I am getting brown algae again, Why?

[kyarnkid]

My tank has been up for more than 7 months, why am I getting an algae bloom. I do not have new lights, I am not overfeeding and I use tap water conditioner on my tap water.
Any reason why I am getting this ?

 

[jim672]

kyarnkid,
What are your water parameters? Have you checked the water you're using for water changes before you put it in your tank, to measure levels? You may be adding nitrates to you tank directly with the new water. Also, check you phosphate level.
I see you're from Bristol.....in Pa? If so, what lfs do you use?
Jim

 

[nacl-h2o]

If the algae is brown you should check your source water for silicates as well as nitrates and phosphates.

 

[kyarnkid]

ammonia,nitrites 0
nitrates about 20
I use tap water, do you think it could be phosphate related

 

[puff(er) daddy]

You should buy a phosphate test kit b/c more than likly it's that. If in fact that it is that Seachem Phosguard worked great for me I had this same problem it went from 1.0ppm to .2ppm in one dosage. Do you have a clean up crew? Snail will help keep the algea under control.

 

[grayne]

I had the same problem, but after adding a half dozen snails and a couple emerald crabs it was amazing how fast they cleared up a lot of the algae.

 

[kyarnkid]

what kind of snails

 

[puff(er) daddy]

Astria's, fighting/Queen Couch, Mexican Trouchus and may other crabs I can't name but they are the snails I use.