brown and green algae

[Shannon]

I have alot of brown and green algae in the tank.  Is this good? It smells UGH!  If it is not good how do I get rid of it??It seems to be really concentrated in the front of the tank at the bottom on the gravel and rocks.

[dpatte]

there are many kinds of algaes. LOL - i know

[BigDaddy]

BGA tends to be the most awful smelling stuff.

Is it growing in long green sheets?  That's BGA.

Here's a great article with pics to help you identify the algae, determine what may have caused it, as well as recommended removal methods:

http://plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9

Hope this helps.

[ambushman2j]

odd..chinese algae eaters do not eat algae..there's one I would not figure!

[artw]

well for the brown algae, you best bet is bristlenose plecso.  you might be able to ask some of our members to bring some to the bbq.

[BigDaddy]

BBQ'd pleco... GROSS

:lol:

[artw]

so far we have bbq's plecos, bbq'd convict cichlids and paint remover dipping sauce.

[dpatte]

odd..chinese algae eaters do not eat algae..there's one I would not figure!

Chinese algae eater DO eat algae for me (green).

[BigDaddy]

Yeah, that's a bit off I think.

I think they are trying to stress they aren't nearly as effective as SAE's etc...

Plus, as the get older... they apparently tend to get more aggressive.

Have you noticed that David?

[dpatte]

Mine eat more algae than my saes (which are real saes)

CAES, as they get older some get more aggressive (maybe only the males??) - what i do then is just move them with more aggressive tank mates.

[lcoates]

I thought you couldn't have chinese algae eaters or Sae's with Cichlids?
Secondly are there any members with Bistlenose plecos for sale, I could pick them up at the BBQ?
I have the same problem except mine is only dark green sheets.

[BigDaddy]

Dark green sheets is most likely BGA.  I don't know of any fish that will eat it.

[artw]

yeah yer best bet for cyano is Erythromycin
(ducking)

[BigDaddy]

You'd better duck!!!!  artw, your just looking to get flamed on that one!   :lol:

When I get the odd outbreak of BGA, I usually increase flow a little, and fix my nitrates, since that's usually the problem in my tanks.

I'd only use meds to kill BGA if it was extreme or I was extremely frustrated!