Algae :'( I Hate It!

[bagu]

heya!

I have an algae problem =/

I have 3 types by the looks of it

tank is 20 gallons

has 2 German blue rams and 5 Rummy Nose tetras

the first type i can wipe of easily with my fingers or a cloth, but comes back fast; its brown looking and very "smudgy" like.

the second type is ONLY on the riccia, its hair algae i believe, i pull it off, but it comes straight back.

the third type is a PAIN IN THE ***, its green, bumpy and its on the glass, i cant get rid off it, its ROCK hard, i can only get it off with my nail, and the front pain looks awful with it =/

i have homemade CO2, not on atm as the check valve broke
and no ferts

tank has been up for 6 months ish now

0 amm
0 nitrites
nitrates vary between 5-10

Thanks

Bagu

also, water changes are every fortnight, at around 40% de chlor.

 

[Jazzzz]

cut down on the light

Cover tank for a few days and it will reduce loads

 

[aaronnorth]

the first type i can wipe of easily with my fingers or a cloth, but comes back fast; its brown looking and very "smudgy" like.

diatoms. Caused by undetectable ammonia spikes. any waste or rotting plant matter? dirty filter?

the second type is ONLY on the riccia, its hair algae i believe, i pull it off, but it comes straight back.

it could be hair algae, or worse it could be spyrogyra. It depends on the size. Hair algae stays relatively short, and is caused by poor CO2 & poor water circulation whereas spyrogyra is again caused by undetctable ammonia pikes. Spyrogyra is har to get rid off as it can thrive in the same conditions as plants so it isnt as easy to fix the problem.

the third type is a PAIN IN THE ***, its green, bumpy and its on the glass, i cant get rid off it, its ROCK hard, i can only get it off with my nail, and the front pain looks awful with it =/

green spot algae. Raise the PO4 levels but a liquid fert or KH2PO4.

 

[bagu]

its isnt hair algae, this one is really long =/ this is bad =(

the tank has an inbuilt back filtration system, on top of that i added a UGF. There is plenty of circulation in the tank aswell.

I don't understand how i could be getting ammonia spikes =/ fishes all seem absolutely fine.

I gave the filter sponges a clean in tank water a few days ago =/ and i do a thorough gravel vac aswell, could this cause ammonia spikes?

Thanks

Bagu

COULD I spot dose with easycarbo on the riccia? to kill of the spyrogyra with CO2 od?

if i was to turn the lights out for 2-3 days; what harm would it do to the fish?

 

[aaronnorth]

undtetctable ammonia spikes

its isnt hair algae, this one is really long =/ this is bad =(

probably spyrogyra then. constant removal (probably everyday) along with keeping the CO2 high and spot dosing with liquid carbon is about the only way to get rid.

I gave the filter sponges a clean in tank water a few days ago =/ and i do a thorough gravel vac aswell, could this cause ammonia spikes?

disturbing the substrate can rlease ammonia, yes.

COULD I spot dose with easycarbo on the riccia? to kill of the spyrogyra with CO2 od?

riccia doesnt respond well to OD of liquid carbon as it is a bladderwort.

if i was to turn the lights out for 2-3 days; what harm would it do to the fish?

no, if you do this turn off the CO2 & remove as much as possible before the blackout, along with a 50% water change to remove the flaoting algae spores. More frequent water changes will help.