Turning brown algae into green algae?

Question

I have been having a bad problem with the growth of brown algae in my 55 gallon and I want to grow some green algae. I have narrowed the problem down to the water in my area which is high in posphates or something, but I was looking for some way to get around this, is there something I am able to put into my water to get it right?

Answer 1

Those are totally different types of algae. It's not a matter of just changing the color of the algae you've got. Your pH levels would have to be altered to grow various types of algae, although I haven't owned fish in a long time (my cats wish I did, though) so I haven't had any need for an aquarium or other such tank.

Additional note: I just found the link below which says there are more than 7,000 species of green algae. So you may have to narrow it down a bit unless you've got 7,000 tanks to try growing each one. :-)

Answer 2

You can switch your tap water with drinking water you buy or the water that comes in your fridge. Also there are many kits and chemicals that fish stores sell that will neutralize the phosphates. If you want scrub off all the brown algae and go buy algae pellets or something which will stimulate the growth of green algae.

Answer 3

I can agree with some of the comments posted but most answer is directed more to water quality.High levels of Phospates can actually promote the growth of algea whether it's green brown red or black.Some algea can even be fuzzy or hairy.My question and possible solution to you is. What kinds of lights are you using incandescent or flourescent? Second when was the last time that you changed your bulbs?Most Flourescent tubes lose their color spectrum after 6 months so it's possible that the spectrum in your bulb to be promoting the brown algea to grow.Sometimes diiatoms can be mistaken for brown algea so is the tank still cycling?
I do'nt have all your answer because this is can be a freshwater or saltwater question. I'll leave that for the Experts to answer.I'm just trying to offer a different solution to your question.

Answer 4

Before the green algae can set it, you'll have to completely rid the tank of the brown stuff.

I was getting a bad case of brown algae, and it had to do with my lighting.

What I did was take all the rock and decor out and bleached it with clorox, then sent it through the dishwasher (without dish soap, it was to rince and remove the bleach) Then I let it dry completely.

Next I used clorox clean-up spray on the tank.

(gravel had been removed into buckets)

After rinsing the heck out of the tank (one hose bringing water in, another sucking it out) and thoroughly drying it (being completely dry is key, it's the only way to deactivate the bleach, drying in sunlight is best) I then set everything back up and filled it with water.

I changed my bulbs to a plant growing variety, not the standard issue florescent.

Low and behold, 3 weeks later I have bright green algae.

I let this grow on my castle ruins, and on certain rocks. Where I don't want it, I scrub or bleach it off.

Now, it can get out of hand if you leave it sit. I had gone out of town for two weeks, and when I came home I had actual strands of the stuff growing off my filter outflow tube.

Putting your tank by a window that gets a lot of sun will grow green algae too.

I have two tanks of Cichlids, and they seem to enjoy "grazing". Being selective about where it's growing has added a certain "aged" look that I like... but having it around has greatly increased my time in maintaining the look of the tank.

Answer 5

You can buy chemicals to remove the phosphates in your tank....But you could also use fast growing plants to use up the phosphates and out compete the algae...I assume you are talking about freshwater aquariums....