosphates are consumed and nitrAtes increase.
Wrong again Bob. The brown algea that you are seeing is most likely the dead remains of diatoms, which feed off of silicates
Correct that algea will feed off of phosphates and nitrates
the way to control ugly algaes is to add plants you like. The good plants then starve the uglies. And all with no need for added chemicals, filtration or water changes
Be warned here, this is not the only way to control what Bob calls ugly algeas, it is only one way and not necessarily the best way. Adding plants as he calls it can overtake the aquarium and root into the rocks and substate unless carefully maintained. If you find you don't like it later then it is a real pain to get out. There are many other ways to control algea by finding out what is causing it, then finding out a way to export these excess nutrients. Plants like Bob suggests are best in a refugium or seperate tank that is plumed to the main tank in some way. Water changes can be a large help in exporting these excess nutrients and replacing necessary trace elements- its like breathing fresh air in, careful feeding regiem, Deep Sand Beds that will process excess nutrients. I'm just giving you a few exaples of other ways to control algea blooms.
Thomas712
Agreed
brown algae feed off of phosphates and will turn to green as the phosphates are consumed and nitrAtes increase.
Wrong again Bob. The brown algea that you are seeing is most likely the dead remains of diatoms, which feed off of silicates
Correct that algea will feed off of phosphates and nitrates
the way to control ugly algaes is to add plants you like. The good plants then starve the uglies. And all with no need for added chemicals, filtration or water changes
Be warned here, this is not the only way to control what Bob calls ugly algeas, it is only one way and not necessarily the best way. Adding plants as he calls it can overtake the aquarium and root into the rocks and substate unless carefully maintained. If you find you don't like it later then it is a real pain to get out. There are many other ways to control algea by finding out what is causing it, then finding out a way to export these excess nutrients. Plants like Bob suggests are best in a refugium or seperate tank that is plumed to the main tank in some way. Water changes can be a large help in exporting these excess nutrients and replacing necessary trace elements- its like breathing fresh air in, careful feeding regiem, Deep Sand Beds that will process excess nutrients. I'm just giving you a few exaples of other ways to control algea blooms.
Thomas712
T
therock0861
Guest
For a minute there I thought Bob had a splitpersonality.