Unstoppable Algae?

F-I-G-J-A-M · Jul 12, 2011

Hey guys, I've been having issues with my tank since not long after i got it with a dark greenish grey algae growing over everything in my tank. It doesnt seem to be affecting the fish in any way but it looks awful. I have tried different types of fish none of whom seem to want to eat it, a few different algae treatments which have little if any effect and even tried limiting light to just a few hours a day but nothing seems to stop it. Thank in advance for any advice you can give.

Caprichoso · Jul 12, 2011

Sometimes certain algaes need a 3 day black out period to get rid of it. If you can post some pics of the tank, maybe someone can tell you what algae it is and how to definitively eradicate it. It may be helpful to know how long the tank has been running, what type of lighting, how long you keep the lights on(then and now), do you fertilize, type of filter, size of tank, etc. Most algae eating friends can't keep up with an over abundance of algae but Oto, Hillstream loach, shrimp can be helpful for minor algae(only certain types though).

StandbySetting · Jul 12, 2011

Is the algae hairy? And do you have plants?

KittyKat · Jul 12, 2011

..or does it look like a slimy coat?

F-I-G-J-A-M · Jul 12, 2011

I have had the tank for about a year now. The lights tend to stay on from 10ish to around 5, i tried only giving it around 4 hours of lights but that wasnt really helping. I dont use any fertilizer as any plant i put in the tank is destroyed in a matter of days. the tank is 220L if i remember correctly... The algea is long and hairy. Here is a picture of the stuff i have been stuck with.

Smells a bit fishy · Jul 12, 2011

that looks more black to me, thats alot also. Not my expertise, but it could be hair algae, not sure how to treat, however turning lights out, is it by a window? If so try putting a black bag round it to stop the light getting in

This Old Spouse · Jul 12, 2011

Yikes! That's quite an algae problem!

Try keeping the lights off for a week, and don't feed for several days (the fish will be fine without food for a while). I had an algae problem that cleared itself up when I went out of town for several days. No food and no lights works wonders!

F-I-G-J-A-M · Jul 12, 2011

thanks for the advice guys! I'll give it a go and get back to you with the results in a few day!

StandbySetting · Jul 13, 2011

This is a black out job, manually remove as much as possible, do a large water change and then plunge the tank into complete darkness for 4 days without feeding or having the lights on etc, the tank must be covered to ensure it receives NO light, the fish and plants will be fine, then after the black out, manually remove again, do a large water change and repeat if necessary.

How many Watt's of light are over the tank and what filter do you have on it?

F-I-G-J-A-M · Aug 1, 2011

Back with the results of the black out! Cleared out as much of the algae as i could and wrapped up the tank for four days then after checking my fish were fine and cleaning up a tad more blacked out the tank for another four days. The good news is the algae stopped spreading however the few bits stuck in the gravel never actually died. Thinking i might have to get rid of all the gravel and replace it to get rid of the last of the algae...

KittyKat · Aug 1, 2011

Maybe, but how can you tell if it is alive or not? More often than not, live and deal algae looks the same..

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Unstoppable Algae?

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