What Causes This Algae On My Gravel

[chris35rt]

I got all this green algae starting to cover my gravel and water changes doesn't seem to help it, the tanks only been going for about 2 months now any idea what might be causing it? I'm thinking it has something to do with the cycling of the tank maybe? The only thing other than a water conditioner and PH stabilizer that I use is once a month I will add a dose of nutrafin plant fertilizer for the live plants. Also I have my light on a timer and they run for 8 hours a day.

Thanks,

Chris


Hers is a picture you can see the one piece of gravel at the front with the green algae on it.
http/lh4.ggpht.com/_EKmwIyWjnvs/S27nbVrMO6I/AAAAAAAAEHw/02X1nXSSOZo/s800/CIMG6217.JPG

 

[fish_tank0311]

Dont worry about it. A little bit of green algae is natural, and you can barely see it anyway. If you must get rid of it im sure there are some products that will get rid of it.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Chris. If that is a dark green, and maybe even a bit blue, algae it is called blue-green algae and can be a real pain to control. It is not a true algae but a cyano-bacteria that reproduces much quicker than you can remove it. That stuff can be controlled but is more difficult than a true algae. If this describes what you have, please go into the planted tank part of the forum and tell them you have a BGA problem. I am sure they are more adept at dealing with BGA than those of us here would be.

 

[raptorrex]

I got all this green algae starting to cover my gravel and water changes doesn't seem to help it, the tanks only been going for about 2 months now any idea what might be causing it? I'm thinking it has something to do with the cycling of the tank maybe? The only thing other than a water conditioner and PH stabilizer that I use is once a month I will add a dose of nutrafin plant fertilizer for the live plants. Also I have my light on a timer and they run for 8 hours a day.

Thanks,

Chris


Hers is a picture you can see the one piece of gravel at the front with the green algae on it.
http/lh4.ggpht.com...00/CIMG6217.JPG

often, the main culprit is, light. as oldman suggests, a trip to the planted section, may be in order.

 

[chris35rt]

Thank everyone my culprit was after all the light, I have started leaving the light off more during the day and the problem is starting to correct itself.

 

[monikerCTBP]

Are you using a timer for your light? I went out and bought a 24 hour timer. You can set the hour intervals. I think I have it setup on an 11 hour cycle right now. Just plug it in and let it go.

 

[raptorrex]

Are you using a timer for your light? I went out and bought a 24 hour timer. You can set the hour intervals. I think I have it setup on an 11 hour cycle right now. Just plug it in and let it go.

i could not agree more. i have not had to switch a light, on or off, for 3 years. i know there was some argument, as to which type to use. i buy all mine off car boots, they cost no more than £1. i have found no difference between the types.