kdmac

Hi, I have planted three live plants in my 21 gallon tank about three weeks ago. Now they have brown spots what does this mean and how do I get rid of the spots? Help still trying to cycle my tank. been four weeks.

McAllistes

sirdarksol

What plants?
I presume that the brown spots are on the leaves. Are all of the leaves equally affected?
Are the plants odd in any other way? Are the leaves yellowing, or fading, or becoming transparent?

kdmac

Hi, Thanks for the quick reply. My husband came home and wiped the leaves of the plants and discovered that it was algae. I suppose this is normal during the cycling. Should we do a water change or leave it. The water is clear and the ammonia is low and nitrites are low as well.

Thanks
McAllister

Isabella

If the tank is just cycling, it was the brown "diatoms", not true algae. You wouldn't get algae this fast in a new and cycling tank. The diatoms will go away on their own, or you can clean them off your aquarium glass, and very gently off plant leaves.

P.S. If plant leaves show any signs of browning, yellowing, or any other decay signs, this is a great info source to look at: Deficiency list for plants.

EDIT: For a "debate" on whether diatoms are true algae or not, refer to this thread: http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/aquarium-plants/14310-diatoms-true-algae-not.html#post278080