What kind of algae is this?

[Spesh1969]

I have a very new 5 gallon set up. I was able to get some filter media from a friends cycled tank and things are looking good from a cycling perspective. I'm at 0 for ammonia and nitrite and 5ppm for nitrate. I did a small water change yesterday and will test again today.

I recently noticed this hairy algae on my java fern. What kind is it and what can I do to get rid of it? I have ghost shrimp in the tank but they don't seem to pay much attention to it. I've read that maybe I need more aeration in the tank. I get very little surface movement from the filter because I tend to keep the water levels high. Would a small airstone help? Wondering if the betta and the shrimp would be ok with the extra movement.

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[FreshyFresh]

Nice looking setup! Could be the start of some black beard algae. You could try reducing the lights on time. What other stock do you have in the tank besides the shrimp?

 

[Spesh1969]

I will try reducing the lights. They are on from 7:30am to around 8:30pm. I had plans of putting them on a timer so that should help. I also bought a single lunar light that I wanted to use for nighttime viewing.

Inside the tank is a single betta and 5 or 6 ghost shrimp. Is there anything I can do (besides adjusting the light) to make this stuff either go away or stop producing?

 

[FreshyFresh]

I'm thinking that 13hr light cycle is your problem. I personally don't keep them on any more than 8hrs/day. I use a variety of lamp timers to turn on/off my aquarium lights. In regards to your water movement question. I wouldn't change a thing. Looks great!

 

[Spesh1969]

Thank you so much. I'm going to give that a shot.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Good deal. I usually gear my tank lighting to go on around 1pm and off at 9pm.

 

[fishorama]

If just a few leaves have alga you can snip them off. The stuff in the moss looks like dead moss to me, unless I'm just not seeing it. The bit on your fake plant is moss too.

 

[dougall]

It looks like your have Fern is buried too deeply.

The algae looks to be black brush to Mee.. as noted, watch your photo period... Try up to 8 hours. Or 2x4 hours with 2 hours or so in between.. also watch your nitrates in the tank.. that can often be a big cause.

Might want to say what your water change schedule is like, how much and how often.

Thanks.

 

[Spesh1969]

I bought the java fern online and it was already attached to a piece of driftwood. It is not buried in the sand.

I like the idea of 4 hours on, 2 off and 4 hours on. I may try that.

 

[dougall]

Sorry.. looked like it was buried to my tired old eyes..

Should be fine then.