Brown algea

We are never to old to learn !!!

My tank running now for 5 months, no big problems, brown algae begin to form and multiply by alarming rate, covering all the plant leaves and side of the tank. this starts to happen a month ago but I keep trying to control it. I refuse to use any chemical treatment at all, killing all the good bacteria. Reading articles about light, I recently add another light tube under the hood.
The measurements is as follows Tank size, 900m x 300mm x 310mm (depth) this I measure from average water level to average grid level. I install 3 x 20w standard aquarium tubes, active for 12h a day. now i reduce that to 10h with the hope it help controle the algae, there are no direct or indirect sunlight that can have a effect on the tank. I make use of one inside corner filter, air operated and one spons air filter. now here's my question, what else must i fine tune to keep a good balance in the water to overcome or prevent the algea, just a add, I tested the water every second week, avg ph 6.8-7.5 avg alkalinity 60-80 dpm, with a calcium hardness of ± 25-30dpm. sorry i use the terms .I am in the pool bussiness.
Any suggestions
ADW

 

ADW... the brown algae is very common in new set ups. I didn't realise it could happen 4 months AFTER the set up, but I know that generally a lot of people go through the brown algae stage very early.

It's sad no-one tells you about this stage, because it can be very disheartening for newbies, and they immedietely think they are doing something wrong.

ADW the brown algea is actually called a "diatom". Google it to find out a little bit more. If does eventually go away. In my exterience, when I tried to scrub it away, or wipe it away, it got worse, so I just let it go through the cycle.

It's also good that you testing your water... Just some advice from my side-> The general tropical fish can tolerate a wide difference of pH, as long as it is not changing drastically. If your pH if for example 6.2, and your tap water is 7.4, doing a water change could be challenging for the fish, as the change in pH could cause pH stress. If you keeping more delicate species, then obviously you would need to look at varying the pH using buffers.

I would highly recommend you research the Nitrogen cycle that occurs in your tank. In a nutshell -> fish waste/excess food and plant matter gets converted to Ammonia. The ammonia get converted to Nitrite. Nitrite gets converted to nitrates.

New tanks always go through the ammonia and nitrite SPIKE, both of which a lethal to fish. Nitrates can only be removed through Water changes Fish can tolerate a certain amount of nitrates. When the nitrates get too high, this can be detrimental to the fish, but generally algae will take over as they thrive on nitrates.

 

I think your fish load might be too high. Take out a few Increase the filteration, with regular water changes
ADW you posted at around 4 am. I hope this problem did not keep you up all night hang in there

 

Thanks for the reply, I study the process of cycling ,bud nowhere in articals they mention these diatom "stage" I understand it more clearly now.
I stock the tank on this stage only with 5 Cardinals,5 Glowlight Tetras,5 Couramis.
i do not think the diatom outbreak can be due to overstocking, furthermore I done 2xweek 10% water change, what maybe a problem is filtration and waterflow withe 1x Corner air operated filter and 1xsponse filter, so that means maybe that not enough solid particals are removed from the water ????

ADW

 

Filtration might be your problem then. Most people recommend 2-3 times the volune of your tank in a hour.I guesse your tank is about 100L so that would be 300L/h filter. I :ave never had problems with algea but it may be because I have a lot of pants in my tank that compete for resources so no space for algae. Then again there is a first for everything