Anine
02-02-2012, 12:05
I've recently had a spectacular outbreak of algae in my 120l planted tank. from long black hair-like strands over most of my plants, short brownish/green scummy looking stuff on my driftwood. patches of green and brown on the glass and most of the equipment, and black slimey looking growths on my slow growing anubias.
my own fault. I've been lax with water changes, and I didnt bleach-bath some new plants I got from a LPS, which brought in the BBA.
started dosing excel daily (slightly overdosing, watched the fish carefully). did large twice weekly water changes, upped the circulation and oxygenation. but nothing. in fact, the algae seemed to be flourishing.
In desperation I stormed into petstop, hoping they'd have something small, bottom dwelling and herbivorous. came home with three little SAEs with the promise (threat?!) of coming to fetch somebody with a net if they chewed on my gouramis :)
now, about 2 weeks later the tank is 95% algae free and I can actually enjoy the fish again without going EEEEUUUWWW at the state of the tank. the SAEs are incredibly cute and its amazing to watch them graze on the algae.
one up for the lowly, hungry SAE! they're algae cleaning monsters!
my own fault. I've been lax with water changes, and I didnt bleach-bath some new plants I got from a LPS, which brought in the BBA.
started dosing excel daily (slightly overdosing, watched the fish carefully). did large twice weekly water changes, upped the circulation and oxygenation. but nothing. in fact, the algae seemed to be flourishing.
In desperation I stormed into petstop, hoping they'd have something small, bottom dwelling and herbivorous. came home with three little SAEs with the promise (threat?!) of coming to fetch somebody with a net if they chewed on my gouramis :)
now, about 2 weeks later the tank is 95% algae free and I can actually enjoy the fish again without going EEEEUUUWWW at the state of the tank. the SAEs are incredibly cute and its amazing to watch them graze on the algae.
one up for the lowly, hungry SAE! they're algae cleaning monsters!