Blue Green Algae

[Kevin151]

This stuff is annoying. Anyone ever successfully battle it without dosing with erythromycin?

 

[plantbrain]

Yep, well over 10 years of never using it.

Search blackout and KNO3 dosing and basic general maintenance.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[theotheragentm]

http://aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/

This website is a great resource for dealing with different types of algae. All types of algae are caused by an over abundance of light with unbalanced fertilizers. You may just need to cut back on lighting and feeding to reduce nutrients that algae thrives on, or if it's a planted tank, make sure there is a proper balance of nutrients for the plants. More complex plants will out compete the algae when there are enough nutrients.

 

[Kevin151]

The tank is not heavily planted but does have a good number of plants. I dose with flourish and only feed once a day. Ill cut back on the ammount of food.
Plantbrain: How long can plants handle the blackout treatment?

 

[plantbrain]

Generally ALL THAT YOU EVER NEED IS 3 DAYS.

Addign Excel and doing more water changes, trimming, cleaning filters, tank etc, + good dosing and really focusing on CO2 will address all algae issues, these things help plants better.

Algae is just a symptom of poor plant growth/health/conditions.

regards,
Tom Barr