Green Algae Problem

[barrycuda]

i have a heavily planted 60 litre tank (planted with mexican oakleaf plant so many that there is no floor space left). 60cm tank and has a 13w tube lighting of roughly the same length. probably on like 10-12 hours a day. lately the tank is getting hammered with green algae. slimy stuff that is covering all the plant leafs and gravel, and not so much on the glass. i have to keep cleaning all the leafs with my fingers to stop them from rotting when they get covered in the algae. like a slimy skin comes off the leafs when remove it with fingers. any idea what might be wrong?

 

[barrycuda]

i just looked at that algae guide and i seem to have that blue-green algae. is too many plants causing it? or lack of water circulation because i only have a cheap air driven filter in one corner?. or lack of fish coz i only have a few danio fry in it. i have two tanks beside each other and only 1 has this algae in it.

 

[Adelphie]

It is my understanding that the best way to get rid of BGA is to have a blackout. Turn off all the lights cover the tank with cardboard and leave it alone for 3-5 days. I have never had the problem myself so I can't promise it will work, but others have to great effect.

To improve circulation consider a powerhead. You can pick up a 900l/m for about £15 which should be fine for your tank. I was getting algae on my slow growing plants because I had a terrible filter so I popped one of those bad boys in and it was much better.

Hope this helps.

 

[aaronnorth]

I agree with the above, perhaps try to cut some of the plants backk to improve flow throughout the tank, but it may still be necassary to get an additional powerhead.