Green Slime Algae - Please Help

golfproinlexky

golfproinlexky

Know just enough to be dangerous...
Dec 31, 2007
104
0
0
Kentucky
So I returned home last night to find a few small areas of what I am self diagnosing as green slime algae on my substrate and near the base of one of my Java ferns....

After reading on this site I see that low nitrates can be part of the cause? Please explain more. My water always tests with little or no nitrites or nitrates and I always thought that was a good thing?
:help:

Water Parameters
PH 7.2
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm
 
No nitrates is a good thing, except for that one small thing. It can contribute to BGA infestations. I'm not sure where it really comes from, if it is present in the tank, and when the nitrates are low, it attacks or what. I just know that when I had my outbreak, and began looking for causes and cures, I had 0 nitrates, and Maracyn killed it for me. Here is a page with some info on algae.

http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/
 
The BGA can make better use of a low nitrate environment than the plants can. You need to start adding nitrate to the tank. Your plants will grow better and out compete the slime. To get rid of it clean as much of it up as you can, do a water change. Black out the tank for 3-4 days. Do another water change and you should be slime free. Then start adding some ferts to keep it away.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom