Algae/Diatoms

Anyone got any good cures for this?

My little tank (Siamese Fighter Batchelor Pad) seemingly is now a holiday camp for this stuff, it grows really fast on the back and side plates of the tank (but strangely not on the fromt) and whilst it scrapes off easily enough, its ugly, so does anyone know a good cure for it.

The tank is unplanted, and no ferts/co2/special lights are in use, ive tried cutting light, but read that diatoms dont care about low light and infact, helps them out compete gren algae.

I think I have two issues at once as the colour is brown in some patches and green in others,,,,

anyway, ideas gratefully recieved.

I had considered a phosphate removal media but its agro installing (and costly replacing) it on a regular basis.

I've got this stuff too Rich, but only in the coldwater tank, and it's a pain! To be honest I have tried everything I can think of to get rid of it.

Thinking the diatoms were due to not enough lighting, I increased the amount of time the lights were on and then got green algae as well as the brown stuff. Nothing worked. I have increased lighting, decreased lighting, changed the time the lights were switched on/off, cut down on feeding etc, etc.

The one thing that did work was following advice from Mary - take the fish out, empty tank, give it a really good scrub, clean all ornaments thoroughly, all plants etc. Wash the gravel too.

Replace with clean water, put the fish back in. Have lights on for no more than 4 hrs a day.

It worked a treat and completely got rid of brown and green algae.

Me being stupid then decided to put live plants in and so now have to have the lights on for longer and guess what? Algae, green and brown!

Good to have you back Rich

The tank thats affected is only two months or so old, all ornaments etc scrubbed before going in.

Could give it a go I suppose, just means grabbing beastie and rehoming him in the Q tank (which is same tank as his current pad) just alot of agro... anyway, will give it a go if my next plan fails (one of my lfs sells a herbal remedy that kills 100% algae etc but its £12 for 100ml although 1ml treats 50gallons)

ho hum, put up with it for a while seems the answer for now

All i can come up with is to get some silicate remover, i am not sure of a product name but i'd say that's the best way to get rid & no lights for a few days whilst the silicate remover is getting to work

Nice to see you back Rich...hope you're well :lol:

Found this

Cause- Usually found in newly setup tanks due to silicates and ammonia as the filter and substrate have yet to mature.

Removal- Can be vacuumed out or wiped of the glass with a soft cloth. Usually disappears after a few weeks when the tank has matured. Otocinclus will eat it.

I have it too, Rich but only in the non-planted tanks. The otos eat it in the Q tank atm and I just use an algae sponge and toothbrush to clean it off the glass/ornaments in the coldwater tank. It's a pain but I find that it's easy enough to keep it under control. by wiping it off at each water change.