Holy grean algae, Batman!! Need a plan of attack!!!!

[doug z]

I came back from my 2 week vacation to this:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/dougzdanivsky/greenalgae.jpg

Where do I even begin??

I'm changing out 50% of the water right now, but I know that will solve nothing..

Need some help, here! :)

I had somebody coming in to feed them every couple days..

But no idea of the cause of this.

I DID shut down one of my 2217 Eheim filters, as it was leaking, and I didn't want to worry about a wet carpet, but other than that, no idea..

Window was closed, lights and CO2 were on auto (8 hours each)..

Thoughts?

What do I do?

[rich311k]

Probably was a brief ammonia spike from over feeding. The good news is that green water is self correcting, it has already consumed what fueld it. The problem now is getting rid of it.

I wouuld do a large water change, clean all filters etc. Then black out the tank for 3-4 days. Completely cover the tank in blankets, black bags whatever. Add an airstone, turn off the CO2 and do not peak, no feeding nothing. Hopefully it will be gone after 4 dyas, do another large water change and resume you regular routine.

Good luck.

[doug z]

Probably was a brief ammonia spike from over feeding.

Could it be from shutting down the other filter?

Will I be ok starting it up again?

Somewhere I read that if you shut down a filter for 2 long it's not good to just start it up again..

[rich311k]

It could be. The reduction in bacteria may have cause a brief rise in ammonia. I would put in fresh sponges first since it has been off a week. I see no reason why you cuold not turn it back on.

[Wild Turkey]

They say that because the media basket is small and full of water and gunk still, so as soon as it stops flowing it becomes an ammonia factory. Basically dump the water and replace it with new tank water, then turn it on and you should be fine.

Ive only had a floating algae problem like that once, a bunch of plants died and rotted. Doing water changes and vacuuming the substrate well each time should get rid of it eventually.


I think blacking out the tank can help but would be my last resort , since knowing you thats probably a planted tank, and hurting the plants could result in more ammonia and rotting matter etc etc

The rotting food is feeding the algae, and the lack of light from the algae blocking it out is probably also adversely effecting your plants so my first priority would be to wc and vacuum, repeat, repeat, repeat then go from there.

Good luck, when i say eventually, I mean eventually lol

[rich311k]

Plants wont even blink at a few days in the dark. A plan of maintaing CO2 levels over 30ppm, lots of maintenance, and time will clear it up as well. Be sure to stay up on your CO2 and ferts. If your plants are not growing well, the algae will not recede.

[Wild Turkey]

Some more time in the dark after several days in the low light conditions just isnt the best option for a planted tank I-M-O. I feel that it may be exacerbating one of the potential causes of the algae. If you turn the lights off the plants will use even less nutrients which I believe is part of the problem.

I agree keep the co2 high and steady. I think doug has an injection system so that should be no problem.

[doug z]

Would running a diatom filter help?

Shame I don't have a UV set-up..

[rich311k]

Yes a diatom will eliminate it. If you have one then you will have no problem getting rid of the stuff.

[doug z]

Ok, cool..

I'll get it set up..

[Wild Turkey]

That should work like a charm, seems you are even better set-up than I thought!thumbs2:

[Lady Hobbs]

Holy cow. Now ain't that purdy. Guess the water needed more movement. You'll have that cleared right back up with that diatom filter, tho.

Hope you had a nice vacation, tho.

[doug z]

That should work like a charm, seems you are even better set-up than I thought!

I got it just when I was getting the tank set up like a year ago, and I had an accident with the laterite..

I was panicked and bought the filter, but it settled down in a couple days, and the filter has sat, un-used..

I hope it works!

[Wild Turkey]

I got it just when I was getting the tank set up like a year ago, and I had an accident with the laterite..

I was panicked and bought the filter, but it settled down in a couple days, and the filter has sat, un-used..

I hope it works!

Oh yes I remember. Glad you are getting some use out of it!

I did a quick Google and from what people say your tank should be clear in just a few days, maybe even less.

[doug z]

I did a quick Google and from what people say your tank should be clear in just a few days, maybe even less

Sweet!!!!!

[doug z]

Filter seems to be working great..

I can almost see the back of the tank.. :)

Am I supposed to be shutting the unit off every 3 hours or so, or can I run it continuously?

Again, when I bought the thing originally I remember reading something about that, but darned if I can find anything on it now..

[Wild Turkey]

I find a lot of people arguing about it. In this case, I dont see any alternative really though since you will still need to run it just as long to get all the algae out.

They say you shouldnt run it all the time for polishing the tank because it takes out pretty much everything good and bad I believe

[doug z]

I was more concerned with over-taxing the motor..

[Wild Turkey]

I was more concerned with over-taxing the motor..

What brand is it?

I think thats only an issue if it gets clogged up

[rich311k]

I have a friend who has one. he runs it all day if he is home. He does not like to leave it unattended as he has had clogging problems with it.

[doug z]

What brand is it?

Vortex D-1.

How would I know if it were clogged?

A different pitch coming from the motor?

[Wild Turkey]

Vortex D-1.

How would I know if it were clogged?

A different pitch coming from the motor?

I guess just giving it a rinse preemptively would be the best thing to do, but thats something to watch for I guess, or the flow decreasing etc

People say the vortex filters are tougher to burn out so thats good news

hows it looking now?

[Algenco]

watch the flow, when it 70% or so clean the filter and restart, I've ran my XL-1 for 36 hours.