Rust Coloured Algae?

[Florence88]

Hello fellow fish lovers...

So just wondering (as you do)...i have rust coloured algae growing in my tank over the ornaments and things - not on the glass though and was wondering whether this was normal?? I have had the ornaments a couple of years now and they're starting to chip and wondered if this might be the cause??

Also if anyone has an Apple snail - or any experience of keeping one - my snail's shell isnt looking too good - looks like it's flaking and quite dry (if it can be in a tank of water??!!) Not as yellow as it used to look.

Anywho still quite a newbie so any info would be awesome!!
Thanks

 

[Joshwainwright]

Have you just been through a fishless cycle?

What is your ammonia level?

 

[Florence88]

Have you just been through a fishless cycle?

What is your ammonia level?

Thanks for the reply!! I have only had 2 catfish for a while now as all the others kinda....died....
I checked it just after a water change.....i'll do one now tho...

 

[Florence88]

So i just did an overall test - all levels apart from carbonate hardness are okay...this value is 15d??

 

[Lolly123]

So i just did an overall test - all levels apart from carbonate hardness are okay...this value is 15d??

Hello,

What do you mean when you say your levels are okay?

What is your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH, we need numbers to give you better guidance. Are you testing with strips or a liquid kit, because the strips are useless and pretty much a waste of money.

How many litres is your tank, what type of filtration external, internal?

Sounds like a lot of questions I know, but if all of your other fish have died then there must be a reason as to why.

 

[Florence88]

Thanks for your reply!

So yea, i have been using the strips - thanks for the heads-up that they're not great! Is there any testing kit that you reccommend?
My tank is a small 54l with internal?? filtration....the filter is inside the tank so i'm going on that!!

I won't be able to give you numbers until i get a different testing kit then i'm afraid

 

[Lolly123]

Thanks for your reply!

So yea, i have been using the strips - thanks for the heads-up that they're not great! Is there any testing kit that you reccommend?
My tank is a small 54l with internal?? filtration....the filter is inside the tank so i'm going on that!!

I won't be able to give you numbers until i get a different testing kit then i'm afraid

I would say that if your budget allows then an API master kit would be great to have, im sure you'll be able to find a good deal somewhere. It really is essential to have, atleast the main ones anyway.

See the thing is with smaller tanks, they pollute very easily and toxins can soon get out of hand if not recognised and dealt with soon enough. And no offence to yourself, this is just a general statement which included myself when I was new to fish keeping, most newbies tend to buy fish that are not suitable or overstock quickly and boom everything gets a little messy.

Water quality is extremely important, ensure you use a good dechlorinator, keep on top of water changing as well as gravel vacs and don't overfeed.

Let us know when you got those numbers for your stats.