I think I have BGA

[250Gimp]

HI All

I need some help confirming that I have Blue Green Algae.

I am no expert, but from the reading I have done I think that is what I have.

Here is a pic of my tank:




Let me know what you think, and I would apreciate any tips for removal.

The tank has 2 live plants, driftwood, and is lit for about 9 hours a day (used to be 10, but I cut back). No Phosphates, 0 ammo, 0 nitrite, 5-10 nitrate.


Thanks

[Aeonflame]

You are correct. That is cyanobacteria.

[250Gimp]

Thanks Aeonflame

Any thoughts oon how to get did of it?

I read about Ultralife algae remover as a more natural way to get rid of BGA

I should mention I have some have shrimp I. The tank.

Cheers

[genocidex]

what type of light are you using? if the spectrum is too blue (ie higher numbers) then that could cause it. if BGA was not an issue before and is now then maybe its time to replace the bulb. you can try to black out the tank for a few days that could kill it off.

[250Gimp]

Thanks genocidex

The tank is fairly new, started in late October.

I don't know the light spectrum as it is led's from Eheim that came with the kit.

I got a bit of BGA when the tank was very new, but I thought I had it under control. It now is expanding.

Cheers

[genocidex]

ok what kit did you get that might help us. leds can be in loads of spectrums and its possible you got a 10000k led and thats causing bad algae....

[250Gimp]

I'm pretty sure it's an Eheim Aquastyle 16 liter kit.

I'm on the road right now

Thanks

[Cermet]

You should check your nitrate levels - BGA needs food and that or phosphates will tend to allow that stuff to grow well. BGA is not algae so I do not think an algae remover will have any effect; antibiotic will work.

[Cliff]

+1 to the above

BGA is actually a bacteria. You might want to try lowering your nitrate and phosphate levels first. If that doesn`t get you the results you need a good abtibiotic that will not effect your BB will certainly do the job for you

[Zander]

I've had a heck of a time dealing with this stuff personally, but I think I've finally figured the cause and solution to it. It is caused by high phosphates, at least it was in my tanks. Apparently it can be caused by other issues but I've never had any of those issues.

The high phosphates are caused by rotting food sitting in your tank somewhere. The key to removing the BGA is to figure out where this spot is and cleaning it. There are a few steps you can take:

1. Feed less. If you are feeding every day slow down to feeding once every other day. At least until you get this problem under control. Your fish will be fine eating 4 times a week. Also feed slower. Many people feed an appropriate amount of food but shove it in the tank all at once, and half ends up on the ground uneaten. If food is ending up on the ground uneaten then you are feeding too much or too fast. That alone might be the reason it is caused.

2. Make sure you are gravel vac-ing every inch of the tank on a regular basis. This can be the issue if you are only using the gravel vac once every month or two. If you do it every week then it probably isn't.

3. When do your water change rise off the filters with the water you've just removed. If you aren't doing this on a regular basis it will cause a buildup of gunk in your filter and that gunk will cause the BGA.

4. Another thing you can do is spot treat it with Hydrogen Peroxide. Turn off your filter, use a syringe, and spot treat the patches of green. Leave the filter off for about 30 minutes before you turn it back on. Don't use more than 1 ml of peroxide for every gallon your tank is, per day (20 gallon = no more than 20 ml per day). This will remove it, but it will not cure the underlying cause of it. It will come back. This method is not necessary to removing the cyanobacteria. I found once I got steps 1-3 under control the BGA went away on its own.