View Full Version : Bit of an algae problem...I think
Howdy folks! I'm kinda new here...
Okay... need some advice with a 55g tank.
Tank is newly setup. It ran "dry" for a couple of weeks with three java ferns in it, and then I introduced a half-dozen danios and 5 rasboras to help cycle the tank. That was about 1.5 weeks ago.
However, for the first time EVER, I've got live plants. So I'm in new territory here.
First off, we planted the java ferns. We realized we didn't have enough light, so we went out and bought a new glass lid, and a triple-tube strip. I'd say we have about 2-2.5 watts/gallon. The light is on for about 9 hours a day.
We've since added a few more plants (not sure of their names)
Here's the problem. We HAD brown stuff (diatoms?) growning on the first-planted java ferns. But most of that seems to have disappeared in the week we've had the new lights. (There is still some growing on the back of the tank...grrr.)
However, we now have this grayish fuzzy/cottony looking stuff growing on the plants and a bit on the gravel as well. There are also a few spots of bright green on the gravel...
I *was* going to run out and get some ottos, but I thought I should come here first.
So, too much light? Too little? Water problem? The tank hasn't completed it's initial cycle yet...so I don't want to introduce anything that will artifically reduce the ammonia or nitrate levels.
Any thoughts?
Rocketman
07-27-2003, 6:52 PM
Definitly go with the Otos - they are great with the plants. I had 6 in a 60G and it wasn't enough.
It sounds like you aren't going to be putting in huge fish - Otos are small and they may become lunch, but it shouldn't be a problem with community fish.
You may also want to try some Mystery Snails. They don't do much, but if you like them anyway, all the more reason.
The only other place I've ever seen algae growing on gravel is on the tanks at my Pet Store. I just stir up the gravel every few days. Doesn't do anything but makes me feel better.
Try some Balas for that, maybe, and some Cories.
NJ Devils Fan
07-27-2003, 7:52 PM
Tony, check out this link on algae (http://members.tripod.com/njdevilsfan130/algae.htm). It should help you out.
Rocketman
07-27-2003, 8:37 PM
I forgot - I hear "Algae Away" is a great chemical treatment for Algae. You can find it in a light green box maybe 4 inches tall, 1inch wide.
Thanks for the advice guys!
I'm still not sure what the heck this stuff is. It isn't diatoms (which are growing on the back wall) and it doens't look like any algae I'm familiar with.
Someone on another board suggested it may be fungal in nature.
It's basically grayish and cottony/fuzzy looking. I just talked with my wife (who is at home) and she reports it's now on all the plants, and is starting to appear on the rocks.
Side note: I overstated my light wattage before. It's roughly 1.7 watts/gallon.
I'd rather not go with a chemical solution, unless there is no other alternative. Especially since it's a pretty new setup.
Any other thoughts on what this stuff might be?
NJ Devils Fan
07-28-2003, 7:16 PM
Can you take a picture, it sure would be a lot of help. Why do you say that it's not diatom? I really could be diatom though, because it out competes other algae in lower light for nutrients. It especially could be diatom because diatom will usually show up in newly set up tanks. You have two very good causes their for diatom.
Well, pretty sure it isn't diatoms. I've got brown diatom action going on on the back wall of the tank.
But the stuff on the plants, if I look closely, almost looks like a really fine hair. Fuzzy, y'know?
I'll see if I can borrow a digital camera from a friend of mine... :)
carpguy
07-29-2003, 4:17 AM
This is a great page for identifying algae (http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae.htm#brush). It sounds like it might be brush algae (http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae.htm#brush) (another good link here (http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html).
Chemical algae-killers don't address the root causes of algae. The stuff will just come right back unless you get a handle on light, CO2, and ferts… 1.7 isn't a tremendous amount of light, but you should wander around the Plant forum a bit.
This site has a bunch of good articles (http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/articles.htm). You should probably start with the one on setting up a new planted tank (http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_newtank.htm). It'll give you some insights into how cycling is different in a planted enviroment.
And welcome to AqC :D
Thanks for the links carpguy! Some great stuff there! :D
Well, I still haven't seen a reference photo that describes what is going on in my tank.
It doesn't look like brush algae (at least the stuff in the photos)... if anything, it resembles the beard algae, although it isn't bright green like that, and it's much shorter. I'd best get some photos if I can. :)
I've lowered the amount of food the fishies are getting, and I'm doing more frequent water changes, as the nitrites were a little high, and that might be a contributor to the problem. We'll see.
Meantime, I think I'd best add a GH and KH kit to my repetoire. Plus next week I think I'll get those otos, unless I can find some SAEs. :)
...and thanks for the welcome. :D
I would hold off on the ottos until that tank is done cycling. They are notoriously bad in newer tanks. They have a high mortality rate.
Okay..more data for my algae/fungus problem...
Ammonia: 0.0
Nitrites: 0.0
NitrAtes: 10.0 ppm
pH: 7.6
Could that nitrate figure be the problem? The high pH?
I've been adding some liquid plant food that a guy at the LFS recommended... Kent Freshwater Pro-Plant. Phosphate free, but it has Sodium Nitrate in it! Maybe I'm adding too much? (a couple of teaspoons twice a week... remember I have 9 live plants)
This tank hasn't cycled, unless it was a REALLY fast one, which I doubt. I don't understand why I have NO readings for ammonia or nitrite??
So, do I need to lower the nitrate level? Stop using this plant food?
Yesterdays water-change didn't seem to make any difference that I can see, but it was only about a 15% change.
Thoughts?
carpguy
07-30-2003, 5:42 PM
Get enough plants in there to sop up the excess nutrients and maybe look at CO2 or Excel. Some Hygro or Wisteria or other speedy stem plants will do the trick.
I'm going to add some additional plants tomorrow...thanks carpguy.
However, the algae has now grown enough that I think I can identify it. It does indeed appear to be algae...
It looks almost exactly like the "fur algae" listed on page 893 of Baensch's "Aquarium Atlas Vol 1". A form of green algae. (The only difference is that it's not quite as green as the photo) It does NOT really resemble brush/red algae, thank goodness. It does appear to be growing on everything though... grrrr.
So, the solution for green algae is less light and not so much food, right? Plus doing the regular water changes... (should I do another one tonight or tomorrow?)
I'm going away for the weekend on Friday night. Would it be advisable to take the light off the timer, and leave the tank "dark" for 2 days?