Beard & String Algae
- Thread starter White Beard
- Start date
You can always try killing your light and co2 for a day or two. Then try to lessen the amount of time your lights are on. That's what I do. Starve them out.
In my opinion, that is not a solution...it is another problem. What you did was put a bandaid over the problem instead of fixing the underlying reason for BBA and string algae. BBA could have been eventually eliminated by the introduction of more co2, like you said that you already did. String algae occurs (if my memory is correct) in high ammonia situations with excessive nutrients. so doing a blackout for 3 days could have helped, along with changing yoru fert dosing schedule and adjusting y our co2 for a few days.
The SAE may become aggressive as they age so you should monitor them.
Now...i dont want to be a buzz kill here...so, enjoy your new fish!!!
Thank you for your reply.
The Siamese Algae Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis) are not the "Chinese Algae Eaters" which become aggressive when they get larger.
The ammonia is not an issue in the tank, I test the water weekly and is steadily 0.0ppm. The issue is most likely over feeding. I am aware of the issue unfortunately those little hungry eyes get to me occassionally. The flake food is gone within 5 minutes with the exception that sink to the bottom where the Cory cats and Tigar Barbs go after.
I have reduced the lighting down from 8 hours to 7 hours.
"They should reduce the beard and string algae to a point where the plants will be able start using up more of those nutrients that the algae has been using."
The reason I stated "it is a solutions" is because there were no fish eating the beard or string algae. That is why I picked up some true Siamese Algae Eaters which are the only fish I have found in the local area that will eat the beard & string algae. I will give a post once I put the Siamese Algae Eaters in the main tank to let you know the out come of the beard & string algae.
An earlier post stated "using Excel to help reduce the algae". Do you have any information on this?
The Siamese Algae Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis) are not the "Chinese Algae Eaters" which become aggressive when they get larger.
The ammonia is not an issue in the tank, I test the water weekly and is steadily 0.0ppm. The issue is most likely over feeding. I am aware of the issue unfortunately those little hungry eyes get to me occassionally. The flake food is gone within 5 minutes with the exception that sink to the bottom where the Cory cats and Tigar Barbs go after.
I have reduced the lighting down from 8 hours to 7 hours.
"They should reduce the beard and string algae to a point where the plants will be able start using up more of those nutrients that the algae has been using."
The reason I stated "it is a solutions" is because there were no fish eating the beard or string algae. That is why I picked up some true Siamese Algae Eaters which are the only fish I have found in the local area that will eat the beard & string algae. I will give a post once I put the Siamese Algae Eaters in the main tank to let you know the out come of the beard & string algae.
An earlier post stated "using Excel to help reduce the algae". Do you have any information on this?
Thank you for your reply.
The height of the tank is about the same as the width.
The Siamese Algae Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis) are not the "Chinese Algae Eaters" which become aggressive when they get larger.
The height of the tank is about the same as the width.
The Siamese Algae Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis) are not the "Chinese Algae Eaters" which become aggressive when they get larger.
i highly doubt you have acquired crossecheilus siamensis. what you're looking for are chrossecheilus langei, if anything. search the site you'll see what i mean.
i agree, 5 is a bit much for that tank regardless of species.
if you got them at a lfs it's likely they were very hungry. maybe they were fed right, but it's doubtful until we know more about the store in general. that could be why they were so efficient at your cleanup. mine eat whatever they can get and graze in their spare time. however they don't eat primarily algae, they're more opportunists who are boisterous omnivores with a good appetite.
i agree, 5 is a bit much for that tank regardless of species.
if you got them at a lfs it's likely they were very hungry. maybe they were fed right, but it's doubtful until we know more about the store in general. that could be why they were so efficient at your cleanup. mine eat whatever they can get and graze in their spare time. however they don't eat primarily algae, they're more opportunists who are boisterous omnivores with a good appetite.
I agree that the SAEs will most likely be a temporary solution. When I first got my 2, they were about an inch long each, and did a fine job cleaning up what little algae I had. Now, almost 3 years later, they have grown to 6" each, and eat less and less algae. This has been an ongoing process: the bigger they get the less algae they eat. The only time they eat algae now is if I don't feed them for 3 or 4 days and there is nothing else available to eat. So while this seems a good temporary solution, you will eventually need to find the root (pardon the pun !) of the cause. Good luck.
the excel spot treatment is to fill a syringe to the amount that you would dose your whole tank. turn off all of the filtration and water movement so that the water is very calm, you may have to wait a few minutes. then lightly inject the excel over the algae to be treated. you know that it worked the next day because it will have turned red usually.
as far as ammonia it may have been something as simple as pulling some plants out and disturbing the substrate. you may have kicked up a little ammonia that was a very quick spike and then dropped down to nothing very quickly, just enough to cause an algae outbreak.
bba can be caused by something stupid like fluctuation co2. doing your water change can be enough to throw your co2 for a loop. i like to do my water change an hour before my lights come on. thats when the co2 level in your tank would be the lowest. and as soon as i'm done with my water change i turn the co2 back on and everything goes back to the way its supposed to be for when the lights are on.
as far as ammonia it may have been something as simple as pulling some plants out and disturbing the substrate. you may have kicked up a little ammonia that was a very quick spike and then dropped down to nothing very quickly, just enough to cause an algae outbreak.
bba can be caused by something stupid like fluctuation co2. doing your water change can be enough to throw your co2 for a loop. i like to do my water change an hour before my lights come on. thats when the co2 level in your tank would be the lowest. and as soon as i'm done with my water change i turn the co2 back on and everything goes back to the way its supposed to be for when the lights are on.
I purchased them at Aquatic Warehouse in San Diego, Ca and the tank had them labeled as crossecheilus siamensis. I confirmed with the individual who assisted me and he assured me that they were crossecheilus siamensis and not chinese algae eaters.
At the time I was not aware of the chrossecheilus langei which I now know have a dark spot under their belly. The ones I have do not have the dark spot at this time.
I only have them in my 10 gal quarantee tank until I have treated them with Nox-Ich. Which Saturday, July 3 was the third day of treatment. I will move them to my 54 gal tank Monday.:look:
Thank you for this information, I will give these ideas a try and see what the results are.:thm:
