Algae on plants . . .

[sweeney_jones]

Guys,

I have a 22 uk gallon tank, only a medium sized one. Fish are listed below. I have a few lumps of bog wood with java fern growing on them, and a few other plants rooted in the gravel.

Recently, I have noticed an increasing growth of very long stranded algae, not the type I'm used to seeing, and watching my bristle nose munch on. This stuff is growing on the leaves of my plants and is like green cotton wool, the strands are about 1 cm long now. My platties occaisionally have a go at tearing some off, but they are no way going to get rid of it.

Any ideas ? I know I have very high phosphates in my tank, the guy at my LFS tested my tank water for me. I also have a low pH problem that I am struggling to control. My pH test kit goes to 6, and my water is way below that.

i'm doing regular water changes, about 30% weekly. My other water readings are stable and OK.

So, can I get rid of the stuff ?

Thanks
Bob

22 Gal
10 Neons
3 Adult Platties (Various)
12 or so 2 week old platty fry (Black)
2 (pair) Rachovii Killies
2 Corys
1 Bristlenose
2 Khuli loach
Lots of the little snail fellas, but not big enuff to munch on this algae.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Hmmm, it sounds like hair algae and it's notoriously hard to get rid of and your phosphates will not be helping. Try adding more plants to outcompete the algae and/or a coupld of siamese algae eaters (be careful to get true ones, others get large and are very aggressive. See link for more info).

Your tank is quite stocked but I don't think that adding SAE would overcrowd the area they occupy.

What are your nitrAtes like?

 

[Scales]

I have exactly the same problem with high phosphates and hair algae on my plants. All I did is what CS said bought a genuine SAE and hair algae is now gone.

As your from Manchester I would take a trip over to Bolton http/www.britains-aquatic.co.uk/ they have genuine SAE just ask a member of staff, their pretty good.

 

[Aquascaper]

Try a phosphate remover like Phos-Zorb. They're like big tea-bags and go in your filter. I use them in my marine, tropical and coldwater tanks.

 

[Jediagh]

That is a real funny sig you have their Aquascaper!