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 Is There Brown Stuff in My Aquarium? How to Tell What It Is

Snail on aquarium glass with algae spots

A dusty brown coat that wipes off easily is usually diatoms (brown algae), common in new tanks. Brown fluff on the gravel is mulm; brown slime that peels off in sheets and smells musty is cyanobacteria. Each needs a different fix.