Why Is My Aquarium Growing Algae? What Feeds It and What to Change

Red dwarf shrimp among aquarium plants

Algae needs light and nutrients: lights on too long or too bright, direct sunlight, or nitrate and phosphate from food, waste or tap water. New tanks often go through a brown diatom phase, and some algae in a mature tank is normal.

Why Aquarium Plants Turn Brown, and What to Do

Floating plants on an aquarium surface

Brown on an aquarium plant is usually either a coating that rubs off, often diatoms in a new tank, or the leaf itself browning. New plants shed air-grown leaves; on established plants, check nutrients, light, substrate and tankmates, and test the water.

Why My Aquarium Plants Are Melting: 7 Easy Fixes

Why My Aquarium Plants Are Melting

Are your new plants turning to mush? Find out why your aquarium plants are melting and learn simple, effective solutions to fix the problem and grow a lush tank.