ALGAE RE-APPEARS?

[happyadd]

Hey;

I posted a while back complaining of quite thick green algae that appears on my bogwood. I knwo bogwood is nutorious for algae so following the advice of this forum, I boiled it for a while and scrubbed it. This did the trick.

For the last week or so its been fine; I've added some neons and a small albino plec. Unfortunately, the algae has reappeared over the last 24 hours.

Its not like normal algae which is thin and green (like on glass) this stuff is thick and green, like spores.

Does anyone know what type this is, will the plec eat it up for me or shall I boil again, bearing in mind my tank is stocked now and I dont want to disturb my fishies!

Please help I hate the stuff, no direct sunlight, water tests are normal, ph 7, nitrite 0 ammonia 0 although nitrate is around 40ppm

Thanks!

 

[Mr Miagi]

Dude, algae in aquariums is inedviatable, but plecs do great! I added two 1cm babies 2weeks ago, and they been doin great. And boy have they munch my algae problems away!

 

[happyadd]

Yeah but is it algae, its really thick?

 

[cometcattle]

How long are you leaving your lights on for?

Does it look like any of these?

http/www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9

 

[happyadd]

Its in small clumps bout the size of a 5p only a little bit so far but it spread last time its green, similar to the beard algae but green not brown.

The lights are on for 9 hours a day with a flourescent tube for light. I dont have a break in between but cant see how that would stop algae anyway.

Or is it just a common thing in all aquariums and I should just put up with it!

also, last time the green stuff, which I think is algae also had white spores? like mould and only on bogwood!

Any takers?

 

[Ferris]

Reducing the lights on time will definately help. Depending on the size of your tank, I'd reccommend a Sailfin Plec (55gal at least) or 1 or 2 Bristlenose Plecs if you have a smaller tank. Both of these Plecs should clear your Algae in no time, did with my tanks!

 

[Grey Legion]

What is the smallest specis of pleco you can buy...smallest in adult size that is I would like to try one but it would have to stay on the small side when fully grown.

Thanks

 

[happyadd]

Mt tank is only a 15G and my Plec is a little one bout one inch, what you mean bout reducing light on time?

 

[Ferris]

There are quite a few Plecs that grow to around 4 inches, like the Bristlenose. However unlike the Bristlenose, they can cost a fortune, £20 upwards.

Check out this link:

Planet Catfish

 

[Grey Legion]

There are quite a few Plecs that grow to around 4 inches, like the Bristlenose. However unlike the Bristlenose, they can cost a fortune, £20 upwards.

Check out this link:

Planet Catfish

What a great link...

Thank you so much..you just gave me about 100 hours of reading !!

 

[pahansen]

If you decide on a pleco, do a bit of research before you buy. While many species are excellent algae eaters, many species are not. My pleco would sooner starve than eat algae -- he's very much omnivorous and only gets his algae supply from tablets. I had to buy a Siamese Algae Eater to wipe out algae for me. (He does a fantastic job, though!)

I think I know the algae you're referring to. Is it a bright, grass green, growing in low and tiny clumps? Eventually it almost looks mossy as it grows over things? If so, this is the type of algae I was fighting. My SAE wiped it out in a couple of days, but SAEs can grow to 6", so they're not for every tank. You can try posting on the catfish board to ask for suggestions for the best plecos for your situation if you'd like. That may help too.

The suggestion to reduce your lighting is because the algae needs the light to live. Sometimes reducing the lighting period will cause the algae to die off. This can be a problem if you have live plants, which also need the light, but if you don't have live plants it may helpe quite a bit.

Good luck,
Pamela

 

[Ferris]

what you mean bout reducing light on time?

Light promotes Algae, without light green Algae will die. I had a problem with Algae in the early days of one of my tanks, left the lights off for a week - result no algae. If you have live plants, they will also suffer though, the fish will be fine.

What a great link...

Thank you so much..you just gave me about 100 hours of reading !!

No probs Grey Legion.....enjoy