Weird Papery Algae

[moochy13]

got this stuff in my second smaller tank. only appeared in the last month or so. nothing has changed, no new fish, same maintenance. nothing is added to the tank, no live plants. lights are on about 12 hours, which i know is a bit much but its always been like that.

anyway, heres the pics. the algae itself looks paperthin, and when you pick it up its slimy like the skin on custard, but a lot thinner and a bit smelly.

as you can see it is a very vibrant green.

cheers

 

[Ps3Steveo]

It's BGA, blue green algae, often caused by very low nitrates. It is fairly common to have it growing in the substrate against the front glass from where it can spread. Sometimes it appears with new setups that have had light and ammonia present at some point. Dirty substrates and filters may also bring it on. Poor water circulation is another possible cause.

 

[moochy13]

thanks, so basically everything can bring it on hahaha. time for a deep clean of the set-up then i think.

will the algae spread as long as theres some in there, or will it die off once the conditions have improved in the tank ?

 

[SO19Firearms]

Blackout - > The Planted Tank Algae guide

 

[moochy13]

im a bit concerned because the 'cure' for this algae seems to involve putting all sorts of stuff in my tank. for 4 years its sat in the same place, doing the same thing, for the same amount of time, and ive not had this problem. i dont see why i all of a sudden need to starts putting nitrates and co2 into my tank just to get it like it has been? as im reading that link it appears its something id have to carry on for the rest of eternity ?!?!

id rather find out why i have low nitrates and fix that than just starts pouring more nitrates in. and im certainly not about to invest in a co2 system for a tank which, to be honest, i dont really care about with regards to making it look amazing and have great fish in it. its just a home for my refugees and stragglers. and it has no live plants for the co2 to benefit.

what i will do is clean or replace the gravel, get rid of the worst of the algae, do a water change and blackout period, then another water change and see what happens.

 

[SO19Firearms]

and it has no live plants for the co2 to benefit

Excellent point. Posting in the planted section threw me.
Blackout etc will start you off, clean all you can and improve tank husbandry.