My Tank...complete With Algae

[Sunny_Bee]

Here's a shot I just took of my tank (it's a 20 gallon).

I'd really love some opinions and advice! I've been keeping tropicals on and off for years, this tank for about 4 years now. But I'll admit, I haven't done much research on the plants, I've just put them in and hoped for the best. My water quality is good and the parameters are always steady, but obviouly something is off to cause this type of algae growth. I recently put in a better light and that made some difference, the substrate isn't as coated with algae anymore, but I've had this poor sword since the tank's been set up, but it's been suffering for the past year or so. Do I need CO2 and fertilizer?

 

[tangokitty]

What does the algea look like? does it grow and spread rapidly? Does it grow in sheets over everything?

 

[Sunny_Bee]

The main offender is the type growing on the sword in the last pic. It's long and stringy and very tough. I really have to work to remove it.

I was getting the sheet type (cyanobacteria I believe?) but the light seems to have helped with that.

 

[tangokitty]

Do you have any shrimps or crustaceans? If not I'd start with Algae Fix (if they sell it there) That will kill the algae and not harm the plants or fish, then start adding co2 and ferts. And maybe some more quick growing plants so that the plants will out compette the algae. What kind of lights do you have, and how much watts per gallon?

 

[Sunny_Bee]

Will the Algae Fix harm my cories or otto? If not I'll have a look for it, who makes it?
I'm not sure about the light, I picked it up on the advice of my local trop store owner and thew the box away. I'll check on that and let you know.

I'd also thought that ottos would help with algae, or is this a myth (like plecos and snails)?

edit: I just clued in that you asked about shrimp, so I'm guessing they will likely be the only ones harmed by the Algae Fix (it's been a long day )

 

[tangokitty]

i use algae fix when I get a bad outbreak of algae, I have ottos, snails and shrimps and they all seem to handle it well but the bottle warns it may harm shrimps or crustaceans so use caution if you have those. I also have a fully planted tank and the plants do not seem to be harmed. I do not have corries so I really can't comment on them.

 

[blodhi74]

I while back I had such issues with algae. Over dosed with Excel and that resolved the issue.

 

[Renate]

Looks like you have black brush algae.

I had this when I came back from vacation and lost my plants to it. Figured it is due to a combination of too much light and fish food in my tank.

Flourish excel is the safest way to go. It is sold as replacement for co2 but kills some algae. I find is cheapest on EBay.

Have you tried a 3 day black out. Read after 3 day black out a good clean up is needed. For death of algae is toxic.

Some take the plants out and pick it off. I wasn't able to do so.

At worst try a Clorox dip. Read it is 1/20 mixture which you dip the plant in briefly and then rinse it off.

Keep us posted.

 

[Sunny_Bee]

Thanks for all the advice
I have tried picking it off but it's really hard and I was doing a lot of damage to the plant in the process. I may try the flourish as well as a black out. I will surely keep you all posted, I hope I can get rid of the nasty stuff!

 

[paul_219]

Thats a very nice tank. Looking gr8.