Algae starting

[Liquidplants]

i've never seen this type of algae grow in my tanks before. And i have a few Newb questions.

Whats it called?
Is it harmfull? To discus?
Will Otocinclus Affinis take care of this mess?
will it kill the plant if it spreads?

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[jcardona1]

looks like BGA / blue-green algae / cyanobacteria. no living thing will eat it, as its not really algae, its a bacteria.

is this a new tank? it's usually due to low nitrates and will go away once the tank becomes established. for now, just remove what you can

 

[Liquidplants]

The tank is a year old but went threw a major renovation 2 weeks ago [same substrate new everything else] and i have been water changing 1 - 2 times a week [my first discus tank].

 

[jcardona1]

yeah i wouldnt worry too much about it. this was the easiest algae to deal with in my experience. just pull it out manually and a few days later it never returned.

 

[FishingOut]

What are your water parameters? Low nitrates usually cause bacteria, High nitrates will cause algae blooms.

 

[jcardona1]

here's a good guide

http://theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

 

[Liquidplants]

In that tank [29G] the only difference to my other tanks is the temp 87f vs. my normal 80f.
PH 7-7.5
For actual levels and the rest i'll retest when i get home.

 

[Liquidplants]

Thanks for that link Jcardona i was Googling for a site like that but gave up. It will get a bookmark =]

 

[jcardona1]

FYI, it's in the Algae sticky at the top of the planted tank subforum

 

[Sab_Fan]

cyanobacteria is nasty looking, but it will slide right off the leaves . . . just wipe 'em down occasionaly, and eventually this will work itself out . . . increased water circulation can help . . .