Brown Algae

[jacovors]

I have a question about brown algae.
My pond walls and top portion of the media in my Bakki Shower is coated with brown algae.

There are some green algae on the walls but far less than the brown.
What is causing this?
The pond is getting enough sun during the day. A part of the shower receives full sun and also has brown algae.
My algae have never been green enough for my liking and I thought the shower will change that.
Pics of people's ponds with Bakki Showers on always showed very healthy green algae.
Pond 5 years old and very clean.
Regular water changes 30% weekly

NitrAtes about 5ppm.
PH 8.0
Hardness 120ppm
Kh 30ppm
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0

[kingkong]

Algae species have their own unique set of adaptations. Brown algae seems to like these environmental conditions;
lower light than green
abundance of nutrients nitrate....phosphate
too little oxygen
excess silicates..... minerals
thrive in harder water...alkaline water
Have you tried adding plecos for maintenance?

[jacovors]

Thanks KK,

Our Winters here are too cold for plecos.
Having a Bakki Shower with a turnover of 1.2 hours I cannot believe oxygen to be low.
The algae is growing even in full sun on the media.
Must be something in our tapwater.
Any other suggestions?

[kingkong]

Do you see this brown algae explosion in friend's ponds that are using the same water? Are you using any unique rocks or boulders around pond's edge? What is the surface material of the tank? Tap water or well water?

[jacovors]

Hi KK,

Pond is fiberglassed.
Looked like this for some time.
Other people in the area have green algae, not as green as the pics I saw of Bakki ponds but much greener than mine.
My pond is 2.6m deep, could that be a problem?

[mekoi]

Hi,

New to this board, just want to share my experienced

Did you use any type medication in your pond lately. My pond walls turned brownish too after I used PP and its FG as well

[jacovors]

Hi mekoi,

No treatments done for some time.
Will take some pictures tonight to post here.
Should give all a better idea of what I am talking about.
Thanks,

[mekoi]

Hi Jaco,

Actually my pond walls now have different shades. One or two walls are green when the sun hits but the rest are brownish coz they are under the roof. I've checked my filters too and they too have same shade of brown on the walls. If you can check some of your pluming you might notice they have same shade of brown on them.

jon

[kingkong]

Quote: Originally Posted by jacovors Hi KK, Pond is fiberglassed. Looked like this for some time. Other people in the area have green algae, not as green as the pics I saw of Bakki ponds but much greener than mine. My pond is 2.6m deep, could that be a problem?

Wow, 8 feet plus in depth. I do not have a tank to compare to that monster. My guess is since freinds are using same water but getting green population, your tank water might be cooler and submerged walls are receiving less light. I have brown algae mostly inside pvc pipes I think.

[jacovors]

Thanks All,

I believe the brown inside the pvc pipe is mostly biofilm.
I got this e-mail from someone today.

Hi Jaco

IMHO the brown is a biofilm. When you look closely at a mature biofilter the thin slimey layer of brown is where the good bacteria live. They like to adhere to a surface and the film which is a sort of mucopolysaccharide layer helps protect the bacteria to some extent. I regard this brown film as a good sign.