King_Snuggles

I have brown algy or diatoms that keep coming back on my glass. Is the only thing i can do is wipe it off. I thought that by putting another plant in it would compeat for the nutrients in the water. A algy eating fish is not an option the tank is stocked. any sugestions?

capekate

Hi there,
If it is true diatoms, it will disappear after awhile. Not much help for now tho. Its something that new tanks just have to go through, as mine did. After about six months they finally went away and my gravel is now as clean as it was in the beginning. I just continued to wipe it off the glass, decorations, plants etc, til it finally went away. My otos did a fantastic job of cleaning it up, but if you are over stocked now, I guess that is not an option.

~ kate

King_Snuggles

it grows from day to day so i am thinking it is algy. the tank is not new ( not old) it has been set up for a month now thats not counting cycling. the tank in not over stocked it only has ine fish but i dont want to get anymore

MissMTS

I am having the same problem with one of my tanks. I replaced the filter cartridge and it went away for a while, but then it came back. I just keep wiping it off too. I'm glad to hear that it is a normal problem and will go away by itself.

King_Snuggles

Well wipe i will. I thought the plants would prevent the algy from growing in the first place?

capekate

Hello
No, plants will not get rid of algaeas far as I know. The diatoms are present in most new tanks. It starts to appear at about a month or so and stays present til around six months later. Its just one of those 'new' tank things that we all go through. Its a pain for sure.. doesnt affect the health of your fish, but sure can look ugly for awhile. So wipe away... lol...
Oto fish really do a number on the diatoms and love to clean up your tank. Along with wiping down everything it may be a good idea to invest in some of those lil guys.

~ kate

capekate

To learn more about these diatoms you can do a search at the top of this page. Just type in ' diatoms' and pages of threads and replies will come up.

~ kate