Algae problem

Mission control, this is algae-buster-1 ...



AB1 - go ahead ... Mission Control we might need reinforcements ...



The evidence suggests that we are under heavy attack ...



AB1 - are you sure you can not reach all the problem areas.

...... aahhhh

Later Ferdie

 

Is that a snail covered in algae?

 

just call it mosnail ..

 

Ja it's mos a snail

 

I quite like the look of that snail... Reminds me of some wise old mystical creature from The Neverending Story...

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

 

So an update on the algae, problem is solved. I do have some duckweed growing, but that keeps the heat in. I run the LEDs for 3 hours in the morning, and 4 hours at night. Tank is thriving with new Endlars guppies fry, and plenty of shrimp.

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

 

Perhaps you were too early in your judgement of the cyanobacteria in your tank.
Could it possibly be that the earth is trying to repair the damage done over the last 150 years or so since the industrial revolution, when man started pumping out more poisonous gasses since the start of earth as we know it?
Perhaps the Martians have visited, and are experimenting in your tank, to see if cyanobacteria is feasible to terraform their planet into a new earth?

https://www.universetoday.com/139481/could-cyanobacteria-help-to-terraform-mars/

 

@f-fish is that a siamese algae eater?

 

yeah that is what the label says when you flip it on its back ... but might be counterfit .. always ensure they actually have not only the correct decal but correct behavior also.

Later Ferdie

 

if you're looking for a method other than an algae eating fish, you could try barley straw, I know my pet store sell it for ponds but it also solved my algae problem, you only need a small amount for these size aquariums. couldn't see if this was already brought up so apologies if I'm repeating what someone else has said

 

I have never heard of barley straw being used to combat algae.
Can you give us more information on what it does, and how it helps in combating algae?

 

The tank looks awesome now @Edward Lewis !!

 

After googling (is there even such a word?) I found that one of the products said to contain an extract of barley straw, is Microbe-Lift Special Blend.
Apart from being a water conditioner and introduces bacteria to the tank, it also helps contain and combat algae.
All very interesting, and way over my head with a lot of the descriptions as to why it does what it does.
As long as it works.

 

sorry for not getting back to you earlier, @Pezulu. Yes as it starts to break down it releases a chemical that combats the algae development. I used a little clump of it and stuck it in a little mesh bag not bigger than a thin stick of pritt glue (that's for my little 2 foot tank), the algae cleared within 2 - 3 weeks and all my fish were unharmed

 

granted it had been sitting in my pond for about 4 weeks before hand so it would probably take a bit longer

 

Hi there!
I had the exact same problem as you, but in addition a whitish/ transparent algae clung to all my plants, rocks etc. I did a lot of research, tested my water (it was 100% fine) but nothing I did seemed to help. Eventually I came to a conclusion that with my severity and type of algae, to completely empty the tank would be the best option. Now this is not recommended for those who use chemical products in their tank as it disturbs and ruins the delicate cycle created over time. I use organic products which allows for the water to be immediately fish-safe once added to the new water. So what i did was empty the entire tank, wash the substrate, rocks, plants, everything. I also found that by increasing the amount of movement in the water helped, this makes it a bit more difficult for the algae to attach itself to surfaces in order to grow. Ever since then, I have not had any problems!