Awful Algae Growing On Aquarium Plants

So over the last couple days I've noticed I have some really bad algae growth on my plants and I'm looking for any pointers on how to get rid of it without having to remove and wash them..I have tried to scrub them off in the tank but its really not coming off.

 

Focus on your plant growth, and algae will leave on it's own. Are you dosing any ferts?

 

Brown algae is from too much nutrients in the tank

 

So over the last couple days I've noticed I have some really bad algae growth on my plants and I'm looking for any pointers on how to get rid of it without having to remove and wash them..I have tried to scrub them off in the tank but its really not coming off.View attachment 531784

Is it a newer setup? How long are you keeping your lights on? I had a very happy and balanced 10 gallon that I rescaped with sand for Pea Puffers and since then I have had that same brown algae on every dang leaf. I used a tooth brush and my fingers last time, dose with a lil Flourish, which is actually an algacide, and I have put my lights on a timer finally so they get 8 hrs a day instead of the 13-14 and I am finally starting to notice its not growing back. I also can't keep snails or algae eaters with the peas which isn't helpful.

 

Is it a newer setup? How long are you keeping your lights on? I had a very happy and balanced 10 gallon that I rescaped with sand for Pea Puffers and since then I have had that same brown algae on every dang leaf. I used a tooth brush and my fingers last time, dose with a lil Flourish, which is actually an algacide, and I have put my lights on a timer finally so they get 8 hrs a day instead of the 13-14 and I am finally starting to notice its not growing back. I also can't keep snails or algae eaters with the peas which isn't helpful.

This is a 35 gallon tall and been running for over a year but when I added this plant it started to slighty disintegrate off the tips so I trimmed that dead off and all the sudden they just started growing algae.. so that plant had been in there about 2 months now before I noticed any..

Is it a newer setup? How long are you keeping your lights on? I had a very happy and balanced 10 gallon that I rescaped with sand for Pea Puffers and since then I have had that same brown algae on every dang leaf. I used a tooth brush and my fingers last time, dose with a lil Flourish, which is actually an algacide, and I have put my lights on a timer finally so they get 8 hrs a day instead of the 13-14 and I am finally starting to notice its not growing back. I also can't keep snails or algae eaters with the peas which isn't helpful.

Yes they're probably getting about 12 to 14 hours of light a day ... that probably is it then.. I got a new set of lights coming I'm going to look into getting a timer for it..

Focus on your plant growth, and algae will leave on it's own. Are you dosing any ferts?

The only fertilizer that I have been using is root tabs.. the directions when I order them said put one every 3 in. so currently this month I have only put four in.. I do this monthly.. could that be the reason?? Too many not enough??? I'm pretty sure the lights being on for 12 or more hours a day is probably not helping.. I am only going off of what it said on the package when I bought them. I'm not very knowledged on fertilizers yet but I'm learning as I go so anything you could give me for advice would be so greatly appreciated!!

Brown algae is from too much nutrients in the tank

There is a few spots of brown algae I can see clearly but the darker stuff looks more like really dark forest green.

 

You need some liquid fertilizer. Try Thrive by NilocG. It has all essential nutrients for plant growth that root tabs don't usually have. If algae is growing directly on the plants, that is often a great indicator that your plants are lacking good nutrition and are too weak to fight off the algae that wants to grow on them.

Too many nutrients does NOT cause algae. Nutrient deficiencies, CO2 imbalances, and too much ammonia will cause algae.

 

Pretty much this ^

 

You need some liquid fertilizer. Try Thrive by NilocG. It has all essential nutrients for plant growth that root tabs don't usually have. If algae is growing directly on the plants, that is often a great indicator that your plants are lacking good nutrition and are too weak to fight off the algae that wants to grow on them.

Too many nutrients does NOT cause algae. Nutrient deficiencies, CO2 imbalances, and too much ammonia will cause algae.

Thanks!! I will be ordering some today

 

So I fought this for almost a year - same thing - brown algae on my plants. Everyone told me liquid fert, tabs, random lighting cycles, blah blah blah. Turns out my tap water had a high diatoms (silicone content ). I tried for months to stop it. What was able to cure it for me was Tetra AlgaeControl Freshwater Aquarium Algaecide. I chose this one since feedback was it was plant safe. Within minutes (no joke!) the algae was gone and water was clear. I was VERY hesitant to use it, but results are very visible. I was using it as a step to treat my water for water changes - but I moved a month ago and my water supply doesn't have the same issue. God speed!

 

So I fought this for almost a year - same thing - brown algae on my plants. Everyone told me liquid fert, tabs, random lighting cycles, blah blah blah. Turns out my tap water had a high diatoms (silicone content ). I tried for months to stop it. What was able to cure it for me was Tetra AlgaeControl Freshwater Aquarium Algaecide. I chose this one since feedback was it was plant safe. Within minutes (no joke!) the algae was gone and water was clear. I was VERY hesitant to use it, but results are very visible. I was using it as a step to treat my water for water changes - but I moved a month ago and my water supply doesn't have the same issue. God speed!

Yes unfortunately I got the Nicolog and it has helped a little bit perk the plants up but I do still have the ugly Brown taking over a lot of them. I have lost so much money trying to keep plants in my tank. It seems like as it's killing off the plants which while doing so it's also reproducing and growing all over everything else. I just might have to have it tested and give it a try. Honestly it's been so frustrating I've been ready to just give the aquarium thing up all together until we've moved a year from now. Thank you so much for this information!! I'm going to look into this and give it a try..