hi anakcili,

Some meds kill algae, some meds prevent it some sticking.
the ones that kill also kill a lot of other stuff including your fish/shrimp, bb[beneficial bacteria] and some sensitive plants.
different algae you have to use different method to cure.

So the question is what type of algae you want to treat,method of treatment you prefer and how much is your budget.

Warm regards

Stan Chung

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Hi Stan
My tank is infested with Brown Algae. I try to use Chinese Algae eater unfortunately this fish left a teeth mark on some of my plant especially M. Umrbosum. I try to purchase Otto and it is quite hard to find in Penang. If I manage to get it also my Otto won't last long. The most it can stay in my tank for 6 months and it die off.

Currently I have 2 SAE and quite happy as they manage to clear my black brush algae but they can clear brown algae which grow on my tank and gravel.

About budget I don't have any specific budget. I am open for suggestion.

Hi,

Depending on the size of your tank,
the new algae eater for medium to large tanks is Garra flavatra. It's a hard worker and if you refer to thread in Aquatic plants section you can see what it looks like.
You can also count on bristlenose pleco's to do the job for med to large tanks.
Other than that Sturisoma aureum [whiptail catfish] CTY has.

for small tank 2ft and below, the best choice is still otocinclus.

If you like us to help you solve the core problem of brown algae, you can post your tank specs and i will try to figure out what's causing it.

Some general info.
It is said excess silicates causes it. [WC helps] Normally occurs in low lighting situations because high lighting will make green spot algae more competitive for nutrients.

regards

stan

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Hi Stan
My tank spec as below

2 feet (60x30x30cm)
40 watt light wit reflector ( 1x18 watt JBL Natur 9000K, 1 x 20 watt Hagen Sun Glo)
Turn on light for 8 hours
CO2 (DIY) which only can last for 3 days. Reason I always change water after 3 days or 4 days.
Water PH is ph6.5
fertilizer tetra flora pride (1ml per day)
Substrate : Plain gravel with bottom is Tetra InitialStick and JBL Fertlizer Ball.
I don't use any filter. I only have powerhead for water movement.


I did not put in any nitrate and phosphate liquid fertilizer.
My algae is currently on my substrate, plant and tank
Plant : Rotala (Green & Red), bacopy, hairgrass, lilaeopsis, umbrosum,
limnophila.

I recommend one garra flavatra[a jumper so keep tank covered] or three otos.

You need phosphate and nitrate for your plants.
Aim for these levels. 1-2ppm phosphate and 5-10ppm NO3

Phosphate and nitrate causing algae is old BS.

Look for KNO3 and KH2PO4. look for chuck gadd's fertilator to help you calculate.

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

1-2 ppm PO4 and 5-10 ppm NO3 is what I add on a daily basis to my tanks. But then again, I have a lot of fast growing stem plants...

Hi Stan/Ruslan
Thank you very much for sharing info with me. I thing I would like to confirm is how do you measure ppm. I am using ready made fertilizer from JBL, Seachem and Nutrafin. I don't have DIY fertilizer. Please advice.

Beside that if I want to make my own fertilizer can you please advise where can I obtain the ingredient such as KNO3 and KH2PO4?

Where do you get the Seachem ferts from?

Hi Ruslan
I am from penang and I got it from a fishshop near BJ Complex.
I purchase Seachem Excel and seachem Iron for RM 30 per bottle.

Could be wrong, but as far as I know, you can't find the stuff in KL...