algae already?

[clutterydrawer]

I set up a tank a few days ago has no fish in it yet as I'm waiting till I have a day off work to go and get them...it is SMOTHERED in blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) already! how can this even happen? what is it feeding off? aaaaaahhh!

 

[Nospherith]

Usually a sign of low nitrates, cyanobacteria or blue-green algae can be eliminated using Maracyn, sometimes with just one dose.

 

[rdd1952]

How long are you burning your lights and is the tank located where it gets any sunlight? Both will get cyano going like mad and it is nearly impossible to get rid of after that.

 

[clutterydrawer]

no sunlight....im not sure how long the lights are on but no longer than they're on in my other tank and I've not had problems with it there and it's been set up for years. :shrug:

i can't get maracyn here.

 

[rdd1952]

Since you don't have any fish yet (plants???) one thing I have read is to go with about a 3 day black out. Cover the tank with a dark towel or something like that for 3 days. The total lack of light will kill it off. Some people say that it probably will come back at a later time though. I haven't tried that though as I didn't want to do that to my fish or my plants.