How to rid this type of algae?

mduros

mduros

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Sep 20, 2005
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Chicago, Illinois
www.maryduros.com
Actually the tank is pretty good. I have some hair algae that I simply pull off, but I have this spotting of the front and sides of the tank. It's an acrylic tank and I have tried every gentle scrubber or scrub brush under the sun but these spots just won't go. My LFS doesn't really want to sell me something since they think that it's a light situation in my tank and I can't afford a retrofit right now. I'm looking into my options, but decided to see if anyone here has any suggestions. Snails won't do since my loaches will eat them, and I have not had any luck in keeping ottos alive for some reason, so I think my fishy solutions are out. Has anyone used Algone or anything with success?
Thanks,
Mary.

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Looks like green spot algae to me. It usually grows in higher light planted tanks and is relatively difficult to remove. In my glass tank, I just scrub it off or use a razor. For acrylic you probably will need to get a brush designed for acrylic tanks and some elbow grease.
 
I like zebra snails (neritina natalensis) for controlling algae. They pretty much eat any type of algae, and only algae (not plants.) From what I have read, fish, including loaches, aren't able to get through the shell to eat them. :)
 
I would avoid using chemicals to kill algae because it dies, then you have dead algae descomposing in your tank. Don't know much about that particular product Algone.

Every once in a while I see some green spot algae in one of my tanks. If you notice it whenever it first appears, it can be removed fairly easily. I use a new toothbrush- the really cheap plain ones. Obviously, this won't remove a whole bunch quickly, but it especially works well in the corners around the seals. (both my tanks are glass)
 
Green spot has to be removed by hand. No animal -- fish, snail, whatever -- will touch it.

It won't ever overtake your tank. Just give the glass a scrub with each water change and it will be fine.

Roan
 
I agree with the above. Phosphate is high out of my tap and is around 2ppm in my tanks. It's been months since I've scraped the glass. Keep in mind though that if adding PO4 to your tank, your other parameters (especially NO3) should be in check.

If the tank does not have plants I probably wouldn't go this route either.
 
reiverix said:
If the tank does not have plants I probably wouldn't go this route either.
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Agreed.

I just assumed Mary didn't have plants in that tank, which is why I didn't suggest PO4.

Any plants, Mary?

Roan
 
Roan Art said:
Agreed.

I just assumed Mary didn't have plants in that tank, which is why I didn't suggest PO4.

Any plants, Mary?

Roan
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Hi Roan,
Yes, I have plants. In fact, I have been communicating with someone off list about this and am giving my aquariums a little overhaul tomorrow. I am lining the back and sides with eco-complete, I use UGFs so wouldn't want to put it on the filter grid. I am also adding some white gravel to my current dark natural gravel. Our 55 gallon needs something, and I think that's it. I can't keep the plants in the gravel, the substrate is too course, and the loaches just love seeing their Mom replanting 50% of the plants every week. I want good solid rooting substrate, that's why the eco-complete. My set up is a low light setup so it's never going to be a plush tropical layout like some of you have, but I can improve on what I currently have.

As for the green spot algae, I bought a little acryllic safe scraper today. I'll see how that works out. You know, the algae doesn't really bother me, and the fish could care less, :) but photography is a hobby and I want to get some pictures of my beautiful fish that don't take me god knows how much time having to photoshop the spots out... ;)
Thanks,
Mary.
 
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