Algae Help

[KittyKat]

The "brown stuff" is probably not causing any problems in itself, but the photo does look like really bad fungus, bad enough that it needs to be treated. Fungus and fin-rot (both can occur at the same time) are usually caused by bad water quality, so I would consider increasing water changes and decreasing feeding because of that.

 

[karawr]

Treated with medicine? Is 2 water changes a week enough? Until the brown stuff is gone? Or more like daily/every 2 days?

 

[KittyKat]

Until the water quality improves, and there's no test kit for that. You'll notice because the general health of fish will improve.. it is difficult for me to guess. If it was my tank, I would increase water changes gradually to 50% every other day, then do a really big one, and then decrease down to whatever normal is. I'd also give everything a mega vacuum at every water change.

 

[karawr]

Okay.

Another question, I dose with Seachem Flourish once a week. Should I just avoid dosing for now since I will be doing water changes every other day (and therefor it would just get sucked out, which would be a waste?)

I also want to make sure I am dosing the right amount.

For a 20g tank...
Seachem Flourish: 1.7ml/week (bottle says 5mL for 60 gallons)
Seachem Flourish Excel: 2ml/day (bottle says 5mL for 50 gallons)

Also my seachem flourish has turned a brown colour. Is that normal?

 

[karawr]

bump

 

[Tizer]

Supposed to be clear isnt it? Maybe this is a good indication of whats causing it?

 

[karawr]

Well, I don't know if it's supposed to be clear because this is the first time I've used it. I only used it once and it's caused all these problems?

Also when I used it, it was clear, it was a brand new, never opened bottle.

Why would it turn brown? I've got it kept in a cool, dark place. Not a fridge, which it recommends but also says isn't necessary. I've only had it open a week - 2 weeks.

 

[Gav935]

Your Flourish is fine, it's supposed to be brown.

 

[karawr]

Okay, I got really worried there that I had a bad bottle or something, lol. Thanks.

On another note, my tank is clearing up. I did a huge 70% on the weekend and a 50% a couple days later. I'll do another on Saturday as part of my weekly cleaning. Things are looking good.

 

[SuperColey1]

your cory is suffereing from the 'dirty water'. A Formaldehyde mix would sort it out. Will kill all the rotting parts which fungus/parasites thrive on and then it will get better however yours is a pretty bad case!!!

Andy

 

[karawr]

My cories are having their first spawn and the tank is looking a LOT better. I just spent the past hour watching them t-position and lay eggs. Really an incredible thing.

But I'm going to continue to watch the water conditions very carefully...