Algae in Substrate

tackful

AC Members
Mar 15, 2007
649
11
18
Sausalito, CA
My tank is 29 gal, heavily planted with DIY CO2 and daily liquid ferts, including Flourish Excel. There are 28 fish, mostly peaceful tetras and some rasboras, all active, especially the three new baby X-Rays, Water is PH 6.0, and ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate always at 0. The tank is 8 months old and never shows algae on the rocks, driftwood, or plants. I could probably go two weeks without scraping the glass before it would really be noticeable.
What I have noticed, however, is the very gradual development of what I take to be a dark green algae beneath the surface of the soil, and mostly at the end of the tank that is most heavily planted and therefore receives the least amount of light (55 watt AH Supply Kit, 10 hrs daily). It doesn't seem to be a problem, but I am very curious about it, especially since there doesn't seem to be algae anywhere else. Does anyone know what this might be, and what causes it? Thanks again. Tackful
 
No problem, I think the only way to get rid of cyanobacteria is to use erythromyacin as its a bacteria not a true algae.
 
I just got rid of mine without using bacteria killing meds in my 20 long Convict tank.

Do as good of a gravel vac as you can in that area and suck up as much of the cyno as possible. Do a large water change, I did 75% and add enough nitrates to get to at least 10 ppm. Then completely cover the tank,including filter, so no light at all enters the tank. Make sure whatever you use emits no light at all or this won't work.

Cover everything and let it sit for 3 or 4 days,no peeking either. After time is up do another scrape/vac and change out another 75% of the water and add back 10ppm of nitrates.

Cyno in FW is caused by lack of nitrates. Enough for the algae but not the plants.
 
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