View Full Version : 20 long update and algae question (lots of pics)
jbradt
12-01-2008, 12:25 AM
Hello all!
It's been a while since I've posted pics of my tanks, so here's some of the 20 long. Also a question. I've got quite an algae problem on my anubias. The biggest one is particularly affected. I can't tell what kind of algae it may be, and don't know what to do about it. Thanks for any help that you can offer!
First updated pics, then the pesky algae. Thanks for any feedback or comments!
Virtuoso2K12
12-01-2008, 12:29 AM
Very nice planted tank,and your harlequins seems happy and healthy.
fwiffo
12-01-2008, 1:07 AM
looks great! im not up on algae problems in aquariums so im sorry that i cant help you. the tank looks really nice though!!! enter it into the tank of the month contest!
Cory Keeper
12-01-2008, 9:40 AM
looks nice, may I ask what your using to light the tank?
Last time I tried anubias, I had the same problem, algae would cover the leaves. Don't know why its not doing it now though.
rich311k
12-01-2008, 9:58 AM
Lovely tank. Try shading the anubias, my older leaves get that way as well.
DAVIDFBT
12-01-2008, 10:08 AM
I had that on most of my Anubias plants one time. I got tired of seeing wether the otos or pleco would eat it, so after a month, I trimmed the leaves.
powerkit
12-01-2008, 10:14 AM
Wow, very nice job on that tank. Cute ram.
excuzzzeme
12-01-2008, 10:16 AM
Very nice! Hard to believe that is a 20. Looks like a much bigger tank! Nice shot of the Harlequin Rasboras! Also good shot of Ram; almost seems to be smiling.
Fordtrannyman
12-01-2008, 10:57 AM
Good looking Tank!:) Nice hair cut on the Chain Sword.
It's hard to tell exactly what that algae is from the pics.
Looks like there may be two types there. Can you get a better pic of just the algae?
Is there any other signs of algae anywhere else?
jbradt
12-01-2008, 11:36 AM
Thanks for the kind words everyone! Most of my friends think I'm crazy... it's nice to have peeps who appreciate it!
looks nice, may I ask what your using to light the tank?
Last time I tried anubias, I had the same problem, algae would cover the leaves. Don't know why its not doing it now though.
CK... I'm using a coralife fixture with 2 x 18w bulbs. One bulb is 10,000k, the other 7250k (i think).
Good looking Tank!:) Nice hair cut on the Chain Sword.
It's hard to tell exactly what that algae is from the pics.
Looks like there may be two types there. Can you get a better pic of just the algae?
Is there any other signs of algae anywhere else?
FTM... I'll try to get a better pic when I get home from campus. there is a little algae forming on the older leaves of the Wisteria, and a little hair algae on the crypts, but both of those are minimal. =) The chain sword was out of control! I gave it a big trim when I rescaped with the drift wood. It's shooting out runners like mad!
Thanks again everyone!
jpappy789
12-01-2008, 2:48 PM
Nicely done!
phanmc
12-01-2008, 5:13 PM
Staghorn and possibly BBA as well. Excel is effective against those algae. Are you adding CO2 and ferts?
jbradt
12-01-2008, 7:11 PM
Staghorn and possibly BBA as well. Excel is effective against those algae. Are you adding CO2 and ferts?
No CO2, I dose with excell 1-2x's per week, and occasionally dose with Flourish.
phanmc
12-01-2008, 7:23 PM
Dose Excel daily until the algae goes away. Add a DIY CO2 and dose Flourish 3x a week.
67chevelle
12-01-2008, 7:26 PM
Dose Excel daily until the algae goes away. Add a DIY CO2 and dose Flourish 3x a week.
:iagree:
jbradt
12-01-2008, 7:47 PM
Dose Excel daily until the algae goes away. Add a DIY CO2 and dose Flourish 3x a week.
I'll give it a try... might be a while on the DIY CO2, 'cause I have to do some research. I'll start the ferts right away though.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Jamie
jbradt
12-02-2008, 1:22 AM
ok... so I'm going to start dosing excel daily, and flourish 3x/week. Do I skip the excel on flourish days or is it okay to use both? Would a floating plant help to shade the anubias?
Also, here's some better pics of the algae. Thanks for the replies so far!
phanmc
12-02-2008, 5:09 AM
You can use Excel and Flourish on the same days.
You don't need to shade the plants, just improve the growing conditions and algae will become less of a problem.
noodles62
12-02-2008, 6:58 AM
Nice tank Jamie! Good luck w/ the algae..
Fordtrannyman
12-02-2008, 11:47 AM
I suspected two algae types.
IMO - There is a form of Red Algae (which is mostly called BBA) and some Fuzz Algae.
That Anubias is very salvageable with a rubbing, bleach dip. H202 method could work too.
Just so everyone knows. Seachem Flourish Excel only stays in a usable form for 24 hours.
jbradt
12-02-2008, 1:24 PM
I suspected two algae types.
IMO - There is a form of Red Algae (which is mostly called BBA) and some Fuzz Algae.
That Anubias is very salvageable with a rubbing, bleach dip. H202 method could work too.
Just so everyone knows. Seachem Flourish Excel only stays in a usable form for 24 hours.
Could you say more about this FTM? I'm not sure what you mean.
saram521
12-02-2008, 1:47 PM
Sorry to go off on a tangent, but nice peacock gudgeon! I've heard gudgeons can be somewhat aggressive towards other fish in community setups. How is it towards your other fish?
jbradt
12-02-2008, 1:52 PM
Sorry to go off on a tangent, but nice peacock gudgeon! I've heard gudgeons can be somewhat aggressive towards other fish in community setups. How is it towards your other fish?
She's been a great addition to the community. Most of the time she keeps to herself, but she also hangs with the rasboras sometimes. I've never noticed any aggression. From what I've read, it's mostly the males that get aggressive when defending their territory. Thanks for the compliment!
Fordtrannyman
12-02-2008, 2:51 PM
Could you say more about this FTM? I'm not sure what you mean.
Certainly, Bleach dip is what I would do. Remove Anubias, prepare 19/1 ratio bleach in a bowl. Also prepare a bowl of dechlorinated water. Hold leaf/leaves in the solution (not the roots or rhizome) for about one and one-half to two minutes. While submersed gently rub the affected leaf for about a minute. Dip and swoosh in de-chlore. Repeat for remaining leaves. I try not to leave bleach on it for more than four to five minutes. Then soak in de-chlore for a bit and swoosh a couple times. Re-plant and watch the fish peck at it for a few hours. LOL
H202 is Hydrogen Peroxide. Application for in tank treatment is same for Excel treatment. Turn off all circulation for five minutes or so. Use a syringe to apply directly to affected leaves. Leave circulation off for about another fifteen minutes. If you are successful the algae will start to turn pinkish or lighten in color. Sit back and watch the fish play:)
FTM
jbradt
12-02-2008, 4:40 PM
Ok... I just turned the filters back on after 15 minutes of peroxide applied directly to a couple of leaves of the anubias. So far there's no appreciable change, how long will it take before I can expect to see anything?
Fordtrannyman
12-02-2008, 4:54 PM
Usually an hour or two. Did you see any fizzing from the algae?
I know it's a PITA, but a bleach rub works better.
jbradt
12-02-2008, 4:58 PM
There was some fizzing from the algae. If this doesn't work I'm definitely going to try the bleach dip. I figured I'd try this first since I had the peroxide, and it seemed like the least invasive method. I'll give it some time and see what happens.
Thanks again!
phanmc
12-02-2008, 5:05 PM
Bleach treatment should be unnecessary if you do the daily dosage of Excel, after about a week you should notice the algae die back and be completely gone in a month.
Tank looks great Jamie! I hate to complicate the situation further, but you can also do an Excel dip vs. bleach dip. Both can be highly effective (especially the bleach dip).
jbradt
12-02-2008, 6:09 PM
Tank looks great Jamie! I hate to complicate the situation further, but you can also do an Excel dip vs. bleach dip. Both can be highly effective (especially the bleach dip).
Thanks! Would I mix the excel with water, or just use it straight from the bottle?
saram521
12-02-2008, 6:15 PM
I'm pretty sure you wouldn't dilute Excel and just use it straight. You probably wouldn't need to use very much though.
rich311k
12-02-2008, 6:28 PM
Dose it straight from the bottle. You can squirt it directly on the algae with a medicine dropper. be sure not to add much more than the directions call for.
jbradt
12-02-2008, 9:10 PM
Okay, so after a few hours, still no change really with the algae. I think from here, I'm going to give the excel and flourish dosing a chance and see how that goes. If that doesn't show some progress I'll try the excel treatment. Then bleach... hehe, sounds like a plan.
Thanks for the help, suggestions and kind comments all!
jamie