Toxic algae???

[Whodini]

Hi
Im about 1 1/2 years into keeping aquariums to start off

my problem is my eclipse 12 gallon (running about 1 year) developed green algae about 2 months ago, i reduced the light cycle, only have 2 danios in it, and I do a regular 10% water change weekly, none of this really helped. I tried algae eating fish all of wich died within 2 weeks (1 smallpleco, chinese algae eaters)....is my algae toxic??? any advice on fixing this?

sand substrate also

[Aphotic Phoenix]

What kind of algae is it? Is it soft and furry or slimey?

[jm1212]

what are your water parameters?

(BTW, chinese algea eaters dont really eat algea...they eat your fish and get huge)

[J double R]

what are your water parameters?

(BTW, chinese algea eaters dont really eat algea...they eat your fish and get huge)

this is not entirely true. they do in fact eat algae when younger, and they don't eat fish, per se.. just the slime coat, which consequently can kill the fish they prey on.

[severum mama]

Agreed, but CAEs are still not a good choice for a 12 gallon. They grow too large, stop eating algae with age as JRR mentioned, and also can become quite aggressive.

Is this algae blue-green, slimy, and smelly? If so, it's cyanobacteria, and it's a real pain to get rid of. Since it is bacterial, blackouts don't always work, even if you do repeated blackouts. I finally had to resort to treating with antibiotics to get rid of it, and experienced a mini-cycle as a result of the antibiotic. Also, I've heard that it can be toxic, but at the same time I've never seen a fish even try to eat it. It's nasty stuff.

I got cyano in a planted tank as a result of the nitrates bottoming out, but as I understand it, it can also be caused by poor water quality. Since you do weekly maintenance, I doubt if this is your problem. Is your tank planted?