Rocco Moretti wrote:
Dr Engelbert Buxbaum wrote:

Rob wrote:

Hi,

I've had a freshwater 10G tank for about a year now. A month or two
after I got the tank red algae (I assume that's what it is) appeared on
the sides of the tank and on the plastic plants (there are no real
plants).


Red algae are marine only, not freshwater. You may be looking at
diatoms, but it requires a microscope to be sure. (Btw, a decent
microscope is a good investment for an aquarist. Just don't get the
cheap crap you won't see much with.)


His algae may indeed be diatoms, but I was under the impression that
there *were* red algae species which lived in freshwater. Everything
I've read about Beard/Brush Algae says that it's a type of red algae.

(e.g. http://plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9 and
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html))

Yes, but BBA doesn't come off with a toothbrush. If the algae is
brownish and not TOO slimy, it probably is diatoms. Otocinclus eat
diatoms and other soft algae. Two would probably keep a 10 gallon tank
clean. If they run out of algae to eat, try feeding zucchini, cucumber,
or other veggies.

--
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