Serious Problem!!!

[cdawson]

I need an immediate and efficient way to remove a bacteria bloom. I want a way that will not hurt my plants or the fish. I'm so sick of this algae bloom. I've got the micronutrients added now for my plants now I just need to remove the algae bloom itself.

Also will carbon in the filter carts. remove the micronutrients and ferts?

[elgecko]

1st you state bacteria bloom, then you say algae bloom. A bacteria bloom is a whitish cloud. A algae bloom is green. I've never had an algae bloom, but I did have a bacteria bloom. My tank cycled, I had plants in it and a very few fish. I decided to move some things around in the tank. The next day the water started turning white. It got very think, like someone poured milk in the tank. It lasted for about a week and a half. I could not tell if all my fish were still alive, it was so thick. Then 1 day it was crystal clear.
...So if it a bacteria bloom you will just have to be patient.

[cdawson]

DoH! I meant algae bloom!
guess I should have proof read. I've got some fine filter wool in my filter right now the girl at big al's said it would help. I was going to buy about 70 dollars worth of stuff and I was told to buy something that cost 6 bucks instead so I'm trying this first. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Cearbhaill]

Diatom filters come in real handy in times like these!

[djlen]

Please describe the algae bloom. Green water, thread algae, spot algae.......?
Also some details on your tank, size, water parameters, how much light, when did you set it up. Do you fertilize......what and how much?
Len

[cdawson]

I've got green water (aka pea soup), my water parameters are limited right now. I've got 6.5ph, 0 nitrates, 0 Ammonia, 0 nitrites. The tanks has been up for around 2 months (all the stuff was from a previous smaller tank that's been up around 3 years) and I've got about 120 watts on a 50g with one hagen CO2 generator(I know it's not enough, I'm working on getting a new one). I use about 8ml of tropica master grow every saturday (half dose). It was fine until about a week ago when the water started to get green and cloudy.

[djlen]

How many plants and what kinds? Do you do water changes?
What is your fish load? What kind of substrate?
I could just tell you what would clear it up, but the odds are it would re-occur. Let's try to figure out what the cause is.
Len

[cdawson]

I've got anubias (on driftwood), java moss, amazon swords, 1 pygmy sword, a long thin plant that looks kind of like hornwort and grows like mad, actual hornwort, hygros, a modified java fern(can't remember real name), and two other plants I don't know much about. One is tall and red and the other is short and kind of looks like a smaller anubias.
For fish 7 neons, 5 blue tetras, 5 red eye tetras, 5 rasboras, 1 farlowella, 1 SA puffer, 8 corys, 1 pleco that's soon to be removed.

[djlen]

Seems like we've been down this road just recently. As you were giving me info it was ringing a bell. But I'm older than dirt and sometimes need to be lead around by the hand.:)
Anyway, I would refer you back to the last thread I wrote on your other post about the algae issue. If you supply the N,P and K along with the traces and more CO2 the algae goes away.
I would read the sticky, get the necessary ferts and another CO2 system to go with the one you already have(pressurized would really make a difference in your tank), and then do a 50% water change, black out the tank for 2 days, uncover the tank and do another 50%er and recover completely for 2 more days. Then when you uncover the tank all or most of the algae should be gone. Do another big water change and start fertilizing, crank up the CO2 and the algae should not re-occur. As I said before, you have many of the elements in the tank for success IMO. You just need to balance it.
Len

[cdawson]

thanks so much len, I was hoping for a response from someone like you with alot of experience, greatly appreciated I will do so tommorrow.

[125gJoe]

Also, it's nice to keep that Vortex diatom filter ready for some 'water polishing'.... ;)

[cdawson]

After adding all the nessecary supplements yesterday I awoke this morning to find it almost cleared up completely.