what do you think of this?

[twoluvcats]

I have an Eclipse 5 hex tank. When I first set it up, I put an airstone in it...but then was given some bad info and told to take it out...so I did. Since the removal of the airstone the tank has been PLAUGED with brown algae. I just had the ephiphany last night that maybe the removal of the airstone could have something to do with the algae problem.

The way the filter setup is on the eclipse tanks does not make for much agitaition in the water...it ends up being pretty stagnant...so does that just make it easier for the algae spoors to plant themselves on the sides of the tank? And is there any validity in thinking that adding the airstone back may help control the algae problem?

[amanichen]

The way the filter setup is on the eclipse tanks does not make for much agitaition in the water...it ends up being pretty stagnant...so does that just make it easier for the algae spoors to plant themselves on the sides of the tank?

Yes, yes, and yes.

There's also the fact that with aeration there'll be more dissolved oxygen in the water. More oxygen means more opportunities for aerobic bacteria to break down DOCs, and less opportunity for other microbes to have a meal.

Of course, I think the more significant factor here is the lack of real circulation, and has much less to do with the oxygen level.