Green, hairy algae

[Ellen4God]

This stuff has started sprouting in small patches around my aquarium. Should I be working hard to get it out?

[genocidex]

hey ellen, glad too see you again XD. im not sire on that type of algea, but it might start over competing the plants for nutrients. do you have any algae chompers in the tank?

edit: thanks to LH's sticky it looks like blue green algea. heres what the article says about it:
"even though it's commonly called blue-green algae (BGA), it's not classified anymore as one. This "algae" is actually cyanobacteria, a form of life that has both animal and plant characteristics. It forms slimy, blue-green, sheets that will cover everything in a short time and give off a strong, characteristic scent. If left to over-run the tank, cyanobacteria may kill plants and even fish. It doesn't stick and can be easily removed manually, but will return quickly if the underlying water quality issue is not fixed. It can be treated with Erythromycin and other antibiotics, but this method should be done carefully since it might affect the nitrifying bacteria in the gravel and filter, and improper use of antibiotics always brings the risk of developing a more resistant strain. When the BGA gets killed by the algaecide it will start to rot and through that process it will reduce Oxygen levels in the tank. Since the nitrifying bacteria needs O2 to transfer ammonia/nitrites into nitrates the nitrifying process will slow down. If algaecide is used, make sure to test the ammonia/nitrite levels. Remove all the visible algae to prevent it from rotting in side the tank.

Some aquarists use the black-out method previously described, where black bags are wrapped around the tank for 4 days and held in complete darkness. It is advisable to raise NO3 levels to 10-20 ppm before starting the black-out period. Manually remove as much BGA as you can before the blackout, and dead matter after the blackout.Egeria densa (Elodea) and Ceratophyllum demersum are good plants to have in a tank, since these plants are known to secrete natural antibiotic substances that can help prevent BGA. Establishing lots of healthy, fast-growing plants from the day you start the tank, dosing the nitrate levels to maintain 10-20 ppm, and vacuuming the gravel to keep the tank free of decaying matter is the best way to prevent this "algae". BGA can be found in aquariums with very low nitrates because it can fix atmospheric nitrogen. BGA seems not to like high CO2 levels and stronger water currents.
Photo credit: Dusko Bojic "


thanks to LH for sticky and to the website for the info

[bignellm]

I think a sterile toothbrush would be a good choice for physical removal. This stuff really took on my broad leafed plants, by forming right on the leaves. Made me mad as a wet cat. I've heard SAE's and Shrimp will nibble on this stuff.

[Ellen4God]

Ah, thanks for doing the leg work! I didn't think about finding a sticky. Sorry! :)

I'm guessing it's because I haven't heavily vacuumed my gravel in awhile. I've been worried about vacuuming up too many tiny baby shrimp, so I haven't really vacuumed the gravel (other than the top surface) for several months. I'll work on that this weekend - just need to figure out how to save the babies!

Yes. I'm still creeping around the forum. I come and read here and there, but I've been so busy lately that i haven't been posting much. Obviously, I still have my 30g bow front even after clearing things out and selling. I wasn't able to sell off the plecos, so I decided to keep the tank up and running. I'm very glad I did. Anyhoo - I'm trying to be more active, time is just tight! I actually just got accepted into graduate school last week. I'll be getting my Master in Education in divergent learning (teaching kids on their level, in the manner they need to be taught basically). So more busy days to come, but I'm still here! Just quiet. :)


bignellm - I've noticed my shrimp nibbling some, but not much. Thanks for the tip!

[bignellm]

Your welcome. Hope it's not the BGA genocidex looked up. Sounds like that would be a major pain.

And good luck on the educational/professional plans. Hope it all works out for you.

[genocidex]

me either but thats my best guess based off those pics, gl with you masters XD.