Algae Problems

[jiffy]

I admit its my fault. I started slacking on my tank maintenance and now my tank is overrun with algae, red algae.

I have fake plants and some rocks that are all covered in red algae along with green algae on the glass and gravel. I just scraped all the glass and scrubbed the plants and rocks some, but its not all off.

Its a 10g tank with some Dainos, Neon Tetras, and Skunk Cories. I am wondering if I should remove all decor and soak it in some bleach mixture or if multiple daily 10% water changes will rid me of this nastiness.

I have read that copper is a cure for the red algae, so I am debating trying that out.

Also, should I cut back on my lighting, currently 8 hrs a day?

 

[WILDER]

http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/tonealg.shtml

 

[jiffy]

Thanks for the link, but I'm still not completely sure what my approach should be.

A link in the article mentions using hydrogen peroxide, but one response posted on the page said many fish died from the hydrogen peroxide (while the author presumably lost no fish).

The copper would work, except I don't have another tank to keep my fish in for 7-10 days while the copper works its magic.

I have reduced lighting and added an air stone for extra areation, and I am starting to do multiple small water changes weekly, but I don't know what else to do.

Should I try and add a small dose of hydrogen peroxide? The article mentioned using less than 3ml/gallon, so staying more conservatively than that, I would think I should just start with 1ml/gallon.

I don't really know what I should try though...

 

[jiffy]

bump

 

[zig]

The red algae or bba is caused by high phosphate levels, the phosphates can come from fish waste or excess food and sometimes it can be present in your water supply, but if it wasnt an issue before its probably a build up of waste. Its a pity you dont have another tank, but what you could do is use household bleach.

Basically remove all the rocks fake plants etc even the gravel (anything you can really) get normal household bleach and dilute 1 part bleach to 19 parts water, and dip everything in this solution for no more than 5 minutes, this will kill the red algae, and as a bonus this method will also kill green algae.

Thoroughly rinse all the treated objects in clean water, your nose is usually a good guide here, and let them air dry, dont put them straight back in the tank.

When they are dry you can scrape off the dead algae to remove it.

Now some people will probably jump up and down here and say you cant use bleach etc etc, but this is a very common technique if you have a planted tank (usually the section i post in) as planted tanks will experience algae problems more than most, and basically it works and kills the algae and as long as you dilute properly, rinse properly and let air dry it will be safe for you to do.

To deal with any residue algae left in your tank is more difficult, as obviously you cant use the bleach solution, but remove as much as you can.

Also to try and eliminate the phosphate build up is your next priority, remove any dirt or fish waste from the bottom of the tank, this should be easier as you have removed the gravel, clean your filter, and do a big water change at least 50%.

This will at least get you back on track and have removed or killed most of the active algae, but you should try and get your hands on a phosphate test kit and see if the high phosphate levels are coming fom your tap water, as constant high levels of phosphates in your tap water will lead to further outbreaks, maybe your local lfs can do this for you.

Just try and keep the tank clean of any fish or food waste and that will keep the phosphate levels very low and this will help a lot also.

Best of luck with it