Algae...?

[CCFC Monkey]

I have a Green hair like algae forming in my tank, but the odd strand now and again. Is this normal?
I've read its means I have a large nitrate level. But on testing it was fine.

Is there any explaination for this?

 

[Rafael Dilone]

I have a Green hair like algae forming in my tank, but the odd strand now and again. Is this normal?
I've read its means I have a large nitrate level. But on testing it was fine.

Is there any explaination for this?

Algae can be caused by several reasons. Such as overfeeding your fish will result in uneaten food that accumulates at the bottom of the tank. The food then release vitamin,minerals, and nutrients that can cause a change in the pH value and overtime can cause algae. Also if you have your lights on for long periods of time that causes excess algae. I am guessing you have a fish only aquarium. So you should have 1 to 2 watts per gallon for light intensity. Also if you have a weak filter (filter that is to small for the aquarium)that can cause unclean water and therefor more likely for algae growth. Well my solution if you have a big aquarium would be to get a Ultaviolet Sterilizer. They not only get rid of algae but also can get rid of paracites. But they can be very expensive. Especially those that are EPA-registered ones(they are the best). But a cheap solution would be to buy a liquid formula that gets rid of algae. I have used Algae-Fix before and it has amazing results within less than a week. Also the type of algae you have is algae hair. Most fish like some algae in water if the rest of the water chemistry is good. But it is unpleasing to look at it at a certain point. Good look with your algae problems.

 

[Majjie]

I'm no expert but in my tanks it is the light level that encourages the growth of hair algae. It is particularly bad in the two tanks that get some sunlight.

In one of these I have recently added 4 amano shrimp. They struggled with the hair algae to start with but since I pulled off the longest bits they have done a good job keeping it mown short

 

[Rafael Dilone]

I'm no expert but in my tanks it is the light level that encourages the growth of hair algae. It is particularly bad in the two tanks that get some sunlight.

In one of these I have recently added 4 amano shrimp. They struggled with the hair algae to start with but since I pulled off the longest bits they have done a good job keeping it mown short

You must take into consideration that you should not place your tank near a window because sunlight will hit the tank and you can have algae bloom . Also know that the lux(light intensity of the sun is very high). Amano Shrimp can control various algae but only to a certain extent. You cant trust they will solve all your algae problems.

 

[Majjie]

Yeah, thanks Rafael. I know it's not ideal - but MTS has struck and there's nowhere else for two of the tanks to go, except near a window.

The one that had the worst problem has two otocinclus and now the shrimp - as the algae eating crew - and so far everything seems to be fine. Shrimp keep down the rough stuff and ottos eat the filmy algae

 

[nmonks]

Algae is only somewhat related to nitrate level. You can have high nitrates but no algae, and conversely low nitrates but bad algae problems. Invariably though, tanks with lots of algae have few fast-growing plants. If you have lots of fast growing plants (such as vallis, hornwort, and cabomba) you won't have algae problems.

It isn't because the plants are using up the nitrates and phosphates, which is what some people think. No, plants produce chemicals that supress algal growth. They evolved this trick to stop their leaves from being covered in algae. It benefits us because those same chemicals keep algae problems to a minimum.

There's a nice summary of this over in the Planted Tanks section. Surprisingly enough, algae eaters can actually make things worse. Adding any fish increases the nitrates and phosphates, and without extra plants to compensate, you will get even worse algae problems. To have a permanently algae-free tank requires a balanced approach using plants, rather than relying on algae eating fish.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[Majjie]

OK thanks Neale - and sorry CCFC Monkey - seem to have hijacked your thread - but hopefully you find all this useful too.

My tank is fairly heavily planted. It was just the hair algae that seemed to be taking over and just on the bog wood. I wanted the shrimp anyway (they're cute - the way they grab bits of the fish food and rush off with them )

I've never had much luck with cabomba - it always falls apart - but I do have a nice vigorous form of hornwort that now also tries to take over in all my tanks - doesn't seem to stop the hair algae in the sunny tanks tho'. I also have Amazon Frogbit on the surface trying to take over.

I know talk of plants should be in the Planted Tanks section - but I just feel inadequate when I look there. It's all technical stuff about the types of lights and producing CO2. I haven't got the patience, time or money to use CO2 - I just use trial and error (terrible admission for an ex-scientist ). I will have a look at those links tho' - Thanks

Edit: Nice article on Algae Eaters. Fraid the other one had my eyes glazing over.

 

[CCFC Monkey]

Thanks for help.

I have a 25ltr tank, with 2 ballon mollies, 1 pleco, 1 albino corydora, 1 guppy ( 1 female died yesterday r.i.p)

Its not a big problem, just notice the odd strand now and again. Since putting my potted plant in. I shall see how she goes. Water test are fine, I have my tank in the darkest corner of the room, although its next to a window, it get no direct sunlight. Anywhere else in the room it would be on full view of the noon day sun through my patio doors.

Female who died, just looked stressed out since getting her home about a week or two ago. Shame really, she was beautiful! I'll have to replace her in a week or two so he has a new mate!