Algae Problem

[fatbobsufc]

The sand at the bottom of my tank has suddenly become overrun with algae. The tank has been established for over six months and this is a new problem.

It suddenly began a couple of weeks ago and I don't know why. Just so you all know the situation I've attached a picture of the algae. This amount of growth appeared 3 days after I stirred all the other algae into the sand until none was visible. How can it re-appear in such a short time?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

wOw!

Do you have high NitrAtes? I think that algae uses them. It's good to get/add plants as they also use NitrAtes. I have never seen it like that though, it looks like mould

 

[fatbobsufc]

It could be high nitrates. I have to admit I haven't had time to do so many water changes lately and the tests have picked up some Nitrates. I did do a 20% water change about three weeks ago.

Could a water change get rid of the problem? Or do I need to buy an algae eating fish?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Water changes are the only way to get rid of nitrAtes although plants use them as food to a certain extent. I think you should do more water changes IMO before thinking to add fish simply for your algae problem.

I change 20% weekly in my tanks. Some nitrAtes are fine and normal but over 20 isn't so good unless you have messy fish (which, looking at your sig, you don't). I have 20 in my coldwater tank and goldfish are notoriously messy. Clean the algae and step up your water changes and see what happens.

HTH

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Just noticed that there's NO algae on the rocks in your pic. Is it only on the sand? I would be worried about that, algae would love those rocks and your plants. Do you stir up the sand to get rid of bad bacteria pockets?

 

[Paradise_Gourami]

You should get a pleco or two that might hepl a bit

 

[fatbobsufc]

Do you stir up the sand to get rid of bad bacteria pockets?

I try to stir up the whole of the substrate about once a month (it requires removing EVERYTHING from the tank). I do however stir the affected areas every week or so.

I don't know if it's relevant but my substrate is a couple of inches deep.

 

[fatbobsufc]

BTW here's another teaser - every morning when the tank light comes on, the algae is gone! By bedtime however, it is covered again.

 

[fatbobsufc]

Sorry, just thought of something else too. I recently lost three Corys within a couple of days.