More on Algae

[njnauticalnut]

In my 5 gallon, in the past 2 weeks I am noticing an inordinate amount of algae. I even saw some hairy algae on an ornament. This is not typical. I know there are more fish in there than should be, as they are temporarily awaiting their new home which is not done cycling. Is the overstock probably the reason for this increase in algae? "All" of these fish have been in there for about 2 1/2 - 3 months without this algae buildup.

I also had a thought about changing the filter media in the whisper filter that is in there. Since the bio bag is the only media in the filter, if/when I change the foam bag, won't I lose my bacteria colony? Last year I had some fish deaths and I wonder if the tank did a mini cycle. When I checked the water parameters there were fine, but I may have missed it. Any suggestions on a good way to change out the media or can I just rinse it?

 

[tstenback]

can you get 2 bags in there at the same time? Can you get 2 smaller bags and just change one out? I have used empty bags and filled one with the old stuff and an other with the new stuff then as needed i just swap one out so there is always a good source of bacteria.

 

[njnauticalnut]

Hmmm, not sure if I could get two bags in there as it is a pretty small filter, I will have to check my LFS to see the sizes. When I did a water change today I changed the bag just like I have been doing. I will monitor the water parameters. If they change at all I know I will have to find a different way to change out the bag. I will still check to see if I can find two small bags.

I got a good portion of the algae out, I have never had this problem before. There is sunlight, but no different than it has always been. The pleco that is in there awaiting his new home, he is still very little, must be happy with all the algae around him though I wish he would feast a bit more! I actually need to keep a close eye as he moved while I was scraping the algae off of the sides and I inadvertently tapped him with the algae brush. He moved away and has been there ever since. He is such a timid little guy, I hope he didn't get too stressed out by his encounter with the brush.