Help with algae ID

[Waterfroggy]

I've been hunting around on the AC and online but I'm not sure what algae this is.

I have white aquarium rocks, so while the algae problem isn't too bad, it shows up really obviously and doesn't look so nice.

Can anyone positively ID this stuff so I can figure how to proceed?

Thanks in advance,
Froggy

[jeffs99dime]

That looks like regular green algae to me.

[Northerly]

Yeah regular green algae. I would suggest disturbing the substrate every week or so since you can't cut down on your light, due to the plants.

[Waterfroggy]

Thanks. I guess I was making it too hard, didn't know there is just a plain green algae!

I combined a treatment of 35% hydrogen peroxide (really hard to find in that strength) and salt and stirred it and let it bubble for a few days out side the tank and it took it off the tiny rocks.

I'm going to slowly treat all the rocks like that, rinse thoroughly and put them back.

Stirring up the substrate is a great idea, will do each week.

Thanks y'all.

Froggy.

[Cermet]

Check your phosphate levels in the tank - this is green algae food par-excellence and if these are high (over 1 ppm), nothing will stop the algae from regrowing; needless to say, other issues could be occuring instead but this is a big one that can lead to algae growth.

Don't forget to check nitrate levels (should be around 3 ppm for plants.) Too low will help algae and high will, too. I'd think your water changes could handle this issue but worth checking. Balance is what is critical for an aquarium with plants and fish.

[Cliff]

Instead of "stirring up" your substrate, which would most likely just make your water look dirty and release even more nutrients into the water which the algae can use, I would suggest a good gravel vac. It will remove the crud (a potential algae food source) and hopefully at least some of the algae as well.

Keeping your nitrates and phosphates as low as possible, and your lighting at the appropriate levels and length of time will help reduce your algae for you. If you want to get rid of the algae, that approach would work better in the long run as compared to cleaning your rocks. After all, a lack of cleaning your rocks did not cause the algae to grow in the first place.

[Northerly]

Instead of "stirring up" your substrate, which would most likely just make your water look dirty and release even more nutrients into the water which the algae can use, I would suggest a good gravel vac.

Yes by disturbing i meant vacuum it lol. Not just stir it up.

[fishguy125]

What's wrong with a little green algae? It's not like natural bodies of water are sparkly clean :P