Fighting brown algae and diatoms in the aquarium

Brown algae and diatoms

Brown algae are also called diatoms or diatoms. Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) is the scientific name. This alga usually forms during the start-up period of the aquarium. Hardscape, back wall, leaves, glassware and windows can get stuck under a brown, slimy layer of these diatoms.


Diatoms on the bottom

Cause of brown algae in the aquarium

Diatoms build their skeleton from silicon dioxide (SiO2). Tap water usually contains a fair amount of silicate. In a newly set up aquarium, which is filled with a lot of fresh tap water, a lot of food is available for these diatoms. Due to the lack of competition, the brown algae can develop explosively. Although the aquarium does not look fresh, it is normal for these algae to be present in the aquarium.

Measures against diatom algae

Brown algae are generally easy to remove. The slimy layer can be removed by hand, for example, but also with brushes or window scrapers. There are many species of algae-eating fish, snails and shrimp that like to eat these diatoms. As mentioned earlier; does this algae occur in a newly started aquarium? Then be patient. After some time, the algae will disappear and lose the competition with other algae species. It is possible that the lighting intensity is below average. A solution may be to intensify the lighting (not the duration, but the intensity).

If the problem with the diatoms persists for a long time, the cause should be sought in the presence of silicate. Use a water test to measure the silicate content. To reduce the value, an Osmosis device could be used, preferably equipped with an additional silicate filter. Such a device will remove most of the silicate from the water. In addition, special filter materials are available that can reduce the silicate content in the aquarium. It is also possible that other substances are filtered out of the water, which may be useful for aquarium plants.

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Do you have additional information, remarks or comments on this article? Then leave a comment below. For help with individual situations, please contact us or consult the aquascaping forum.

Posted in: Algae

Comments

Bruine of groene alg
By: J.M.L. smeets On 11/08/2023
Rating:
★★★★★ (5.0)

Ik heb 2 verse Tanganika aquariums staan de een begint nu balans te vinden .ook door het goed groeien van de vallisneria.
De andere zitten tropheus moorri in dit zijn dus echte algeneters en lusten ook wel een blaadje hier heb ik de vallisneria gigantisch in staan de tropheus schraapt goed van de bruine alg .
Maar persoonlijk zou ik groene mooier vinden .nu led verlichting 6500k 8 uur per dag bak is 40cm hoog 50 diep 150 lang
Tips voor groene alg zijn welkom.
Bestaat de kans dat dit gaat gebeuren
Bruine alg
By: Jean-Marc Haegeman On 12/10/2021
Rating:
★★★★★ (5.0)

Wij hebben net een aquarium (Styleline 125 met de basic led verlichting 6500K) opgestart en nu last van bruin alg en gele verkleuring van het water. Momenteel verversen we het water 2 maal per week 30% van het water. Maar we willen toch wat extra ondersteuning bieden. Daarom dachten we eraan om Seachem Purigen toe te voegen aan onze filter. Ik zie op jullie website dat jullie dit verkopen? Hier had ik nog een paar vragen over.
1 Is dit product hiervoor geschikt?
2 Ik heb een Oase biomaster 250 als filter. Waar in de filter moet ik dit product dan plaatsen? Ik dacht het te plaatsen in het laatste compartiment daar zit nu een mousse biomaster 30ppi oranje. Moet ik deze mousse verwijderen of mag dit product daar gewoon bijgeplaatst worden? Eventueel andere tips zijn ook altijd welkom

Replied by: Wilco Piest On 12/17/2021 Seachem Purigen zou ik niet direct adviseren om in te zetten tegen bruinalg. Purigen is wel altijd in te zetten voor het verbeteren van de helderheid van het water. Seachem PhosBond zou een veel betere keuze zijn tegen bruinalg. Dit soort filtermaterialen dan altijd zo laat mogelijk in het filterproces plaatsen. In dit geval is onder de oranje spons in het bovenste mandje een prima plek.

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Fighting brown algae and diatoms in the aquarium

Brown algae and diatoms

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Bruine of groene alg

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Fighting brown algae and diatoms in the aquarium

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Bruine of groene alg

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