Algae Problem!!
- Thread starter DoN_WoN
- Start date
i dont have a problem with the money part but i think its too late to do anything about this moss, its like allllll in it. its like matted like a persons hair, and if i kill it it'll be a pain to get out. Its pretty bad, so you think its fine to do new moss?
NOW about the shrimp....should i put some water in a bucket and take the moss out, shake it in the tank, then shake it better in teh bucket to get any shrimp out??
whats the best method for that do you think?
I'd say get a bucket and shake it in there. You might not want the staghorn algae coming off the tanks.
New moss sounds good! You should look into other types if you're restarting.
New moss sounds good! You should look into other types if you're restarting.
I have Flame Moss and it's pretty cool looking. I also like Christmas Moss. It spreads out like Java Moss, and at the rate your growing your Java Moss, you will be able to sell off lots of it. 
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_algae.htm
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9
http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Algae-Common-Types/3/
http://www.guitarfish.org/algae
1) raise that light back up
2) add a floating plant
3) try excel or h2o2 if you'd like... an h2o2 dip outside the tank would be faster, easier and less risky.
4) check your nutrient levels... there's a list in the guitarfish link of where they should be
5) definitely check your ammonia
java moss falls prey to algae easily, especially if there's too much light.
you could consider an air stone for a little bump in co2. there is more in the atmosphere than in your water so it could help.
buying more moss is not necessary. you'll have the same plant that's incapable of doing it's job in the same setup you have now. then the new moss will have to acclimate to it's new environment. if you miss any algae or what the cause is you'll be back to square one with a plant that's not properly acclimated. it could make it worse. you could introduce something new to your tank to deal with also.
a floating plant will have the added benefit of being able to take co2 from the atmosphere where it is abundant and providing shade for your moss.
amano shrimp could help... just maybe.
if you do still decide to change out your moss take it out slowly. don't shake it anywhere, especially your tank. once it's in the bucket spread it out thin and let the shrimp have their space. once it's spread nicely they should just swim out as you slowly lift it.
good luck, that looks like a nasty mess in a cramped apartment.
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_algae.htm
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9
http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Algae-Common-Types/3/
http://www.guitarfish.org/algae
1) raise that light back up
2) add a floating plant
3) try excel or h2o2 if you'd like... an h2o2 dip outside the tank would be faster, easier and less risky.
4) check your nutrient levels... there's a list in the guitarfish link of where they should be
5) definitely check your ammonia
java moss falls prey to algae easily, especially if there's too much light.
you could consider an air stone for a little bump in co2. there is more in the atmosphere than in your water so it could help.
buying more moss is not necessary. you'll have the same plant that's incapable of doing it's job in the same setup you have now. then the new moss will have to acclimate to it's new environment. if you miss any algae or what the cause is you'll be back to square one with a plant that's not properly acclimated. it could make it worse. you could introduce something new to your tank to deal with also.
a floating plant will have the added benefit of being able to take co2 from the atmosphere where it is abundant and providing shade for your moss.
amano shrimp could help... just maybe.
if you do still decide to change out your moss take it out slowly. don't shake it anywhere, especially your tank. once it's in the bucket spread it out thin and let the shrimp have their space. once it's spread nicely they should just swim out as you slowly lift it.
good luck, that looks like a nasty mess in a cramped apartment.
im gonna do new moss anyways probably.. the java moss is wayyy to gone!! its matted so bad!!
what kind of floating plant do you recommend??? for a small tank like that?
any floater you like really. i float ambulia over my java currently and i like it. works well to drown out the light directly under the bulb. you can break the stem basically anywhere you want so keeping it small shouldn't be hard. it should grow like a weed with all that light just above it.
i am reluctant to call that staghorn... looks white to me.
did you do anything different lately besides light?
stir up the substrate maybe?
ammonia in check?
filter clean?
no mulm?
how are your other tanks doing? if they're ok it might just be the light. if your water can sustain vals java moss should be fine.
if you moved the light then the light is suspect obviously. did you overdo with water changes to make up for something else. if you're not dosing and overdo water changes your nitrate theoretically could reach 0 and cause an imbalance. if you keep doing them you could compound the problem by resetting it.
i am reluctant to call that staghorn... looks white to me.
did you do anything different lately besides light?
stir up the substrate maybe?
ammonia in check?
filter clean?
no mulm?
how are your other tanks doing? if they're ok it might just be the light. if your water can sustain vals java moss should be fine.
if you moved the light then the light is suspect obviously. did you overdo with water changes to make up for something else. if you're not dosing and overdo water changes your nitrate theoretically could reach 0 and cause an imbalance. if you keep doing them you could compound the problem by resetting it.
do you have any pics of ur tank? i need to find someone who has java moss or christmas moss with floating plants that i can buy
nope just lowered the light, did nothing with the wc's, still do then weekly,
didn't stir up the sand
ammonia is good
filters are always clean
whats mulm??
my other tanks are awsomeee, they are growing the sword soo good and only get a tiny amount of spot algae but thats normal and come off with a razor
mulm is the crud that can build up on top of the substrate. apparently you don't have it so not an issue.
i'd focus on raising that light. a surfacing plant will help too. it doesn't have to float, just be exposed to air and provide some shade.
i'd say that is your problem. irradication methods are up to you but getting the shade/lower intensity light is the long term probably.
i don't even think of scaping this tank. i haven't changed out the gravel either. it's like a bad tattoo. it's a reminder of prior mistakes. lol
here it is for you. should give you an idea what it looks like. keep in mind i keep about 10" of water in this tank usually and i let the plants grow in a bit. :evil_lol: also keep in mind i am no photographer nor do i have a giddy up camera.
ugly, but healthy and algae free.
i'd focus on raising that light. a surfacing plant will help too. it doesn't have to float, just be exposed to air and provide some shade.
i'd say that is your problem. irradication methods are up to you but getting the shade/lower intensity light is the long term probably.
i don't even think of scaping this tank. i haven't changed out the gravel either. it's like a bad tattoo. it's a reminder of prior mistakes. lol
here it is for you. should give you an idea what it looks like. keep in mind i keep about 10" of water in this tank usually and i let the plants grow in a bit. :evil_lol: also keep in mind i am no photographer nor do i have a giddy up camera.
ugly, but healthy and algae free.
