Algae issue [pictures] and a random compatibility question.

S

SomniumFurvus

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Jun 15, 2005
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So I described in a previous thread this algae conundrum that has taken over my 15 gallon tank. There is sort of a bright green algae growing on the back wall, as well as nasty brown and stringy algae growing on my driftwood and on the plants. The only new thing that I did before noticing the algae was to introduce the driftwood into the tank. Someone mentioned that it might have come along on the driftwood, but I figured I'd post some pictures anyway, and see if anyone else has had this problem.

P1030738Resized.png

The complete aquarium.

P1030743Resized.png

A close-up of the stuff on the driftwood.

P1030750Resized.png

Close-up of what's growing on the plants. You might be able to see a bit of the bright green algae as well.


One more thing: I have two baby guppies in that 15 gallon, and a male betta. Once the babies mature and develop their finnage, will they be incompatible with the betta??

Thanks for your help, everyone!!
 
What is your tank parameters, I think the driftwood introduced some sort of chemical in the water that the algae is feeding on. Check out your nitirites and nitrates.
 
Nice case of beard algae
 
I doubt it's because of the driftwood. Algal "spores" are in all of out tanks all the time. They begin to grow when we allow conditions to favor them.

How old are your lights? As lights fade they quality of light they produce can sometimes become more congenial to algea growth than higher plants. I usually see increased algea at around 9 months.

How often are you doing water changes, and how much? If your doing less than 1/3 every other week then you are probably getting a build up of nitrates and phosphates. Your higher plants will generally outcompete the algea for available nutrients unless there is an excess. As algea begins to cover plant leaves it blocks light, slows down plant photosynthesis (plants use fewer nutrients hence more nutrients available for the algea). If this is the problem I suggest a good gravel vacuming accompanied by a large 75% water change (add new water slowly as to not stress the fish). Take this time to manually remove as much of the algea as possible. Also adding more plants will help.

Finally, do you have anything to eat the algea. No matter how hard we try there will always be some algea in the tank. I suggest a small school of otocinclus (3) for the brown and green algea, and either a single siamensis (siamese algea eater) or several algea eating shrimp for the hair and beard algea.

Summary
New lights
Larger more frequent water changes
More Plants
Biological Control

Its a never ending battle my friend
 
Whenever you have light, nutrients and water, something will grow. The bright green algae is controllable. If it is a glass tank just get a razor blade and scrape it. Without plants to overtake the algae, it will grow. Otherwise you area slave to frequent water changes. And getting plants to grow in gravel requires lots of work also. Regular and expensive fertilizers, CO2 injection etc.

Find the alternative in Diana Walstad's book "Ecology of The Planted Aquarium".
 
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