How do I KILL this stuff???????

sonewfish

Member
I want to know what type of algae this is and how to destroy it like its destroying my tank. Sorry for the fuzzy pics!


 

wax32

Active Member
I'm guessing you have green bubble looking things? If so it's called bubble algae. Search for it. Really terrible pic, I'm guessing from the light reflections. If so, emerald crabs sometimes eat it. I'd guess your phosphates are out of control, do you test it?
 

fishfreek

Active Member
To me, it really looks like red caynobacteria, with bubbles in it. Try syphoning it off the rocks best you can during water changes and add more water flow in the areas of your tank that are effected. If all fails, you can use a product used to rid Cayno (forgot the name). I used it a few years back, it worked very well as i recall.
 

sonewfish

Member
It is just air bubbles caught in it. I have a few power heads pointed at some of it and it just blows around like hair in the water. I thought it might be some kind of hair algae. I have put some stuff in the tank that is supposed to kill cyano. I hope that will do the trick. If you have any other thoughts please share them!
 

sonewfish

Member
I have not tested for phosphates. I should not have any. It has been at least 3 months since I have used anything other than RO or DI water. I also use phosban. What else can cause this?
 

sonewfish

Member
My nitrates are at 0ppm. i have turned off my MH and upped the temp to 82. maybe that will help? All this started while I was gone this weekend for the holiday. My timer broke and the MH stayed on for 3 days!
 

jamiehag

Member
Were you using the coralife dual timer for halides and atinics/moonlights? I had the same thing happen to me the lights came on but didn't go off with that timer about a week after I got it, still waiting for the replacement to come. Luckly I was at home at the time it happened they were only on for about a an extra hour.
 

sonewfish

Member
SAME PROBLEM! I have only had my coralife dual timer for about a week. I think I will write them. I am waiting on a replacement too!
 

tthemadd1

Active Member
If it is cyano turning your temp up might not be the best idea. I had it for months and finally got rid of it by doing a lot of work.
1. constantly clean it off.
2. added a fuge to get my CO2 down.
3. Turned off Actinics for about a month
4. used DI/RO water.
5. fed every other day, sometimes less to get phosphates down.
You should try to do natural changes to your tank to reduce nuisances like this.
Chemicals just add another layer of issues to your tank.
Good Luck,
themaddhatter
 

shoimen

Member
I would say you should shorten your lighting schedule for a few weeks as far as the strong lighting.
I assume there are fish in the tank? If not, i would make the lighted time VERY short.
 

tthemadd1

Active Member
Go with a tang, you will have to take it back later when you have the hair algae under control. Also get a ton of hermit crabs. I bought about 500 the other day and they have done a number on the hair algae in my 2nd 55gal tank.
 

shoreliner11

Active Member
Are you using RODI water? Whats your bioload in the tank? Filtration? All of these things IMO are the root of the cause of the algae. A longer lighting schedule may enhance this but the nutrients have to come from somewhere. When was the last time a water change was done?
Aaron
 

randy 13

Member
Be careful with that timer. It started a fire in my house and the fire investigator determined it was a faulty powerstrip with the majority of the burning taking place where the light was plugged in.
 

tthemadd1

Active Member
Thats sucks.... Makes me nervous. Had some water spill on a power strip once. It started steaming. Had to unplug everything for a few hours and get a new strip. Got a shock while doing it too. I made the mistake of using an old extension cord for a while that wasnt grounded. Pulled it and got a shock as well. Amazing I can still type with all of these shocks to my system.
 
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