General Care Discussion :: Brown algae removal

[raulito_b]

I have a 55 gallon tank with one red eared slider and the water is pretty clear but I noticed I started to get brown algae build up this week. Any advice on how to remove it and keep it from coming back?
I have a Fluval canister filter.


Thanks!

[steve]

Here's the page on Algae control: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=28813

Does the tank receive direct sunlight?

[penelope]

If it is brown algae for real then on top of whatever measures you take to clear the tank, take your little one out and wipe the shell with water (use gauze or any soft cloth). Do it as often as needed. In short - do not allow brown algae grow on its shell.

[raulito_b]

No it does not get direct sunlight but his shell does not look healthy now. I will wipe it off today.
I was told I might have nitrates to high so thats why I have brown algae.

http://www.dropbox.com/s/hrlspob77nzf667/20130422_120049.jpg

[raulito_b]

Thanks for the link! Is it possible i have high phosphates and might have to use phosphate removal pads?

[devilduck]

How often are you doing water changes?

[raulito_b]

This tank setup is barely a month old so I haven't done one yet.

[steve]

The shell doesn't look too bad, though I do a gently cleaning and inspect it. I'm sure it would look great after a full shed.

[raulito_b]

Yeah I cleaned up his shell some yesterday, it was pretty dirty. I'll spot check it today again to get anything I missed.

[devilduck]

Brown algae sound like diatoms, they sometimes occur in new tank setups and will disappear eventually. They feed on silicates and and once the silicates have exhausted in the tank they will die off. Meanwhile just manually remove them.

http://www.aquascapingworld.com/algaepe ... item_id=79