brown algae

I have several goldfish tanks and each one has developed what I presume is
brown algae on the sides of the tanks and on some of the artificial plants I
have in them.

I change water about every two weeks because all the tanks are overstocked.
I scrub the algae off but it keeps coming back.

Should I treat with something or is this stuff harmless Looks like heck
though.

Thanks,

Tom in Howell, NJ

Tom Puskar wrote:
I have several goldfish tanks and each one has developed what I presume is
brown algae on the sides of the tanks and on some of the artificial plants I
have in them.

I change water about every two weeks because all the tanks are overstocked.
I scrub the algae off but it keeps coming back.

Should I treat with something or is this stuff harmless Looks like heck
though.

Thanks,

Tom in Howell, NJ


The brown stuff is harmless diatoms blooming on silicates in your
tapwater. Brown algae tends to go away once it's used up the silica,
and then is replaced by green algae. I don't know diatoms even affected
by algicides - I use Otocinclus catfish to eat the stuff in my tropical
tanks.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Elaine T wrote:
Tom Puskar wrote:

I have several goldfish tanks and each one has developed what I
presume is brown algae on the sides of the tanks and on some of the
artificial plants I have in them.

I change water about every two weeks because all the tanks are
overstocked. I scrub the algae off but it keeps coming back.

Should I treat with something or is this stuff harmless Looks like
heck though.

Thanks,

Tom in Howell, NJ

The brown stuff is harmless diatoms blooming on silicates in your
tapwater. Brown algae tends to go away once it's used up the silica,
and then is replaced by green algae. I don't know diatoms even affected
by algicides - I use Otocinclus catfish to eat the stuff in my tropical
tanks.

Gah...I don't know whether diatoms are even affected by algicides...

I should not post before I've finished my first cup of coffee. ;-)

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Hi Tom, The brown algae you are describing is harmless to your fish
although you may not like the way it looks. Please don't add any
chemicals to your water as they may be more harmful than good. A
decent water change and some elbow grease is all thats needed : )

Maria

In article . com,
"bettasngoldfish" wrote:

Hi Tom, The brown algae you are describing is harmless to your fish
although you may not like the way it looks. Please don't add any
chemicals to your water as they may be more harmful than good. A
decent water change and some elbow grease is all thats needed : )

Maria


Or a pair of Apple snails... ;-)
My snail keeps the Betta tank spotless!
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

Katra wrote:

In article . com,
"bettasngoldfish" wrote:

Hi Tom, The brown algae you are describing is harmless to your fish
although you may not like the way it looks. Please don't add any
chemicals to your water as they may be more harmful than good. A
decent water change and some elbow grease is all thats needed : )

Maria


Or a pair of Apple snails... ;-)
My snail keeps the Betta tank spotless!
--
Problem with that us, the original poster said he was overstocked. An Apple
Snail
is about the same load as a goldfish.