Anyone Know What This Algae Is?

[tqfan]

we have this furry type algae growing on our plants, and to some extent the filter inlet and outlet and heater, and i'm just wondering what type it is and what is the best way to get rid of it.

a few months ago, we had that blue green algae, and we successfully got rid of it using antibiotics (orange flavoured, lol) from the vet.

now this has appeared and we used some kind of algae remover stuff, sorry i can't remember the name, and it helped a little bit, but obviously it's still there.

i'm slightly confused as the plants are still healthy and growing like crazy, but it's not long before the new growth starts to get furry.

any help is greatly appreciated, thanks =)

i hope these links work!!!

 

[VaegaVic]

It does look like common hair algae.
Either that or a particulary green strain of Black Brush Algae.

I'd actually say it looks more like the latter in terms of shape.

Have this link:

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

Hope that helps

 

[Assaye]

Dunno what it is but it's kinda pretty >.<

 

[snowflake311]

Green hair algea wierd. It is pretty. Reminds me of the moss ball that are really algea balls. Ask the plant people they would have a better idea.

 

[Truck]

Hair algae or [font="Verdana][size="2"]Rhixoclonium [/size][/font]- caused by poor flow and unstable levels of CO2, out of interest, are you doing multiple water changes per week? how big is the tank and what filtration is on it?

 

[tqfan]

thanks vaegavic, will check that link.

snowflake, there are plant people?! lol!!

truckasaurus it's a 4 foot tank, roughly 130 litres, and we're using an external fluval 205, which apparently does up to 200 litres... however we have wondered if it's circulating the water properly... the thing is, the tank has been setup for about 6 months, the algae has only appeared in the last 2 months, or so, surely it would have appeared before then if water circulation is the problem??

if it is the circulation, can we fix it? the instructions for the filter are crap, and say nothing about how to change power, to make it work better. last time we cleaned it, which is what they recommend if working poorly, there wasn't much change.

we do regular water changes, yes. like i said before, the plants are actually growing really well, we have a couple that have grown the whole length of the tank.

edit: how do you check for co2 levels? the master kit we use, doesn't have that in it... just read high co2 is harmful to fish, we've not had a death in months, they're all very active, some have bred, and a few pairs are actively trying to breed, so i would take a stab and say co2 is fine?

 

[Bebobb]

Wow, I think that the first pic is lovely! But I would hate to have it in my tank. I think it would look nice as a background, though. Wish I could help you.

 

[Truck]

Add a koralia 1 powerhead and your problems should go away, there is no need to measure CO2 if you are not injecting it. How often do you do water changes?

 

[tqfan]

i took the pics with my new macro lens, lol, i'm quite amazed by the pics. got a good pic of one of my male honey gouramis!

also did a bit of reading on co2, how low levels can cause these problems. if the plants are growing so well, i assume it's due to what co2 there is, and them using it. that's if that's how it all works... was always better at chemistry than biology, lmao! i don't know, maybe i'm talking rubbish!

anyways, we were doing about 25% every week, but are now maybe doing 10% every few days. should we go daily? and how much change?

we had thought about a powerhead, too, but aren't sure how they work. they don't attach to the filter, am i correct? they just sit in the tank to make the water flow?

thanks for your help =)

 

[Truck]

Do 50% every 2 weeks instead, and a koralia will fix to the glass with a magnet and will increase water circulation, they don't need to be connected to a filter.

 

[tqfan]

i have found those powerheads on ebay, unless you know of any online shops? i will check my local LFS, but doubt they will have them, it's not that big.

i read that amano shrimp will eat this, is that true, does anyone know?

thanks again =)

 

[Truck]

I doubt amano shrimp will have a considerable impact, you need to stop it being triggered, as a pose to constantly combating it.

Charter house aquatics do them quite cheap.