I have recently had a more recurring problem with algae. I have to clean my tank and filter about every 3 days, and when i take out my filter it is always completely filled with dark brown algae in it, and my aquarium walls are also caked with algae. Any suggestions on what could be causing this?

thanks

What size tank and do you have a light on it?? What fish are in the tank??

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50 Bowfront, 2 Acei, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Orange, 1 Albino, 2 Blue African Cichlids
30 Gal, 3 Fantail Goldfish, 1 Black Ryukin, 1 Common Pleco
20 Gal, Mollies, Platies, Cories, Algae Eaters
15 Gal, Swordtails, Balloon Mollies, Rasboras
10 Gal, 2 Knight Gobies
10 Gal, 2 Bolivian Rams
1.5 Gal, Male Betta

First a few questions about your setup::

Is your tank mature or is it still in the beginning phases of building bacteria?

If mature, how often are you doing water changes and how much each time?

How is your lighting of the aquarium? Fluorescent, actinic, halogen, metal halide, incandescent?

How often and how much are you feeding your inhabitants?

What is the temperature of your aquarium?

Answers to these questions will help me solve your dilemma.



Hope this helps.

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Scott • iFrog Director
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iFrog • Expand Your Awareness
www.ifrog.us

Welcome to the site.

Sounds like Diatoms. Caused by silicates in the water. Very common in new tanks. It will get much better as your tank matures. Look up Diatom Algae on the internet and read about it. I still have minor problems with it after a year, but my water has a lot of silcates.

RO is the best choice for heavy silicates. So I've found.

Distilled water bought at Wallyworld (Walmart) and other places is a good choice; although it can get expensive with larger systems.



Hope this helps.


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Scott • iFrog Director
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iFrog • Expand Your Awareness
www.ifrog.us

I am by no means an expert on the cause but I feel that I am on the eradication of it - Otto catfish. I was getting overrun by the crap, researched here and everyone said get an Otto. Well, I bought two. Those two little guys pretty much wiped it out in about 2 weeks.

Groovy.

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Scott • iFrog Director
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iFrog • Expand Your Awareness
www.ifrog.us

Will an Otto survive an African Cichlid tank? My Ali's are about 6 inches long.

I have this brown diatoms and I have cut the lights off for a week, reduced feeding to minimal levels and it's still there. Plus of course, weekly 50% wc's. It's not gotten any worse but I'd like for it to be gone.

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60g tall, all artificial plants, Rainbow tank; 55g for African Cichlids. 20g long for fry; 20g hex, 2 black Angels at my desk; 10g planted, with 50 Molly fry; 10 gal, 2x 13w cfl lightning, planted; 2g hex for "Buddy the Betta"; Wanting a 200g +, MTS getting bad.

Its tough to say. As a general rule, Cichlids have a tradition of being bullies. This bullying waxes and wanes from species to species and even from individual to individual.

I would err on the side of caution and say no bueno with that pairing.

However, you can always give it a try and be prepared to relocate if a one sided UFC match breaks out.



Hope this helps.
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__________________
()/....(.)~(.)
()/...(-------)
---ooO-----Ooo---
Scott • iFrog Director
--------------------
iFrog • Expand Your Awareness
www.ifrog.us