Help me with green algae!
- Thread starter y2says
- Start date
broomer5
Active Member
Y2SAYS
Algae needs several things to grow as mentioned above.
The number one thing to check for is PHOSPHATES and NITRATES.
PHOSPHATES + NITRATES + LIGHT = ALGAE
Test for these 2 and post results.
If you have phosphates, you need to determine where they are coming from.
Within the tank they may be coming from either
1) Overfeeding = wastes = phosphates
2) Overstocked = wastes = phosphates
3) Decaying organic matter
4) Activated carbon may contain phosphate.
Or combination of all the above. Any organic matter that is added to the tank or is allowed to accumulate = wastes = phosphates.
Outside the tank - check your water source. If using tap water check if for phosphates as well.
Clean up crews do a good job removing existing alage. The challange is to figure out the phosphate source.
Brittle stars, hermit crabs, etc ... will help to remove any food that was not eaten, that settles to the bottom.
Phosphate pads - some claim they work well - others don't. If used they should be removed after 24 hours or so. Not a cure at all.
A tank with little to zero phosphate levels, and low nitrates provide no energy source for the algae. It will not grow.
Lighting can be reduced as well - but again this is not the root cause.
Test water for phosphates - algae will not grow at levels below 0.02 mg/l
Determine source and eliminate it
Reduce duration of lighting
Add a skimmer
Add a good clean up crew
Increase circulation
Siphon off detritus
Hope this helps and good luck !
Brian
Algae needs several things to grow as mentioned above.
The number one thing to check for is PHOSPHATES and NITRATES.
PHOSPHATES + NITRATES + LIGHT = ALGAE
Test for these 2 and post results.
If you have phosphates, you need to determine where they are coming from.
Within the tank they may be coming from either
1) Overfeeding = wastes = phosphates
2) Overstocked = wastes = phosphates
3) Decaying organic matter
4) Activated carbon may contain phosphate.
Or combination of all the above. Any organic matter that is added to the tank or is allowed to accumulate = wastes = phosphates.
Outside the tank - check your water source. If using tap water check if for phosphates as well.
Clean up crews do a good job removing existing alage. The challange is to figure out the phosphate source.
Brittle stars, hermit crabs, etc ... will help to remove any food that was not eaten, that settles to the bottom.
Phosphate pads - some claim they work well - others don't. If used they should be removed after 24 hours or so. Not a cure at all.
A tank with little to zero phosphate levels, and low nitrates provide no energy source for the algae. It will not grow.
Lighting can be reduced as well - but again this is not the root cause.
Test water for phosphates - algae will not grow at levels below 0.02 mg/l
Determine source and eliminate it
Reduce duration of lighting
Add a skimmer
Add a good clean up crew
Increase circulation
Siphon off detritus
Hope this helps and good luck !
Brian
D
diatom
Guest
Nice post Brian, I wish everyone who was having trouble with hair algae would read that.