oakes Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 hi my question relates to a tank that has been set up for several months. It contains juvenile tanganyikans and gets about 8 hrs flouro light per day since i have some plants in it. Until now algae growth has been heavy but controllable, and i don't mind the extra cleaning while the plants are in there. But lately there has been an outbreak of algae that is darker and slimier than the usual bright green algae, and seems to be spreading through the tank rapidly. It's covering the rockwork, substrate, and lower portions of the glass. Does anyone know what it is, what causes it or controls it? regards Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett4Perth Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Sounds like Blue-green algea. Not really an algea, more closely related to bacteria. Cheers Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 I had the same thing, only cure i found was to remove and scrub , bleach all the rocks, I also had heaps of fine 5mm long bits in the water aswell, could see em in the light. grew really quick,(ie 1cm /day!) usaully on the edges of the rocks, when attached it was hair like, yep it was a blue green, cyanobacteria, close relative of spirilina.... Tropheus and bristlenoses wouldnt touch it.... and it was out competing the good nice lawn of algae on the rocks that took for ever to grow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakes Posted September 14, 2004 Author Share Posted September 14, 2004 Hmm ok, thanks maybe it originated from the local water supply, i have heard that there has been some blue green algae in it lately due to the drought, but you would think chlorination would kill it. Anyway i guess i'll just have to keep scrubbing and cleaning. Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 how much direct sunlight does the tank get? what size is it and what filtration does it have? Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakes Posted September 14, 2004 Author Share Posted September 14, 2004 Josh the tank is 3'x14"x20", gets no direct sunlight but has 2x3' tubes. Filtered by a Fluval 304 canister so gets plenty of filtration. pH is 8-8.2, i use Aquasonic rift lake conditioner, substrate is shell grit. Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Hi Glenn Sounds cool. Sometimes if fish are over fed and the tank is under filtered, I have found that I get a burst of algae growth. Add a little direct sunlight into the mix and the algae grows at an amazing rate. Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakes Posted September 14, 2004 Author Share Posted September 14, 2004 thanks Josh but it's just the type of algae that worries me. It's fast growing, ugly and i'm not sure that it's non-toxic, although the fish seem fine. I'm going to have to chose whether to turn their world upside down by removing at least all the rocks and cleaning the tank or finding a quick fix. Maybe if i leave all the lights off for a time it will die? Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mangrove jack Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Hi, I had that growing in one of my tanks, too. I read somewhere that if you get the algae out as much as possible, decrease their feeding and decrease the light time, that it should go away. I did that, and it hasn't come back. Hope this helps. Mangrove Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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