Brown & Fuzzy

[EncryptedGod]

I'm pretty sure it's algea. But first things first. My tank setup:

*60gl tnk
*Aurora 525 with Ceramic rings. Coarse, medium and 2 fine pads. and Tray 2 and 3 full of 2 liters of Matrix each.
*X2 Bala sharks
*X2 bubblers
*fake plants
*decorations

I Live in a 2 bdrm apt. The tank is in the living room. Lots of light (constantly) so I wrap the tank in a blanket all day and take it off at dusk. Turn the Led lights on for about 8-9 hours (timed by Alexa). I usually go to bed @ around the same time alexa turns off the light. I wrap the tank and go to bed. Then repeat. Been doing that close to a year.

I'm still getting that dark brown fuzzy stuff and a brown film on the glass. Easily cleaned but every 3-4 weeks?

Question: do I need or can I add a algae eater if that's the problem. Or what can I do to eleviate this issue.

 

[lilirose]

That looks like BBA, which is Black Beard Algae (or Black Brush Algae). The stuff on the glass might be diatoms but it's hard to tell.

If you don't have live plants in the tank, you don't need to have the LED light on so much- you can literally just have it on while you're in the room. The fish will do just fine without it.

There are protocols for treating BBA with peroxide or Seachem Excel but I have no experience with this in a non-planted tank. For the BBA you might take the decorations out and soak them in peroxide or regular chlorine bleach then scrub them down (also be sure to thoroughly dechlorinate before putting them back).

Otocinclus catfish might eat this algae, but I hestiate to recommend this as they are small fish and could become Bala Shark snacks, and also usually any fish that eats algae will make poop that encourages algae growth, thus not really solving the problem. If you decide to go this route, Otos do best in groups- you need at least six or eight, but more is better, as they are usually wild-caught and live in groups of many thousands in the wild.

 

[EncryptedGod]

I used to have a Plecostomus a long time ago with 2 cyclids. It got pretty big, bout 6-7". Could I get another one, I mean would that work

 

[lilirose]

Plecos will not eat BBA and will definitely excrete stuff in their poop that will encourage the growth of all algae.

The idea of fish that will clean your tank for you is a myth. Cleaning needs to be done by the aquarium keeper.

 

[kallililly1973]

True Siamese Algae Eaters will eat BBA but usually only when their young 1/2-3/4" Once they get bigger they will get lazy and usually just feed on the food you drop into your tank. I agree with the above to remove your affected decorations and put in a bucket of very very hot water and Hydrogen Peroxide and the Algae will turn red and eventually die and you can scrub it off.

 

[EncryptedGod]

Yea. I have been cleaning my tank regularly or when needed. Not a big deal for me as I enjoy it. The sole purpose of the Led lights is for the ambience "feel". I love to watch the sharks swim around. So anyways.... I juss thought of filling the tank up a bit more with compatibile fish