Usually I run my lights 8 hours, but for a time I cut back to about 4 hours per day. I've never tested for phosphates in my tank but I keep my nitrates low, so I don't believe that's the problem. I'll have to look into a test kit for phosphates.
Why won't this GO AWAY!
- Thread starter AcsFoolMike
- Start date
Jc1119;5150269; said:
Alright, I'll give the single 18k, 6 hours a day routine a go. Hopefully it clears this whole thing up...really frustrating to see such beautiful tanks on here without a speck of algae and come home and look at my infestation. Thanks for the help.
You've got blue green algae (cynobacteria) which is actually a collection of bacteria that can photosynthesized. I had a problem as well and tried all the typical stuff that you have tried. I then cleaned the tank as best I could by hand and did a full regiment of erythromycin (sorry if that is spelled wrong). It is available in the US under the API brand among others. Did not affect my filters, but I will leave it to you to read up on this. I have been algae free for 2 months now.
Good luck.
Good luck.
TahoeFish;5150291; said:
Are you referring to their "Algaefix" product? If so, I purchased a bottle a long time ago but was afraid to use it. Would it harm or be detrimental to my fish in any way?
I'm referring to just plain old erythromycin, an anti-biotic that is available in fish stores in the US. API is only one brand. I'm sure there are others. I don't know what is in algaefix. Google blue green algae aquarium erythromycin for info on treatment.
Did not harm my fish or my filter, but there is a risk to the filter but this antibiotic attacks gram positive bacteria and most of the good bacteria is gram negative or so I read here...
http://www.myfishtank.net/articles/blue-green-algae-article/
I did take my snails out however. Use it as directed and you should be fine. I hesitate totally backing it because I am new to the hobby. But I hated that algae and now it is gone.
Did not harm my fish or my filter, but there is a risk to the filter but this antibiotic attacks gram positive bacteria and most of the good bacteria is gram negative or so I read here...
http://www.myfishtank.net/articles/blue-green-algae-article/
I did take my snails out however. Use it as directed and you should be fine. I hesitate totally backing it because I am new to the hobby. But I hated that algae and now it is gone.
That is NOT cyanobacteria. I have had it in the past a handful of times. They look similar, but this is GREEN green algae. It's also filamentous, and not as invasive and contagious as cyanobacteria which will easily get into any tank it comes in any contact with. The algae the OP has doesn't look overly slimey like cyanobacteria. This looks more like mat algae. Generally mat algae is yellowish green/brown/green and Cyanobacteria in FW is neon/blue green.
Tahoefish, that was a great point though although I believe it's a form of mat algae. Did you learn about BGA on Anubias Design's group?
To the OP, if you want, you could try an algaecide to kill all of your algae temporarily and start over again, however simply removing this algae as much as possible and rinsing well should work out good until the kind of algae your plecos will eat reappears and thrives.
Tahoefish, that was a great point though although I believe it's a form of mat algae. Did you learn about BGA on Anubias Design's group?
To the OP, if you want, you could try an algaecide to kill all of your algae temporarily and start over again, however simply removing this algae as much as possible and rinsing well should work out good until the kind of algae your plecos will eat reappears and thrives.
