Blue-Green Cynobacteria

[pablothebetta]

I've seen some pics of this stuff when it's completely overtaken a tank and I really don't want this issue, so I'd really like to get rid of it asap. Currently I have a few small patches of this stuff near my crypt. nevelli and it seems to be spreading rather rapidly.

Tank info:
- 28L
- 1 male betta, 3 assassin snails, a couple of pest snails
- 11W lighting, usually on for 12-14 hours
- Daily EasyCarbo and trace ferts, but will be buying some TNC Complete soon
- Recently re-scaped

Any advice about the cause of it or how to remove it is very welcome.

Thanks

 

[FishFanatic04]

I just read James' Planted Tank -algae guide and apparently it's caused by everything

Cause : Often caused by very low nitrates. It is fairly common to have it growing in the substrate against the front glass from where it can spread. Sometimes it appears with new setups that have had light and ammonia present at some point. Dirty substrates and filters may also bring it on. Poor water circulation is another possible cause.


So that's not very helpful unless you can narrow down what is NOT causing it.

The guide. Theres a recommended treatment as well.

 

[pablothebetta]

Thanks for replying & looking that up. Nitrates are usually around 5-10ppm or above as I do have a small amount in my tap water. My setup isn't new, though admittedly my sand isn't the cleanest (I do vac it weekly with my w/cs, but it often collects in places I can't get to very easily). I'm unsure about my water circulation, though with a betta I don't think I'd want anything too strong anyway.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Maybe it was the rescape then, I posted the link to the algae guide above. Theres a recommended treatment. Doesn't seem too painful if it works.

 

[ian]

you light is the problem...the light needs to be on for a max of 8-10 hours. I expect this will be cured quite easily in your tank by doing a 3-4 day complete blackout. Before doing this, manually remove what you can, do a water change, and add some N03 if poss (if not, it doesn't matter to much). After 3-4 days, lower you light to 8 hours.

 

[pablothebetta]

I've done a blackout in another tank before due to green water, so I could try it on this tank too. Seen as though there isn't much algae, I should be able to remove it easily enough (I did a weekly 30-40% change just yesterday), before cutting out the light (might just get rid of the diatom/green dust algae in there too). Might give the filter a rinse next w/c too as that hasn't been done for a while.

ian: I don't currently have any I could dose, but I'm hoping to order some TNC complete within the next week or so which should sort this. I'll cut down on the light - would an hour or so in the morning and 6 in the evening be ok? Wouldn't quite make 8 hours though

Thanks to you both

 

[FishFanatic04]

Yikes, I missed the lighting period, sorry. You can do 6 hours in the evening only, 8-10 is a maximum. I only do 6 hours a day.

 

[pablothebetta]

Never really been sure on lighting tbh so I think I've pretty much just put it on whenever. I'll put it on for 6 hours in the evenings from tomorrow. Thanks