While it wont kill your fish, brown algae is one of the worst things that can happen to your aquarium if you have live plants. Brown algae blocks out sunlight and other important nutrients from your plants, which can have a very devastating effect. Like other kinds of algae, brown algae can spread very fast, and must be dealt with immediately if you want to keep your aquarium plants safe. While brown algae can easily be wiped away from glass or other surfaces in your fish tank, that is not the case for aquarium decorations. Today we are going to discuss the steps you should tank if you find brown algae on aquarium decorations.

Brown Algae on Aquarium Decorations

The first step is to always keep an eye out for brown algae. Unlike other forms of algae that can float around and swim, brown algae always attaches itself to an object such as aquarium decorations.

How to remove brown algae from fish tank decorations

1. Remove aquarium decoration from tank
2. Put the decoration in a bowl of a solution that is 1/4 cup of bleach to 1/2 gallon of water.
3. Let it soak in the solution for 15 minutes
4. Wearing plastic gloves, take out the ornaments and put it under a running sink of hot water
5. With a sponge, rub the parts of the ornament that has/had the brown algae
6. Run it under the water for at least 2 minutes, and then place it back in your tank

How to prevent brown algae from growing on aquarium decorations

Just like any other type of algae, brown algae can easily and quickly grow back. It is important that you take the proper steps to ensure that the brown algae doesn’t grow back. You should do the following to make sure the brown algae doesn’t grow back on your ornaments:

Maintain good water filtration

Keep a continuous water flow in your tank

Frequently make water changes

Don’t feed your fish more food than they can consume