Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

I have 3 types of snails; MTS, ramshorn and apple snails. Please let me know which snails are best to help rid a tank of brown algae.

Brown is actually diatoms, not algae. I read somewhere that pond snails will eat it. I use BN pleco's to control algae and diatoms. They keep the glass clean, and most of the rest of the tank as well.

Are we talking Brown algae ( Which are diatoms, like toddnbecka said.) in a freshwater tank, or in a brackish tank?

The best algae control i've found in a brackish tank, is an algae scrubber and a lot of hard work

As for freshwater diatoms, i'm not sure if pond snails would do the trick. I really only have experience with that type of algae in BW systems.

-John

Hi Neonshrimp,

I use Neritina turrita, Neritina (thorned type),Clithon brenspinas, and Septaria porcellana..........they seem to be able to clean the tank and plants of just about anything!

its not a snail, but flying fox algea eaters do a wonderfull job on brown algea. i had a brown algea problem but i traced it back to the high mineral content of my tap water . I switched to a better water conditioner and added a canister filter to my tank and the problem is gone.