Type of Algae

jimmah · 11-25-2010, 03:36 PM

What type of algae is this and how do I get rid of it? I have a 55g with AH Supply 2x55(1inch above the top), pressurized CO2 and drop checker is on the border of yellow, I dose EI with 50% water changes. Lights run a total of 9hrs a day. Had been using a 12 hr period up until 2 1/2 weeks ago. I have an XP2 and Fluval 305 on the tank. My Nitrates are about 20ppm. I have vals so double dosing excell will just melt the tank.

captain_bu · 11-25-2010, 04:44 PM

Picture 2 looks like cladophora... to confirm see if you can pull it out in big clumps, it should also feel coarse and dry. Picture 3 and most likely 1 look like BBA.

Guessing that the algae stems from the excessive 12 hour photoperiod. For now I would drop it back to 6 hours until you can get the tank cleaned up then start to slowly work your way back up to 8 hours while watching to make sure the algae doesn't return. Raising the fixture a bit would also help.

Are you using 4 dKH water in your drop checker?

I would try manually removing as much algae as you can, cut off the infected leaves if necessary. Keep tank and filter clean, stay on top of dosing, CO2 and water changes. There is no reason you can't do bi-weekly water changes to help keep organics low and remove algae spores.

Excel is really helpful for BBA. Don't know what kind of vals you are growing but I have one tank that I use Excel on that has jungle vals in it and they seem fine. Sometimes if you start with low doses of Excel and increase over time the vals get used to it and don't melt. I have kept a number of val species in Excel tanks without problems.

Not a big blackout fan myself but with the amount of algae you have growing it may be worthwhile to try a blackout. That may either kill it off or knock it back to a level that makes it easier to eradicate.

**mistergreen** · 11-25-2010, 06:51 PM

+1 on clado
and maybe staghorn at in the last picture... You can't kill it with anything.... Take out a pair of scissors and chop away. Throw away any affected leaves.

skewlboy · 11-30-2010, 08:23 PM

if clado the only luck I've had was removal and control with very hungry Amano shrimp.

11-25-2010, 03:36 PM	#1
jimmah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NY Posts: 96	Type of Algae What type of algae is this and how do I get rid of it? I have a 55g with AH Supply 2x55(1inch above the top), pressurized CO2 and drop checker is on the border of yellow, I dose EI with 50% water changes. Lights run a total of 9hrs a day. Had been using a 12 hr period up until 2 1/2 weeks ago. I have an XP2 and Fluval 305 on the tank. My Nitrates are about 20ppm. I have vals so double dosing excell will just melt the tank. Attached Thumbnails

11-25-2010, 06:51 PM	#3
mistergreen Bow ties are cool (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 12,901	+1 on clado and maybe staghorn at in the last picture... You can't kill it with anything.... Take out a pair of scissors and chop away. Throw away any affected leaves. __________________ DIY High Tech Tank forum http://aquatictechtank.net A forum dedicated to design and program aquatic tanks

11-30-2010, 08:23 PM	#4
skewlboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (78/100%) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 554	if clado the only luck I've had was removal and control with very hungry Amano shrimp. __________________ 20 gallon Dutch style; 40 gallon CRS tank; 30 c

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-25-2010, 04:44 PM	#2
captain_bu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,231	Picture 2 looks like cladophora... to confirm see if you can pull it out in big clumps, it should also feel coarse and dry. Picture 3 and most likely 1 look like BBA. Guessing that the algae stems from the excessive 12 hour photoperiod. For now I would drop it back to 6 hours until you can get the tank cleaned up then start to slowly work your way back up to 8 hours while watching to make sure the algae doesn't return. Raising the fixture a bit would also help. Are you using 4 dKH water in your drop checker? I would try manually removing as much algae as you can, cut off the infected leaves if necessary. Keep tank and filter clean, stay on top of dosing, CO2 and water changes. There is no reason you can't do bi-weekly water changes to help keep organics low and remove algae spores. Excel is really helpful for BBA. Don't know what kind of vals you are growing but I have one tank that I use Excel on that has jungle vals in it and they seem fine. Sometimes if you start with low doses of Excel and increase over time the vals get used to it and don't melt. I have kept a number of val species in Excel tanks without problems. Not a big blackout fan myself but with the amount of algae you have growing it may be worthwhile to try a blackout. That may either kill it off or knock it back to a level that makes it easier to eradicate.