Algae Removal Afterfishless Cycle

[StatMan]

Have finished cycling 240L (60Gal) tank. Following the add daily method:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

But big problem, as described there is a large amount of algae in the tank I will shortly be doing the 90% water change adding plants and also some bogwood to replace the rocks currently in there. The substrate is a 4mm smooth pea shingle. Both the Glass and the Shingle have a large amount of green and brown algae on them. Cleanng the glass I guess is relatively easy. but how do I sort out the shingle, it has a layer of JBL Plant complete underneath to promote plant growth once in there so I can't easily remove and clean it all.

Should I try and scrape the top level of gravel and clean it or is there a chemical solution to the problem?

More details in this thread:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry2286272

StatMan

 

[jonnyf84]

Not a good idea to take too much gravel out and clean it as it harbours many beneficial bacteria. In future keep your light off for the entire time you are cycling - no light = no algae. If you add plants now into a low-tech tank (no CO2 or nutrients) then the plants will be slow growing and will soon get covered by the algae that is already present in your tank. I would lower light to a couple of hours a day, if you have live plants in there then up it to 5 hours a day, the easiest thing to do would be to add 2 or 3 Algae eaters, the best of which is of coarse the common Bristlenose Plec, if you dont like these fish you can always take them back to the store for a exchange once they'v done there business. The other way, which will benefit live plants greatly, is to add Easylife EasyCarbo, this will create CO2 for your plants and doubles as a fantastic algaecide. I use pressurized CO2 but i still add EasyCarbo to keep the algae to a minimum, if you use easy carbo then at least triple the stated dose, i use 12ml per day in my 100 litre, remember to dose at the same time everyday as its process is only effective for 24 hours.

Best of luck,
jonny

 

[StatMan]

Not a good idea to take too much gravel out and clean it as it harbours many beneficial bacteria. In future keep your light off for the entire time you are cycling - no light = no algae. If you add plants now into a low-tech tank (no CO2 or nutrients) then the plants will be slow growing and will soon get covered by the algae that is already present in your tank. I would lower light to a couple of hours a day, if you have live plants in there then up it to 5 hours a day, the easiest thing to do would be to add 2 or 3 Algae eaters, the best of which is of coarse the common Bristlenose Plec, if you dont like these fish you can always take them back to the store for a exchange once they'v done there business. The other way, which will benefit live plants greatly, is to add Easylife EasyCarbo, this will create CO2 for your plants and doubles as a fantastic algaecide. I use pressurized CO2 but i still add EasyCarbo to keep the algae to a minimum, if you use easy carbo then at least triple the stated dose, i use 12ml per day in my 100 litre, remember to dose at the same time everyday as its process is only effective for 24 hours.

Best of luck,
jonny

Jonny

Thanks for the detail.

Was looking to skim off the gravel on the top that had the algae on it ther is a pretty good depth on the tank and two layers of substrate one being the finer JBL Aquabasis for the plants to root into.

The tank is empty except for the Gravel and large rocks which will come out and be replaced with the bogwood.

I have seen the EasyCarbo mentioned elsewhere but have not spotted it on my travels, will keep an eye out for it. Maybe can use it once the plants are in. Givign a double benfit.

Also I have a Chinese Algae Eater who is going to be going into this tank anyway as he is getting a little big for the otos that are in the tank he is currently in. SO I guess he gets to be the first resident, think I will try and do the clean up this weekend if I get the time and then look to move the fish in a week ahead. The tank is now processing the ammonia very well.

Have tried not to rush this, just want the best starting point, which is why the look of the tank at the moment is a little disappointing but want to do the best thing to get it back to shape.

StatMan

 

[Truck]

Not a good idea to take too much gravel out and clean it as it harbours many beneficial bacteria. In future keep your light off for the entire time you are cycling - no light = no algae. If you add plants now into a low-tech tank (no CO2 or nutrients) then the plants will be slow growing and will soon get covered by the algae that is already present in your tank. I would lower light to a couple of hours a day, if you have live plants in there then up it to 5 hours a day, the easiest thing to do would be to add 2 or 3 Algae eaters, the best of which is of coarse the common Bristlenose Plec, if you dont like these fish you can always take them back to the store for a exchange once they'v done there business. The other way, which will benefit live plants greatly, is to add Easylife EasyCarbo, this will create CO2 for your plants and doubles as a fantastic algaecide. I use pressurized CO2 but i still add EasyCarbo to keep the algae to a minimum, if you use easy carbo then at least triple the stated dose, i use 12ml per day in my 100 litre, remember to dose at the same time everyday as its process is only effective for 24 hours.

Best of luck,
jonny

firstly the substrate contains very little bacteria, its all kept in the filter
never over dose easy carbo unless you want dead fish, or plants like riccia mosses and valliseneria melting.
dose a full dose and if its brown algae, dont use an algae cide there really isnt a need it will go in time, its cause is silicates and small amounts of ammonia being leached from silicon into the water, also the ammonia in the cycling may have triggered it.

 

[StatMan]

Not a good idea to take too much gravel out and clean it as it harbours many beneficial bacteria. In future keep your light off for the entire time you are cycling - no light = no algae. If you add plants now into a low-tech tank (no CO2 or nutrients) then the plants will be slow growing and will soon get covered by the algae that is already present in your tank. I would lower light to a couple of hours a day, if you have live plants in there then up it to 5 hours a day, the easiest thing to do would be to add 2 or 3 Algae eaters, the best of which is of coarse the common Bristlenose Plec, if you dont like these fish you can always take them back to the store for a exchange once they'v done there business. The other way, which will benefit live plants greatly, is to add Easylife EasyCarbo, this will create CO2 for your plants and doubles as a fantastic algaecide. I use pressurized CO2 but i still add EasyCarbo to keep the algae to a minimum, if you use easy carbo then at least triple the stated dose, i use 12ml per day in my 100 litre, remember to dose at the same time everyday as its process is only effective for 24 hours.

Best of luck,
jonny

firstly the substrate contains very little bacteria, its all kept in the filter
never over dose easy carbo unless you want dead fish, or plants like riccia mosses and valliseneria melting.
dose a full dose and if its brown algae, dont use an algae cide there really isnt a need it will go in time, its cause is silicates and small amounts of ammonia being leached from silicon into the water, also the ammonia in the cycling may have triggered it.

Did a quick clean with an algae scraper yesterday.

Fortunately this algae produced a very thick film but was actualy like a layer of cellophane, so it peels off fairly easy and a bit of fishing and netting got the worst of the glass stuff off.

At the weekend I will be doing a large water change and will vacuum the gravel and I recon it will all disappear just need to keep an eye on it not coming back then.

StatMan