Algae in the new aquarium

So you got your aquarium set up, and have gradually begun adding fish. Everything is going along just fine, your fish are happy, your filter is keeping the water clean, then after a couple weeks or so, you notice the water turning a brownish color. Slowly at first, but over the next few days, the water is starting to look a bit murky. The browish color I'm talking about is probably being caused by a brown algae growing on the sides and in the water itself. It is a slimy film that will stick itself to almost any surface and makes the tank look dingy.

This form of algae has been a problem for me, until I read somewhere that it is caused by over feeding. This is a problem that many new fish keepers have - the instinct to feed more food than necessary. I tend to feed too much too, and is something I personally am going to have to watch carefully.

The algae lives on the excess proteins that build up by overfeeding. Even if the fish eat it all, it still can remain in their feces. Fish will eat and eat, so it can be difficult to determine how much food to give. The smaller fish, such as the neon tetra will quit eating when they are full, and they dont eat much. Larger fish, such as the gourami and angelfish will over eat. These fish you have to watch. Feed no more than the fish will eat in about a minute or 2, no more. If the fish are growing and you want them to grow, you can feed twice a day, otherwise, once a day is enough.

Because proteins will always exist to some extent with live fish, the amount of food given will determine how much algae will form. Frequent water changes help too, as fresh water will displace some of the proteins that is in the water. The smaller the aquarium the more frequent the water changes. A 10 gallon might need 1/3 of its water changed every week, where a 50 gallon might need the same amount changed once a month or maybe a little longer. My 20 gallon stays pretty clean with 1/3 of it replaced every 2 weeks.

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