Regular Member Phil B. Posted August 3, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted August 3, 2016 (edited) Hey guys. I'm going crazy here trying to keep the brown algae off my plant leaves, but have heard that Nerites are good at cleaning it? So I'm willing to give them a try.Tank conditions: 75 gal with 3 goldies.Ammonia and Nitrites near zero.Nitrates in the 20-30 ppm range.Ph 8.0 KH 5.0 GH around 4.5 We tend to get white spots/mineral deposits, so I assume that indicates calcium in the water? Thinking of ordering snails on Amazon from Aquatic Arts. OR can someone recommend a better source? Edited August 3, 2016 by Phil B. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Mikey Posted August 3, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted August 3, 2016 I would increase your water changes if they are at 20-30 already. What are they coming out of the tap? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member fantailfan1 Posted August 3, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted August 3, 2016 My nerites don't touch the brown algae on my plants . . . . 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member HomerJay Posted August 3, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted August 3, 2016 Bushy nose plecos are the best for that brown algae. That being said, algae is usually caused by some imbalance with lights and water parameters and nutrients. the trick is finding the right balance and keeping it stable. Good luck. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Phil B. Posted August 4, 2016 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 4, 2016 Seems like I've been fighting the stuff for a good 8-10 months, and none of my java ferns seem to be thriving as a result. Thankfully my moss balls and Anubias (despite the brown splotches) seem to be fine. Goodness knows I've tried everything from Phosphate pillows, to plant fertilizers. Both of which I've discontinued. Nitrates are already a little over 5.0 right out of the tap, but I suppose jumping from 50% to 80% per week wouldn't do any harm. :/ Wil have to check if any of the LFS have a Bristlenose. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member HomerJay Posted August 4, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted August 4, 2016 How long are your lights on and what type of lights are you running? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Phil B. Posted August 4, 2016 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 4, 2016 I've got a pair of Finnex Stingrays going. Both stay on for around 5 hours. One, for around 9. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member HomerJay Posted August 4, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted August 4, 2016 Try messing around with how long they are on. You can maybe try just running them for 5 hours. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Phil B. Posted August 4, 2016 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 4, 2016 Sounds like a plan. Lord knows I've tried just about everything else. I've always just assumed this stuff was diatoms rather than plant algae, and haven't messed with the lighting much. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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