Why won't this GO AWAY!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I know that you say the blinds are closed but maybe it is still getting to much light and too much sun rays.
 
Hello; Had the same sort of problem a few years ago. The mat could be peeled away in sheets from the gravel and was on most of the plants. I used an antibiotic that allowed me to get rid of it. I had a nice amount of rooted plants that I did not want to kill. This was the first time having the problem for me in several decades.

It was also the first tank in many years that did not have any snails. After the algae mat was gone I found some ramshorn and trumpet snails to put in the tank. have not had the problem since and did not have to give up my rooted plants or change the photoperiod of my lights.
 
My fishroom has a large 6' x 8' window and the tanks get natural daylight all day long (though not direct sunlight). I also run four 6700k T-5 bulbs plus two 6700k T-8's on the bigger tank. On the other tank I use three 6700k T-8's PowerGlo's, with no algae whatsoever. I wonder why you have so much.
 
balton777;5151380; said:
My fishroom has a large 6' x 8' window and the tanks get natural daylight all day long (though not direct sunlight). I also run four 6700k T-5 bulbs plus two 6700k T-8's on the bigger tank. On the other tank I use three 6700k T-8's PowerGlo's, with no algae whatsoever. I wonder why you have so much.
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I wonder this as well, balton. Your tanks are some of the ones being referenced when I mention "all of these beautiful show tanks" on MFK.
 
Probably because cyanobacteria isn't actually a form of algae. :)

Something as simplistic as high phosphate levels in your tap water can lead to an outbreak of cyanobacteria, and unfortunately once cyanobacteria gains a foothold in your tank it can be a real PITA to get rid of.
 
i had an issue with it about 6 months ago and would have to scrape the tank and decor twice a week and tried everything i could think of and then a buddy of mine suggested lowering the amount of light i use which wound up being my problem. when i bought the tank it had four t-12 48" bulbs in the canopy. 4100k 40w each. which is way too much light. now i use one actinic blue 48" t-8 and one 6500k 48" t-8 bulb. on for four hours a day. if you havent tried lowering the amount of light you use do that first to prevent spending money needlessly like i did. oh well lesson learned. try the simplest things first. also ive noticed that a lower light will let the colors reflect better instead of the overpowering white light waves. and an actinic bulb helps a lot.
 
oh yea i dont recommend an actinic bulb since youre currently going through and algae problem. ive heard it might make it worse (not certain). maybe when it clears up. its possible but most likely its not phosphates. test for it before buying the remover, expensive lol.
 
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