Yeah I use the api liquid test. Yeah that's how I do it. I thought you were saying don't do it that way. Then I realized what you were saying. I gotcha.
Too Much Algea
- Thread starter Romona
- Start date
A pic would help, there are many different kinds of algae, some good for the rank some not.
Sometimes removing all the rocks and scrubbing stuff off can create a mini cycle which is not a good thing, but that again, depends on the species of algae.
For many African cichlids a lot of the right kind of algae is a good thing, and part of their natural biotope, and they eat it.
If it is cyanobacteria they won't touch it, and is problematic.
The pic below is cyanobacteria (slime algae)
Cyanobacteria isn't necessarily effected by amount or hours of light, it can be enabled by overfeeding. I used a probiotic to help control it (rid-X).
And maybe since your tank is new, if what you have is slime algae. A probiotic would provide the right kind of bacteria to compete with it. There is a long sticky, about probiotic use.
And by the way, it is not a food, like a human thinks of probiotic, but it is a bacterial additive to the tank water.
Sometimes removing all the rocks and scrubbing stuff off can create a mini cycle which is not a good thing, but that again, depends on the species of algae.
For many African cichlids a lot of the right kind of algae is a good thing, and part of their natural biotope, and they eat it.
If it is cyanobacteria they won't touch it, and is problematic.
The pic below is cyanobacteria (slime algae)
Cyanobacteria isn't necessarily effected by amount or hours of light, it can be enabled by overfeeding. I used a probiotic to help control it (rid-X).
And maybe since your tank is new, if what you have is slime algae. A probiotic would provide the right kind of bacteria to compete with it. There is a long sticky, about probiotic use.
And by the way, it is not a food, like a human thinks of probiotic, but it is a bacterial additive to the tank water.
Just an FYI - Prime can give false readings for ammonia.
http://www.seachem.com/support/foru...512-prime-and-false-positive-ammonia-readings
Also agree with Duane, with exception to "lighting" and cyanobacteria - cyano tends to thrive under certain light wavelengths, sometimes just changing the lighting can help reduce and/or eliminate outbreaks.
The tank is in front of a window. Although the blinds were closed the tank was still getting some morning sun. After the algea started I put black poster board on the back.
The algea was kind of a golden/green color. It was slimmy. I didn't replace either of the filters. I did replace the acular filters. They were full of the algea.
The algea was kind of a golden/green color. It was slimmy. I didn't replace either of the filters. I did replace the acular filters. They were full of the algea.
Daphnia work just as well as a uv filter, but both eliminate symptoms, not the water quality problems that very often cause blooms.
I agree ... a UV filter/sterilizer shouldn't be needed to achieve clear water. This cloudy white water is the result of a heterotrophic bacterial bloom and will pass if you have sufficient biofiltration.
Both heterotrophic and autotrophic (nitrifying) bacteria grow in the filter media. There are many different types of heterotrophic bacteria and, unlike nitrifying bacteria, they can live in the water column. That's what you are seeing - heterotrophic bacteria eating organics (organic carbon). When sufficient quantities of heterotrophs have taken hold in the filter your water will be clear.
Both heterotrophic and autotrophic (nitrifying) bacteria grow in the filter media. There are many different types of heterotrophic bacteria and, unlike nitrifying bacteria, they can live in the water column. That's what you are seeing - heterotrophic bacteria eating organics (organic carbon). When sufficient quantities of heterotrophs have taken hold in the filter your water will be clear.
