brown algae

[I2onL33]

i have brown algae growing in the sand. i got my water tested and the only thing they said was that my calcium level was extremely low. i've been using liquid calcium since then.

first i thought it was the lighting - that i was keeping them on too long, but that doesn't seem to be it either. i dont know what is causing the brown algae. help?

 

[chin]

How long has the tank been set up? If the tank is fairly new, 2 months or less, its normal to have a wave of brown algae towards the end of the cycle. Its kind of natures way of telling you your tank is done cycling. Snails and other tank cleaners will take care of clearing out this wave of algae.

 

[I2onL33]

i bought the tank as a complete setup back in mid december. the seller had his tank setup for about 1.5yrs.

what does it mean exactly to be "at the end of the cycle"?

 

[chin]

When you start a new aquarium the tank needs to cycle or break in. The cycle in reference to is the nitrogen cycle: ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate. In a new aquarium you are waiting for the nitrates to develop. If you got your tank from another hobbyist, than your cycle time will be minimal if any depending on how well/fast the move was.