Algae Problem

[rdd1952]

If it is blue green algae, there aren't any algae eaters that will eat it. Actually, it isn't an algae at all but cyano bacteria. As already suggested, cut the amount of time your lights are on as that is a big booster of this stuff. Also, make sure the tank isn't in a position that it gets direct sunlight (even some indirect sunlight will feed this stuff. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to get rid of.

As for algae eaters, I would suggest true siamese algae eaters (black strip down side continues into the tail). I have those in one tank and otos in the other and the otos just don't seem to do much. Stay away from chinese algae eaters as they will do a good job while they are young but turn aggressive as they get older and will attack the other fish, especially flat bodied fish.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Yes, to identify the true Siamese Algae eater (SAE) use the lin i provided in an above post and scroll to the bottum. There is an explantaion and photos to help u identify and understand key features of the SAE.

as for u dwarfgourami, id read the link i provided (ahhh bugger it, ill put it back in this post too ) and read up on your type of algae. I dont think increasing lighting would be useful in your case as u are already running them 12hrs/day. Decrease to 8.

http/www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9

 

[dwarfgourami]

thanks, that link was really good. not sure about decreasing light, though, as it states brown algae is caused by lack of light. my light aren't terribly strong and my tanks are in dark corners. perhaps i'll just leave the lighting levels as they are.

 

[rdd1952]

decreasing light, though, as it states brown algae is caused by lack of light. my light aren't terribly strong and my tanks are in dark corners. perhaps i'll just leave the lighting levels as they are.

I'm somewhat confused on the brown algae thing too. Mine started and was running rampant on my 75 gallon toward the end of the cycling. This is a heavily planted tank and the lights (260 watts) were on 24 hours a day during cycling. There's no way that I could have added any more lighting.

 

[Mr Miagi]

It also said high silicate levels. Anything in your tank you think could be producing it?

 

[dwarfgourami]

"It also said high silicate levels. Anything in your tank you think could be producing it? "

Hmmm... dunno. Both tanks contain 4-5 live plants; then one has a slate bridge (bought in lfs), the other has 2 pieces of bogwood. No difference in level of algae growth between the two. What does produce silicate?

 

[Kirsty]

Tigger (my new algae eater) seems to have resolved my algae problem, he seems to love it.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Same here! Both tanks were squeaky clean within 24 hours of adding fish!

 

[rdd1952]

I wish I could say the same thing. I did just remember though that I added a rock and slate cave. I think one of the rocks was actually 2 that had been stuck together with aquarium silicone. I guess that is the problem but it's hard to believe that it could make that much difference. After all, we're only talking about maybe a bead 3" long and 1/8" wide and this has been going on now for 3 or 4 weeks.