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Green algae attacking my tank-Help

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  • 09-10-2011 8:31pm
    #1
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭


    Our tank has begun to get attacked by green algae.

    The water temp is a constant 29 degrees C,the PH level is 6.6,as its controlled by a digital CO2 injection system.We use mains water and use tap safe treatment all the time when do 15% tank refills.
    We never had any problems before,up until now.

    We recently did a water test for the likes of PH level,nitrites,and nitrates and potassium and all tests came up fine and clear.

    Im stumped and so too is my girlfriend,as to whats causing it??:confused:

    This green algea has only come on bad in the last few weeks.

    Any ideas what it is and how to combat it??

    Its covering the bottom of the tank and now the bog oak and plants,and its not nice to look at now.:(


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    #2
    Silverfish
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,696 Mod ✭✭✭✭Silverfish


    What are your nitrates at, and how long do you leave the lights on in the tank?


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    #3
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Silverfish wrote: »
    What are your nitrates at, and how long do you leave the lights on in the tank?


    The lights are on for 10 hours a day (11am til 9pm)

    The CO2 kit is on for that amount of time too,but its on automatic mode,so its kicks in and out when it deems applicable.Its been like that since day 1,and never a problem before,in the 9 months we hve had the tank set up and running.

    I will check with her,what the nitrite/nitrate levels were,as I cannot remember,but she said that all the tests worked out fine.

    She also took a water sample to a fish shop and tehy did a test too,and all seemed fine.

    Im stumped by this horrible green slimey algae.:(


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    #4
    Silverfish
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,696 Mod ✭✭✭✭Silverfish


    Try and reduce the lighting to 6 hrs a day or less.

    High nitrates generally lead to algae, you'd want to be keeping the nitrates below 10 - 15ppm if possible.

    A few mossballs will help, also maybe Seachem purigen or Nitrazorb or whatever will reduce nitrates and basically starve and reduce the algae.


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    #5
    joe90
    Registered Users Posts: 593 ✭✭✭joe90


    It looks like Cyanobacteria to me,I had it about 2 weeks ago.Its not really a Algea its a type of bacteria.

    There are some good tips on youtube and the net on how to get rid of it.

    In the end I use the hydrogen peroxide method and it cleared it up.

    check the net and search Cyanobacteria.

    Hope this helps.


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    #6
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Thanks folks. Some sound advice there.


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    #7
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    joe90 wrote: »
    It looks like Cyanobacteria to me,I had it about 2 weeks ago.Its not really a Algea its a type of bacteria.

    There are some good tips on youtube and the net on how to get rid of it.

    In the end I use the hydrogen peroxide method and it cleared it up.

    check the net and search Cyanobacteria.

    Hope this helps.


    I scrubbed away some of it off the glass with the magnetic tank cleaning block.

    Its like a blob or jelly like substance allright.Its horrible,thats for sure.:(


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