Ick! Major algal bloom in my tank... - Page 2

kyryah · #11 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 03:54 PM

Okay. Now I am CONVINCED it is the light. I lifted the lid, and the tops of my Cabomba caroliniana plants (right under the light) are a virtual FIELD of algae... WAY worse than the glass. There is no algae at all on the substrate, rocks, or UNDER the plants where the light doesn't reach. What a pain in my....

Kristina

Chu'Wuti · #12 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 04:02 PM

Ack.

No, feeding every other day is definitely not overfeeding.

However, if the algae is growing on the Cabomba (I really hate Cabomba, myself--it shreds all over & clogs up the filters. yech) then we really need to get rid of the algae, as it'll kill the other plants. You can remove it by hand, esp. if it's the green threadlike algae, which are actually beneficial when not overgrown--means the water's clean & well-fertilized . . . say, did you use a plant fertilizer?

It still is possible that the water you're using has a high nitrate concentration, so measure that to see if it's contributing to the problem. You can get a buffer to bring it down if that's the problem.

Where I live, tap water is pretty bad, so I have to use a combination of tap water dechlorinated & distilled water to get good water.

Good luck!

froggsong · #13 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 04:07 PM

Try a blackout. It should kill the algae. At least 24 hrs, 48 would be better. Then get rid of the light the algae is growing under and see if the "plant" light does better (as far as the algae goes). Try doing a test on your water to see if there is anything out of balance. If you need more light than the plant bulb can offer, add another plant light.

froggsong · #14 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 04:09 PM

Oh, and btw... I already saw that Kyryah isn't afeard of the Admin... I thought I'd let it go... lol

You two better behave, or Mommy's gonna have to spank you...

kyryah · #15 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 04:39 PM

Let it go?!? The sole reason I put that there was to try to get a rise out of you, lol!

It is the green thread like algae. I like the cabomba for my guppy tank because it is so thick and thready, it helps provide additional cover for the babies. I actually have had good success, even with the ghost shrimp included. I use black gravel for the same reason, helps hide the little ones, and there is black river rock mixed in to help provide spaces for them to wiggle into.

The only place where the algae seems to be on the other plants is at the very top of the cabomba, right at the surface of the water.

I haven't used any fertilizer or enhancers, other than plain ole' Start Right and one to remove iron.

My mystery snail is at this moment balancing precariously amongst the top most fronds of the cabomba, munching away

I will pick up a test kit and find out what I am dealing with there. Thanks again for all the help!

Kristina

Chu'Wuti · #16 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

You two better behave, or Mommy's gonna have to spank you...

I'm going to give you the same answer my DH gives me: I AM behaving!

And nobody, but NOBODY spanks me nowadays . . . though you can do other things to me . . .

froggsong · #17 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 12:17 AM

I'd be careful what kind of offers you make, dear.

I might just take you up on it...

MTviver · #18 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 12:23 AM

You people are spilling filth into ALL the threads. Pretty soon this will be an 18+ site. lol

I would definately change the light.

Chu'Wuti · #19 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

You people are spilling filth into ALL the threads. Pretty soon this will be an 18+ site.

ooops. Sorry, didn't mean to offend your tender sensibilities, MTviver!

*sigh*

Guess I'd better "behave" at least a little differently over here on the "serious" side. C'm on, Froggsong, let's go back to play on the . . . ummmm . . . other side!

Waterkeeper · #20 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 11:17 AM

lighting:
as lights age(especially pc) the phosphors burn up and the color temperature changes. if your pc bulbs are over 9 months then they are due to be replaced. probably not your problem.

are you adding supplements for your plants? if so you are supplementing the algae too.

a tank that is just done cycling, i assume you mean the nitrogen cycle, is not really done cycling. there is still much of the eco system that needs to balance, in the same way that the nitrogen cycle did. there is an algae cycle that you are mostlikely going through.
it is really too early to be planted.
DON"T stir your substrate. get a HydroVac and clean out the gravel that way, it's more efficient and you don't have to stress out the fish, leave them in the tank. If you aren't pulling up nasty funk out of your substrate with the hydrovac then your source of food for the algae is either in the water, or in the sky(lighting). at that point there are also things measures to be taken.