How do I get rid of this slimy green algae?

[MaloK]

Thanks to both of you for the replies.

@MaloK - I'm surprised at such big water changes. I thought these were bad for the fish, as the sudden change of temperature and chemistry would shock them. I've always gone for 30% max.

Well if you use temperature matching water on a regular basis and do larger water changes...

The chemistry will remain stable in the long run. Some peoples experience fluctuating hardness with the seasons, that is sometimes not ideal.

Still better for the fish health than cyano turning your tank in a poisonous green blob.

 

[Yossu]

Still better for the fish health than cyano turning your tank in a poisonous green blob.

That's one way of putting it!

 

[MaloK]

That's one way of putting it!

I hate that stuff

 

[Yossu]

Thanks again for all the replies. I cleaned up as much of the stuff as I could, did a 50% water change and wrapped up the tank for 5 days. When I opened it up again, it looked very clean and bright. Holding my breath, I waited to see what happened over the next couple of days.

Sadly, after about 4 days, it's coming back again. Not like it was before, when it spread very quickly, but I can see that it's still in the tank, and will spread if I don't do something.

I was hoping to avoid medicine, but it looks like I don't have the choice. I had a look at Ultra Life blue green slime algae remove, but it's very expensive, whereas I've seen people saying that Erythromycin is way cheaper.

Where do I get this stuff? Don't know about anywhere else, but here in the UK antibiotics are usually only available on prescription from a doctor. How do I get my hands on some for the tank?

Thanks again.

 

[Colin_T]

Erythromycin is an antibiotic that requires a prescription to buy in the UK. It shouldn't be used to treat blue green algae problems. You need to keep cleaning the tank and physically removing the gunk to get rid of it.

 

[Yossu]

@Colin_T I did wonder, but someone earlier in this thread suggested using it, which is why I asked. I'd prefer not to put extra stuff in the tank.

So if I just keep doing water changes and cleaning, I should be able to conquer it?

Thanks for the reply

 

[Colin_T]

Erythromycin does kill the blue green algae but it's preferable not to add antibiotics to tanks when you can usually treat the problem by cleaning the tank up, increasing aeration and water movement, and reducing dry food.

Antibiotics require a prescription in the UK so there's virtually no chance of you getting Eryrthromycin anyway.

So just keep cleaning and physically removing the stuff (try to do it daily or at least several times per week) and it usually goes away when the nutrients are gone.

If you use an aquarium plant fertiliser, stop using that for a few weeks because that can encourage it.