Brown Algae

Well my planted aquarium has been running like a charm for the last month or so. After the weekend water change my water was cloudy for a day or two, and now I have this slimy brown algae. I have had this cloudiness before and suspected a bacteria bloom. When I test the water I have 0 nitrites and 0 ammonia. So it remains a bit of a mystery but does clear up in a few days.

After the cloudiness, I am left with this brown algae that looks slimy and easily floats of off the plants. I have had this type of algae before. If I didn't know any better I would think it is Blue Green Algae. The difference is it does not grow in sheets but strands, its not blue green, and it does not smell. This does not seem to common of an algae for planted tanks so maybe I will post some pictures in hopes of helping anyone else who comes across it.

I try to keep phosphates under 1 and they where between 1 and 2. Some people can fertilize their phosphates between 1-2 PPM but I always seem to get into trouble closer to the 1 PPM mark. Perhaps this is the trigger.

I will wait it out, do an few extra water changes and it should pass. I want to get things cleared up so I can start to sell/trade the plants online. I trim enough plants on a weekly basis to easily plant a 10 gallon aquarium and I hate to throw them out.

I will update tomorrow with a pic of the algae. Hopefully things have started to clear up.