Green Spot Algae

[chipster55]

I have posed this question before in many different forums. everything that has been suggested has not worked other that scraping it off every two weeks. Does anyone know how to get rid of GREEN SPOT ALGAE. I have tried everything from blackouts to phosphate removers to water changes on a daily basis to cutting way back on feeding. My water conditions are excellent (0 AMMONIA 0 NITRATE 4-5 NITRATE). I am getting ready to go to a planted tank and have removed all fish from it. Tha damn algae still is there. I clean it about every two weeks. I am tearing down the tank (55 Gal) removing substrate and and restarting with new substrate for plants and will cycle with just plants. I also have read that you cannot kill algae by restarting a tank ie dry it out and start over..If anyone has had success get rid of this junk using a solution beyond the normal suggestions I would be extremely grateful.

 

[Colin_T]

are you talking about little green dots of algae that are on the glass. If so the best way to remove it is to scrape it off with a single sided/edged razor blade.

You can also try using an algicide. Some will kill algae and not affect the plants too much.

 

[tangokitty]

Start off with a bunch of stem plants so that they will suck all the nutrient out of the water and starve out the algae.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Start off with a bunch of stem plants so that they will suck all the nutrient out of the water and starve out the algae.

This isn`t really how plants outcompete algae, as a lot of planted tanks have nutrients dosed in excess of plant requirements. Algae can thrive in nutrient poor environments in which plants will struggle.

A lot of people with planted tanks get rid of GSA by adding phosphates. You will, however, need to get your head around the concept that phophates do not cause algae.

Dave.

 

[chipster55]

Thanks for the answers...I have been scraping this off with striaght edge razor, This is what I am trying to get rid of...Adding phosphates is new to me..Everything I've read says remove phosphates to try to get rid of GSA..Obviously I am no expert in this field but I sure would like to find someone who has had a bad outbreak of GSA and got rid of it..I have yet to meet anyone that has...Any answers on my question on breaking down Aquarium to get rid of it??I'd be happy to buy Steak and Lobster for someone that can cure this junk...

 

[chipster55]

are you talking about little green dots of algae that are on the glass. If so the best way to remove it is to scrape it off with a single sided/edged razor blade.

You can also try using an algicide. Some will kill algae and not affect the plants too much.

This is more like an area of green algae that eventually will get on all the glass if not scraped on a regular basis..It is also all over substrate and ornaments. I am trying to get rid of it because I am tired of scraping it off exery week or two.

 

[Colin_T]

If it feels like slime and lifts off in sheets it is blue green algae (Cyanobacter bacteria). This stuff grows really rapidly and covers everything in a film of green, brown, black or red coloured snot, at least that's what it resembles at times.
It grows from excess nutrients in the water.
The easiest way to get rid of it is to do daily water changes and gravel cleans and suck out as much as possible. Cut back on feeding, particularly dry foods. Reducing the light can help and increasing water movement and oxygen levels in the water will help.
A picture might help to identify it.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Adding phosphates is new to me..Everything I've read says remove phosphates to try to get rid of GSA..Obviously I am no expert in this field but I sure would like to find someone who has had a bad outbreak of GSA and got rid of it..

As long as you realise that in a planted tank that phosphate does not cause algae, but a deficiency will, you are on the right lines for ridding yourself of it. A lot of people on UKAPS forum now know this, as on other planted tank forums.

I get occassional outbreaks that are easily cured by upping the phosphates a tad. I know many people who have got rid of this stuff. It isn`t that difficult.

Keep an excess of phosphates for your plants, use a bit of elbow grease and it should go.

Dave.