Brown Hair Like Algae In Aquarium

It will usually appear in the first few months of setting up a reef aquarium.

Brown hair like algae in aquarium.

Brown algae is not really algae at all. Brown algae is also a sign that the water chemistry of your aquarium is not in optimal balance. There are actually two widespread conditions that are mixed up with the term brown algae. Green hair algae is one of the most commonly known.

It forms coats or short filaments that grow close together and that are tremendously difficult to remove from your aquarium. Brown algae is a common occurrence in a newly set up aquarium. If you don t treat hair algae quickly it has the potential to grow like mad. Brown diatom algae is not an alga but a single celled organism that appears in an aquarium when there is an abundance of silicate.

Time nerite snails cerith snails and margarita snails can all help to reduce diatoms. The mossy brown stuff that you are worried about is caused by diatoms and is known as diatomaceous brown algae. Brown algae or silica algae are some of the most troublesome algae that the aquarists find difficult to prevent. The level of phosphate should be 05 ml per liter and the level of nitrate should be 10ml per liter.

Brown algae having the ability to survive in low light conditions brown algae are a form of diatom and can be seen both in freshwater and saltwater. As it grows it takes on the appearance of silky green hair. What is also noteworthy is there is evidence of some diatom algae as a green colored slime like algae instead of the much more common brown diatom algae that is a common problem with new aquariums. Aquariums kept in dark places are also more likely to develop brown algae problems because the plants and green algaes that grow in bright light compete for the nutrients diatoms need.

As hair algae exist when phosphate and nitrates exist in the aquarium water then it means that if you want to get rid of the hair algae you need to lower the level of phosphate and nitrates.