algae

[Pele]

I officially hate algae...
I was out of town for a week so I left a fish sitter to keep track of my tanks.
she forgot to turn off the lights.
But thats not the point, the point is there is a thick, slimy green layer of algae on all of the plants, and a bunch of cructed green algae that just wont scrub off! So, does anyone know how I could get rid of this algae?

[hockeyhead019]

jungle has an algae gone type tab that worked like a charm for me as i had the same situation haha left for a long weekend came back to find a mess of algae

[Lady Hobbs]

Not sure but I think the Jungle Algae Gone is not for tanks that are planted. Check that out before you run out and get some.

[hockeyhead019]

idk hobbs i used it and my plants have been fine... (only used it once though) HOWEVER i was foolish and didn't read whether or not it was plant friendly so i may have just gotten lucky lol... definitely read to double check.

[fish00053]

Yes algae is a nuisance. Be extremely carefulthumbs2: what product you buy to rid your tank of algae. Some of the products are not plant safe. Basically if you rid your tank of the Phosphate you can pretty much eliminate algae. Dr. Fosters and Smiths has some good resin products that last 6 months in the tank. Although it comes with a price. Don't run carbon for it contains phosphates. If you run canisters buy the media and bags. I believe 8 oz treats 120 gal. tank for 6 months.

[rich311k]

The coating over evrything is it slimey and does it come right of in sheet? Sounds like cyano to me.

[fishymommy]

A razor blade works well for really hard to get algae on the glass. Just be careful with it. As long as you keep it flat against your glass it won't scratch. We use it at work all the time for really nasty algae or coraline (saltwater algae) that gets on the front of our display tanks.

[Lady Hobbs]

BTW.....this thread is moved to the alage forum. Read Dave66's algae primer and you may learn how to remove the stuff.

[hockeyhead019]

just fyi i read the back of the no more algae tabs from jungle... it says NOT to use with a planted tank... i guess i just got lucky (blush)

[Pele]

I found out that I can get the slimy sheet algae off by shaking the plants with a net to dislodge it, then scooping it up.

[Wild Turkey]

It does sound like cyanobacteria. Its poisonous, not dangerously but its something to be aware of if its covering the tank. Wash your hands after and dont drink the water (lol)

You should look up pictures to confirm thats what it is before treating, but erythromycin works like a charm for treating it. It can also mess with the bacterial filter, I havent had this problem with it but a mini cycle is something to watch for when using it.