Green dot algaes! How do we get rid of them?

AlanLe · 02-08-2013, 07:29 AM

I saw a lot of green dot algae on the glass and on the leaves of the plants. I currently have co2, 10k 220 watts (2 white and 2 actinics, will switch to all white bulbs soon), 11 hours of photoperiod. What can I do to get rid of these nasties? My shrimps and 2 Pleco don't seem to help.

LopezTheHero · 02-08-2013, 09:49 AM

I had the greenspot problem for a while. Manually scrub it off (might be harder than you initially think, but it will come off with elbow grease). Drop your photoperiod to 7-8 hours a day. Those things thrive on excess light. Cut it back and you should see a reduction in the prevalence of the green spots

aznartist34 · 02-08-2013, 09:55 AM

Lower your photo period and gsa can be triggered by low phosphate levels. Take a look at the algae portion of this forum, there's a lot of info there.

**msawdey** · 02-08-2013, 04:29 PM

Its definitely a photo-period problem... make sure your co2 levels are good

AlanLe · 02-08-2013, 05:51 PM

I'll shorten the photoperiod to 8 hours and dose extra phosphate. I will also change the actinic bulbs to white. Does the pinkish hue bulb really help in growing?

**chunkychun** · 02-08-2013, 05:54 PM

Also I use mr. clean magic eraser and it is much easier to clean off glass.

puopg · 02-08-2013, 07:10 PM

use a razor blade, top to bottom, comes off in 1 swipe.

**msawdey** · 02-08-2013, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkychun

Also I use mr. clean magic eraser and it is much easier to clean off glass.

you use that on the inside?!?!?! doesnt that have chemicals on it?

I second the razor blade

Kathyy · 02-08-2013, 09:25 PM

I would reduce the photo period to more like 6-8 hours and evaluate the nutrient situation in the tank. Adding more phosphate to my fertilizing regime has nearly eliminated all GSA in my tank. The little that develops is much softer. I used to pop it off with a razor and now an easy going over takes it off. I use a Mr. Clean eraser too, the original one is fine for aquarium use.

AlanLe · 02-08-2013, 09:52 PM

...

**chunkychun** · 02-11-2013, 03:29 PM

Yeah Magic erasers are awesome. just make sure you get original without other additives. See below with more info:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...949&highlight=

02-08-2013, 07:29 AM	#1
AlanLe Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 300	Green dot algaes! How do we get rid of them? I saw a lot of green dot algae on the glass and on the leaves of the plants. I currently have co2, 10k 220 watts (2 white and 2 actinics, will switch to all white bulbs soon), 11 hours of photoperiod. What can I do to get rid of these nasties? My shrimps and 2 Pleco don't seem to help.

02-08-2013, 04:29 PM	#4
msawdey Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 972	Its definitely a photo-period problem... make sure your co2 levels are good __________________ msawdey -Just another day in paradise-

02-08-2013, 05:54 PM	#6
chunkychun Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: fl Posts: 226	Also I use mr. clean magic eraser and it is much easier to clean off glass. __________________ 3 gal low tech 25 gal dwarf puffer tank

02-08-2013, 09:25 PM	#9
Kathyy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 2,952	I would reduce the photo period to more like 6-8 hours and evaluate the nutrient situation in the tank. Adding more phosphate to my fertilizing regime has nearly eliminated all GSA in my tank. The little that develops is much softer. I used to pop it off with a razor and now an easy going over takes it off. I use a Mr. Clean eraser too, the original one is fine for aquarium use. __________________ http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=195914 "180 gallons of Ferny Wood"

02-08-2013, 09:52 PM	#10
AlanLe Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 300	... Last edited by AlanLe; 02-09-2013 at 07:21 PM..

02-08-2013, 09:49 AM	#2
LopezTheHero Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 22	I had the greenspot problem for a while. Manually scrub it off (might be harder than you initially think, but it will come off with elbow grease). Drop your photoperiod to 7-8 hours a day. Those things thrive on excess light. Cut it back and you should see a reduction in the prevalence of the green spots

02-08-2013, 09:55 AM	#3
aznartist34 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 356	Lower your photo period and gsa can be triggered by low phosphate levels. Take a look at the algae portion of this forum, there's a lot of info there.

02-08-2013, 05:51 PM	#5
AlanLe Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 300	I'll shorten the photoperiod to 8 hours and dose extra phosphate. I will also change the actinic bulbs to white. Does the pinkish hue bulb really help in growing?

02-08-2013, 07:10 PM	#7
puopg Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 518	use a razor blade, top to bottom, comes off in 1 swipe.

02-11-2013, 03:29 PM	#11
chunkychun Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: fl Posts: 226	Yeah Magic erasers are awesome. just make sure you get original without other additives. See below with more info: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...949&highlight= __________________ 3 gal low tech 25 gal dwarf puffer tank

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