Is This Cyanobacteria (Blue /Green Algae)

[Tony_W]

Can anyone help confirm if I have Cyanobacteria (Blue /Green Algae).
On the attached picture the darker leaves are covered in a slim, and also on my driftwood and gravel.

My tank gets direct sunlight in the summer (early mornings), its not a problem in the winter months.

also has anyone tried "Ultralife Blue Green Slime Stain Remover", is it safe.
If a disturb it will it die or do I have to catch the slime and remove it?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[MattW]

The stuff on the gravel is definitely CB, so I would assume it's also CB on the leaves. CB in my tank has completely taken over the entire bottom half of the substrate layer

Never tried any chemical to remove it before. Only manual removal, which didn't work very well. I bet another member has tried that slime remover though.

 

[Tony_W]

Thanks MattW, I've been vacuuming my gravel, and the slime just slides off the plants with my fingers, not so easy on the feathery plants and bog wood.
Don't really want to use chemicals, but was curious about others experience.
The solution will be to get some blinds on my windows

 

[Colin_T]

Yes it's blue green algae (aka Cyanobacter bacteria). The ultra life blue green slime remover works and is safe for fish and plants (not sure about snails or shrimp).

You can normally get rid of it through physical removal of the slime, reducing dry food and removing uneaten food asap, increasing aeration and water movement around the bottom half of the tank, cleaning the filter at least once a month, doing big daily water changes and gravel cleans for a few weeks.

Make sure your light has a temperature around 5500-6500K. The colour of the light should look white, not pink or red because the Cyanobacteria love red light.

 

[Tony_W]

Thank you Colin_T, some really good advice. I've reduced the time my lights are on and also reduced the red light.

I think I'll trying the manual removal , and vacuum the front of my tank regular, and water changes. Don't really want to add chemicals so will delay doing that.

Thank you