Algae ID please

chew · 08-27-2012, 04:04 AM

I just noticed this big green spot on my substrate any ideas what it is? And any help how to get rid of it?

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**AzFishKid** · 08-27-2012, 05:49 AM

Cyano bacteria. Manual removal is really the best way to remove this IME. Just use a small tube to syphon it out. You can also use chemicals to kill it, but it isn't that hard to remove it manually. It is usually caused by too much light/too much direct sunlight (appears frequently in tanks that are next to or in front of windows, or get direct sunlight during the day).

Kathyy · 08-27-2012, 02:12 PM

^+1

Also harass it by putting more water movement in the affected area. Sometimes that keeps it from coming back in a given spot.

If the tank has too much organic matter that can encourage its growth, check for pockets of gunk trapped on the substrate and siphon most of it out.

If nitrate is low sometimes that lets it get started.

cradleoffilthfan · 08-28-2012, 11:28 AM

Nobody really elaborated on the reasons cyano pops up? What are your nitrate levels in the tank? What kind of circulation is in the tank? What are your water parameters? How are your other plants doing? Cyano is a bacteria not an algae. After you find what caused it, either neglected tank maintenance and high nitrates or 0 nitrates because of plant growth taking up all available fertilizers, or not enough circulation along with the previous reasons.....anyway, it's a bacteria. There are people that get rid of it with "Blackouts" or by treating the water with Maracyn (Eurythromycin). If you do a blackout, it means totally black, for up to a week. Treatments with Maracyn usually take about 4 days which is 2 treatments. It might only take 1 treatment (2 days) but for me both times it took 2 doses, and it was because of 0 nitrates in the tank both times and that was my fault for neglecting the fertilizing. Good luck.

08-27-2012, 04:04 AM	#1
chew Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: sacramento Posts: 265	Algae ID please I just noticed this big green spot on my substrate any ideas what it is? And any help how to get rid of it? __________________ 20L Journal

08-27-2012, 05:49 AM	#2
AzFishKid Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (105/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 6,251	Cyano bacteria. Manual removal is really the best way to remove this IME. Just use a small tube to syphon it out. You can also use chemicals to kill it, but it isn't that hard to remove it manually. It is usually caused by too much light/too much direct sunlight (appears frequently in tanks that are next to or in front of windows, or get direct sunlight during the day). __________________ ••• P H I L I P ••• "Because fake plants would be weird and sad." -Bsmith "This isn't a hobby, this is a way of life." -Da Plant Man Bucephalandra "and friends" Collection

08-27-2012, 02:12 PM	#3
Kathyy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 2,938	^+1 Also harass it by putting more water movement in the affected area. Sometimes that keeps it from coming back in a given spot. If the tank has too much organic matter that can encourage its growth, check for pockets of gunk trapped on the substrate and siphon most of it out. If nitrate is low sometimes that lets it get started. __________________ http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=195914 "180 gallons of Ferny Wood"

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08-28-2012, 11:28 AM	#4
cradleoffilthfan Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 323	Nobody really elaborated on the reasons cyano pops up? What are your nitrate levels in the tank? What kind of circulation is in the tank? What are your water parameters? How are your other plants doing? Cyano is a bacteria not an algae. After you find what caused it, either neglected tank maintenance and high nitrates or 0 nitrates because of plant growth taking up all available fertilizers, or not enough circulation along with the previous reasons.....anyway, it's a bacteria. There are people that get rid of it with "Blackouts" or by treating the water with Maracyn (Eurythromycin). If you do a blackout, it means totally black, for up to a week. Treatments with Maracyn usually take about 4 days which is 2 treatments. It might only take 1 treatment (2 days) but for me both times it took 2 doses, and it was because of 0 nitrates in the tank both times and that was my fault for neglecting the fertilizing. Good luck.