Dark green algae growing on my plants

aquaverde · 12-06-2003, 07:35 PM

Please provide as much info as possible:

tank size, how long has the tank been up, filtration, type and amount of lighting, substrate, pH, KH, GH, CO2 level, plant types and how well-planted is the tank (a photo would be great), fish load

The accuracy of any advice you get will depend on you providing this information. So please let us know everything you can and then we'll be better able to help!

For instance, here's my 20xh info:
20gal, set up for 6 months, XP1 canister filter, 2-15W Aqua Rays 9325K ODNO 2x, Onyx/Flourite/gravel mix substrate, 7.6 pH, 6 deg. KH, 8 deg. GH, no CO2 injection, heavily planted with Crypts and Anubias, 14 small tetras, 2 Ancistrus, 1 small Chaetostoma thomasii, 3 oto cats, MTS, a few Nerite snails

Just provide what you can and don't worry about it if you can't tell us all this.

skseah · 12-07-2003, 05:14 AM

I thought I replied just now but it seems that it was not 'recorded' in the forum. Info:
2 ft tank, re-setup 2 months, Ehiem Ecco canister, 2 x 20W NECFL20SS, 7 PH, 6.8 Kh, but GH below 2.3 as according to my Dennerle test strip, maybe it is not correct. CO2, Chiller at 25 deg, 8 guppies, 8 otos, previously less otos and guppies, but were added hoping to stop this aglae from growing. Also have 2 tetras. Attached is pic I took just now.

skseah · 12-07-2003, 05:16 AM

Here is the pic, I do not know why it was attached earlier.

skseah · 12-07-2003, 05:19 AM

Here is the pic, I do not know why it was attached earlier.

skseah · 12-07-2003, 05:20 AM

I tried to attached the photo but seem to be unable. Pls. assist.
Thanks

Wasserpest · 12-07-2003, 07:27 AM

The image needs to be less than 75kB and 800x600 pixels or smaller.

I would not tear down a tank because of an algae infestation. Algae exist in many places, and even if you sterilize and redo everything there is no guarantee that they will not be right back.

Someone mentioned an increased light level, but there are many possible solutions. Basically any change in your tank might change the favorable conditions in which these specific algae grow. First off test NO3 and PO4 levels, they should be around 5-10ppm and 0.5-1ppm respectively. What are they now? Most likely there is some imbalance in your tank, this is what makes algae take over.

skseah · 12-07-2003, 08:03 AM

Hi,
Let me see how I can test the NO3 and PO4. Let me try to attach the pic. I reduce it to 73K.

skseah · 12-07-2003, 09:04 AM

Hi Wasserpest,
I was looking around but can't seem to find info on how to check NO3 and PO4. Any kit to recommend. I tested for Ammonia, and it was OK.
I started to reduce the light, ie shorter time on and off.. Also change 20% of water.

Nordic · 12-07-2003, 10:03 AM

http://www.tetra.de/default.cfm?uuid...&lang_id=2

skseah · 12-07-2003, 12:56 PM

Hi Nordic,
Thanks for the link. Someone advise me to use 'Algae Remover' and tells me that when the water turns milky, add bacteria to replace those 'destroyed' by the 'algae remover'. Also recommended to use 'geo liquid' to remove this 'algae remover' after a few days. Anyone can give their views?

12-06-2003, 07:35 PM	#16
aquaverde Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mid-Hudson Valley, New York Posts: 1,409	Please provide as much info as possible: tank size, how long has the tank been up, filtration, type and amount of lighting, substrate, pH, KH, GH, CO2 level, plant types and how well-planted is the tank (a photo would be great), fish load The accuracy of any advice you get will depend on you providing this information. So please let us know everything you can and then we'll be better able to help! For instance, here's my 20xh info: 20gal, set up for 6 months, XP1 canister filter, 2-15W Aqua Rays 9325K ODNO 2x, Onyx/Flourite/gravel mix substrate, 7.6 pH, 6 deg. KH, 8 deg. GH, no CO2 injection, heavily planted with Crypts and Anubias, 14 small tetras, 2 Ancistrus, 1 small Chaetostoma thomasii, 3 oto cats, MTS, a few Nerite snails Just provide what you can and don't worry about it if you can't tell us all this. __________________ James

12-07-2003, 07:27 AM	#21
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,644	The image needs to be less than 75kB and 800x600 pixels or smaller. I would not tear down a tank because of an algae infestation. Algae exist in many places, and even if you sterilize and redo everything there is no guarantee that they will not be right back. Someone mentioned an increased light level, but there are many possible solutions. Basically any change in your tank might change the favorable conditions in which these specific algae grow. First off test NO3 and PO4 levels, they should be around 5-10ppm and 0.5-1ppm respectively. What are they now? Most likely there is some imbalance in your tank, this is what makes algae take over. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

12-07-2003, 10:03 AM	#24
Nordic Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cape Town Posts: 696	http://www.tetra.de/default.cfm?uuid...&lang_id=2 __________________ Cape Town, South Africa 25 Gal. 54watt, DIY CO2 5 Angelfish, 1 male dwarf gourami + 2 females ,2 female betas, 3 albino corys, 2 pepper corys, 2 CAEs 15 gal. Dwarf gourami fry tank 10 Gal 3 variatus platies, 4 black sailfin mollies- 5 Gal guppy birth tank with dividers 5 Gal guppy frytank 1 Gal guppy frytank 40 Gal Pond with 10 female guppies, 1 male tons of fry. On various pieces of furniture, 6 cats!

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12-07-2003, 05:14 AM	#17
skseah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 12	I thought I replied just now but it seems that it was not 'recorded' in the forum. Info: 2 ft tank, re-setup 2 months, Ehiem Ecco canister, 2 x 20W NECFL20SS, 7 PH, 6.8 Kh, but GH below 2.3 as according to my Dennerle test strip, maybe it is not correct. CO2, Chiller at 25 deg, 8 guppies, 8 otos, previously less otos and guppies, but were added hoping to stop this aglae from growing. Also have 2 tetras. Attached is pic I took just now.

12-07-2003, 05:16 AM	#18
skseah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 12	Here is the pic, I do not know why it was attached earlier.

12-07-2003, 05:19 AM	#19
skseah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 12	Here is the pic, I do not know why it was attached earlier.

12-07-2003, 05:20 AM	#20
skseah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 12	I tried to attached the photo but seem to be unable. Pls. assist. Thanks

12-07-2003, 08:03 AM	#22
skseah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 12	Hi, Let me see how I can test the NO3 and PO4. Let me try to attach the pic. I reduce it to 73K.

12-07-2003, 09:04 AM	#23
skseah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 12	Hi Wasserpest, I was looking around but can't seem to find info on how to check NO3 and PO4. Any kit to recommend. I tested for Ammonia, and it was OK. I started to reduce the light, ie shorter time on and off.. Also change 20% of water.

12-07-2003, 12:56 PM	#25
skseah Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 12	Hi Nordic, Thanks for the link. Someone advise me to use 'Algae Remover' and tells me that when the water turns milky, add bacteria to replace those 'destroyed' by the 'algae remover'. Also recommended to use 'geo liquid' to remove this 'algae remover' after a few days. Anyone can give their views?