Mike P.

I have been away for a week and my kids have been taking care of feeding and looking after our fish. I came home to see this "brown substance" on the walls and leaves of the artificial plants. I know this can't be normal so I checked the water and everything looks ok (with a test strip). I have done water changes and I don't know what else to do. Does anyone have any ideas? I also added the recommended amount of Prime to the water just so you know.

Thanks for any advice given!!

Cody

its most likly brow algae, its normal for fish tanks. if theres tons of it you maybe feeding to much. if thats the case try feeding once a day and every other day they fish can go a few days with out getting fed other wise you can use an algea scaper make sure if you have and acrylic tank to get one that can be used on acyrlic. or get a magentic aglae cleaner. or a algae eater if you really wanted to

Shawnie

i agree with cody...the kids probably fed them too much

Cody

i just saw that its a goldfish tank sorry dont put an aglea eater in there. goldfish are pigs and produce alot of waste so i would definetaly just feed every other day.. the water goldfish are in wouldnt be good for aglea eating fish you may find

wkinne02

There is nothing to worry about, it's perfectly normal. I haven't had a tank yet that hasn't had brown algae develop after being up and running for a few months. Yes, it does not look pretty, but it is harmless and will go away in time. It's also extremely easy to clean by just wiping it off.

capekate

The brown algae is called "diatoms" and its usually found in new tanks. It will go away after about six months. In the meantime you can wipe it off where it is unsightly as I used to do. Then sure enough, about six months later it was gone. It wont bother your fish and you dont have to worry about it. I bought otocinclus fish ( oto cats) they love to eat this stuff up. Hard to believe that something that small can do a great job of cleaning that up for you.
they are like little vacuum cleaners lol...

Mike P.

I only have one goldfish and 3 tetras in the tank now. Had some rough times with the nitrite levels early on. Anyway if either of the cleacning fish would work that would be great!! I was worried if I cleaned the algae off something I was going to have to keep doing water changes all the time. But hearing that it is not harmful to the fish I will clean the tank and look into one of the cleaning fishes.

Thanks to everyone for easing our minds. This is a great site for fish people to learn and not make big money mistakes by starting over when somethings can be corrected.

Thanks Guys!!

Shawnie

Hi Mike...nitrites and ammonia will be an issue in a 10 gal with any goldfish..they are big time poo'rs...so every other day of at least 25% water changes will be needed with that goldie...they get huge the cleaning fishes would be great but you are already maxed out now with fish compared to size of tank...can you get a bigger tank for goldie?

capekate

"DITTO" everything that Shawnie just posted!

amolnsys

Hey i dont think its an algae....even i had the same thing in my tank....and u see if try and remove it by hand its just disappears right? well thats too much of Iron content in the tank due to more feeding. Your food might be rich in Iron.
I have tried adding the potassium liquid(check with the aquarium shop guy) as i have live plants (its basically for plants to increase the photosynthesis) and it helps in maintaining the iron content in the tank. Now my tank is doing good.

lyndatu

Yes, it might be brown algae(diatoms) and is perfectly harmless and normal. It is usually brought about by too much nutrients in the water and causes brown algae to be happy to grow. It will disappear eventually and the fish might also feed on it. Amonlnsys advice is very good - plants are great for absorbing excess nutrients and helps prevent algae growth.

Good luck!

COBettaCouple

I'll usually wipe those diatoms away with a paper towel, but some fish like to nibble on them.