Algae Problem

[Tim_UK]

I wonder if anyone can help me with the following.

Over recent weeks my aquarium - an Aqua One 40 litres - has become somewhat infected with a nasty looking algae which is on a lot of the plants.

I have attached a picture which may help explain:

The tank has 4 neons, a cory, and a guppy so I don't think it is overcrowded or being overfed. The tank was set-up about 6 months ago, the only losses were two cherry shrimps a few months ago.

Grateful for any advice - I am not a great fan of adding chemicals to the tank - it would be wonderful if someone could suggest a fish that might eat this algea.

 

[KittyKat]

Cyanobacteria: nothing you've done wrong. Usually caused by high phosphate levels. To get rid of it, clean every surface in the tank meticulously (I siphon the stuff out), do water changes more regularly (assuming your tap water is low in phosphates), cut the lights and reduce feeding for a few weeks.

Or you can kill it off with something anti-bacterial, given that it is a bacteria, but that carried its own problems.

It is NOT an algae and nothing will eat it.

 

[WILDER]

What colour is the algae. Sorry my eyes are not the best.

Is the tank near direct sunlight?
Do you over feed.
How often do you maintain the tank. Gravel vac and water change.
Do you over filter your tank.
How long do you have tank lights on.

Can you post water stats please.

 

[ian]

I agree, it's blue green algae, although I have never heard it caused by high phosphates, I do know it's very hard to get rid of, low nitrates help this kind of algae. Do youdose any plant foods? Also a blackout may be in order, for this kind of algae.

 

[Tim_UK]

thanks for your comments so far.

I change 10% of the water each week.

I check for Nitrite and Nitrate with tetra test kits each week and the readings are always the lowest on the colour cards.

The tank is not in direct sunlight - we are not having much in anycase here in England. The light is on from about 3pm to 10pm.

I don't use any plant foods. The plants I have are all growing well and I have to prune these every couple of weeks.

 

[KittyKat]

although I have never heard it caused by high phosphates

Here, here, here and here. So reducing phosphate will either not affect the bacteria at all or help kill it off, depending on which species you have (which is pretty much impossible for us common people to find out).

 

[WILDER]

Take a sample of your water to the lfs and ask them to write the readings down for you.
Test strip cards are not accurate. Liquid test kits are the best.

I would do larger water changes of 30%.
Do you also use a gravel vac.
Black the tank out and keep the lights off.
Increase aeration.

 

[Mamashack]

I agree it definitely looks like blue green algae - had this problem a few weeks ago and it was caused primarily by low nitrAtes and too long with the lights on. I did a total black-out for 3 days. The fish were ok - even the fry and they survived on micro-organisms, algae and previously uneaten food. It worked a treat with no fish losses.
Now I have a timer on my lights for 2 x 4 hour sessions and feed my plants with a low tech food and so far all has been well - "love fish plant fertiliser" (PetsAtHome)

 

[levahe]

I used the love fish plant fertiliser for a while with good results

 

[the_lock_man]

Ancient topic, guys.