Green Algae

[EMdina]

I'm affraid if my fish stay still long enough it will cover them too...
I just did a very thorough water change Sunday night- cleaned the gravel, added some new gravel, cleaned off the leaves of the plants, etc...I've been layed up (had minor surgery on Monday) the past few days and finally made my way downstairs today to find the algae is back....ugghh....
the parameters are great- the temp is at 81F...what should I do? I have an Algae Fix product that I've never used- as I prefer to steer clear of those things..but I'm tempted to use it...anyone ever try it? should I use it or is there a better, non- toxic way to clear out the algae...I did have a flying fox in there a while back- but he died from an ich treatment and I never replaced him...I think he was helping...maybe I should get another...don't suggest a pleco- cuz they creep me out...
Anyway, any advice would be appreciated....thanks...
Ericka

 

[Lateral Line]

I would always avoid chemicals. The algae is growing so quickly because it is in conditions it likes. Light, phosphates, nitrates and other nutrients nutrients.

You either need something to eat it, Otocinclus for example, or Siamese Algae Eaters, (not Chinese!!!), or take away something it needs to grow.

If you do not have live plants, you could cut your lighting - but that generally means the green algae gives way to brown algaes which are generally more of a problem.

Are you overfeeding, (nitrates)? Are you using pH buffers, (phosphates)? These are classic sources of algae problems.

Higher plants are more efficient convertors of light than algae, so lots of higher plants will outcompete the algae for the resources, but even then, if you have a nutrient soup - you'll have problems.

Finally - if you do add your chemicals - and they work, watch your system, the dead and dying material could spike your tank.

 

[Fly258]

What do you mean by "higher plants" L.L.?

 

[Lateral Line]

Sorry - algae and certain other small organisms are lower plants, things you can pick up, hold without it dropping into a pile of goo and say "that is a plant" are higher plants.

There is a lot more to it - some higher plants are higher than others. Grass is, for example, a "C4" plant - it has a very advanced metabolism.

Old biology teacher would be proud of me!

 

[EMdina]

Hi
I have an otto- but he doesn't really seem to clean too much...and I have tons of live plants...but they are being covered with this slimy green muck too...I keep taking them out and washing them off....I don't feed my fish too much- sometimes I go every other day- depending on what I've just fed them...this is just getting so frustrating...I don't like using any chem. products as I have rummy noses and Rams and they are both pretty sensitive to chemicals...
thanks for the info....I will try putting more plants in- it will be a total jungle...
E

 

[Fly258]

Cheers L.L, I didnt think they were the ones nearest the surface..........honest )

 

[Fly258]

L.L.
Do higher plants need phosphate to thrive? If not, then surely getting rid of the phosphates would also get rid of the alge. Or is it not that simple?

 

[AquaNut]

I'm just wondering, by your description of it as slimy green muck that covers the leaves of your live plants in just a few days, if it could possibly be cyano bacteria, or blue green algae. Does it have a really strong organic smell when you disturb it? Is it covering the gravel like a blanket?

 

[Moe]

You have to figure out if it blue green algae or green spot algae. If it is blue green algae a slimy greenish brown coating over everything that can easily be disturbed by moving the water around it - it will sometimes even flap up in a sheet. If it is blue green algae you can treat your tank with erythromycin to get rid of it. If it is green spot algae which usually starts out as bright green spots on the glass there is no fish that will eat it or a way get rid of it as far as I know except using a razor blade to scrape it off. If anyone knows a secret way to get rid of green spot algae I'd love to hear it.

 

[rsz]

You have to figure out if it blue green algae or green spot algae. If it is blue green algae a slimy greenish brown coating over everything that can easily be disturbed by moving the water around it - it will sometimes even flap up in a sheet. If it is blue green algae you can treat your tank with erythromycin to get rid of it. If it is green spot algae which usually starts out as bright green spots on the glass there is no fish that will eat it or a way get rid of it as far as I know except using a razor blade to scrape it off. If anyone knows a secret way to get rid of green spot algae I'd love to hear it.

ah, that must be what it is on the front of my glass! it never seems to come off, even if i scrape it with my nail. very annoying stuff.

EMdina, if your algae turns out to be normal green algae, you could always get a few snails or an algae magnet, but they won't get rid of the evil green spots!!

 

[EMdina]

If it is blue green algae a slimy greenish brown coating over everything that can easily be disturbed by moving the water around it - it will sometimes even flap up in a sheet. If it is blue green algae you can treat your tank with erythromycin to get rid of it.

That is exactly what it is...I am at my wits end with this stuff. It's been only 3 days and it is almost back to the state it was before I cleaned it...ughh...it's awful...

 

[Opcn]

Why not start by covering the surface of your water with duck weed you can get it herebug farm, Theyou could also get a UV sterlizer from a marine supply stor or online supplyer and kill any alge you pump through it.

Opcn

 

[devinf]

I didn't see how often you keep the light on in your tank...

Besides adding the suggested snails or type of algae eater (both good additions!), you might want to make sure that your lights are on no longer than 10-12 hours a day. By cutting back on the amount of available light you'll do quite a bit in helping to control growth.

Devin

 

[Moe]

I've read that the antibiotic erythromycin (commonly used to treat fungus and fin rot) will kill BG algae. The brand Maradel is widely available and claims not to harm the biological filtration. If you do decided to try it let us know how it goes. I think a 10 day treatment the dose.