Help ID algae...

[Justin Boucher]

Hello all,
I'm hoping that someone can help me ID an algae I have so that I can work on
a proper solution.

The algae is green and grows on just about everything except the live plant
leaves. It is difficult to scrape off the glass and I've also noticed that
when breifl exposed to air (via the water change process) it dies off
leaving a white residue on the glass.

I thought that it may be BGA however I believe that BGA doesn't like water
currents and my tank is running a Mag 1800 (6ft head) and using two Sea
Swirls to circulate the return water. The current is enough to be noticed
curling off the walls onto the gravel but still delicate enough to not
stress the fish. (I hope that makes sense.)

If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural predator I
would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of Malaysian
Trumpet Snails.

Thank you,
Justin

[Gill Passman]

"Justin Boucher" > wrote in message
news:vS2Ne.12394$Y55.7561@trnddc06...
> Hello all,
> I'm hoping that someone can help me ID an algae I have so that I can work
on
> a proper solution.
>
> The algae is green and grows on just about everything except the live
plant
> leaves. It is difficult to scrape off the glass and I've also noticed
that
> when breifl exposed to air (via the water change process) it dies off
> leaving a white residue on the glass.
>
> I thought that it may be BGA however I believe that BGA doesn't like water
> currents and my tank is running a Mag 1800 (6ft head) and using two Sea
> Swirls to circulate the return water. The current is enough to be noticed
> curling off the walls onto the gravel but still delicate enough to not
> stress the fish. (I hope that makes sense.)
>
> If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural predator I
> would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of Malaysian
> Trumpet Snails.
>
> Thank you,
> Justin
>
>
I get a similar type of algae - I've tried a variety of algae eaters but it
is more than they can cope with (they are very fat though - lol). The only
answer I've found that really works is lots of plants and lots of elbow
grease and just trying to keep on top of it.

In one of my tanks it started blanketting the substrate (not sure if this is
what you are describing) - again it was persistently removing it by hand
that did the trick...

Sorry if this is not more helpful

Gill

[Pete Stephenson]

In article <vS2Ne.12394$Y55.7561@trnddc06>,
"Justin Boucher" > wrote:

> If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural predator I
> would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of Malaysian
> Trumpet Snails.

I've had good luck with AlgaeFix, an algicide. It seems to work within a
few hours, significantly clearing out the tank of all waterborne algae.
Algae anchored on the glass or on tank ornaments dies off and is swept
away into the filter within a few days.

I dislike using chemicals, but a few months ago the algae was far too
much for even my 8", rather fat Pleco. Everything else failed, but this
cleared it up within three hours.

Perhaps use the AlgaeFix to get most of the algae, and then your Pleco
and snails can keep up with what's left? Maybe they just need something
to help them get a leg up on the algae?

--
Pete Stephenson
HeyPete.com

[Mean_Chlorine]

Thusly "Justin Boucher" > Spake Unto All:

>Hello all,
>I'm hoping that someone can help me ID an algae I have so that I can work on
>a proper solution.

Hard to tell from that description, but check if it's one of these:
http://mikes-machine.mine.nu/algae_gallery.htm

[Justin Boucher]

This is a great site! I've put it in my favorites.

Unfortunately, I could not find any images that match my "condition". I'll
take some pictures of it and see if I can post them in alt.binaries.aquaria
under the same subject heading as above.

Thanks,
Justin

"Mean_Chlorine" > wrote in message
...
> Thusly "Justin Boucher" > Spake Unto All:
>
> >Hello all,
> >I'm hoping that someone can help me ID an algae I have so that I can work
on
> >a proper solution.
>
> Hard to tell from that description, but check if it's one of these:
> http://mikes-machine.mine.nu/algae_gallery.htm
>

[Elaine T]

Pete Stephenson wrote:
> In article <vS2Ne.12394$Y55.7561@trnddc06>,
> "Justin Boucher" > wrote:
>
>
>>If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural predator I
>>would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of Malaysian
>>Trumpet Snails.
>
>
> I've had good luck with AlgaeFix, an algicide. It seems to work within a
> few hours, significantly clearing out the tank of all waterborne algae.
> Algae anchored on the glass or on tank ornaments dies off and is swept
> away into the filter within a few days.
>
> I dislike using chemicals, but a few months ago the algae was far too
> much for even my 8", rather fat Pleco. Everything else failed, but this
> cleared it up within three hours.
>
> Perhaps use the AlgaeFix to get most of the algae, and then your Pleco
> and snails can keep up with what's left? Maybe they just need something
> to help them get a leg up on the algae?
>
What did the AlgaeFix do to your plants?

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Pete Stephenson wrote:
> > In article <vS2Ne.12394$Y55.7561@trnddc06>,
> > "Justin Boucher" > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural predator I
> >>would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of Malaysian
> >>Trumpet Snails.
> >
> >
> > I've had good luck with AlgaeFix, an algicide. It seems to work within a
> > few hours, significantly clearing out the tank of all waterborne algae.
> > Algae anchored on the glass or on tank ornaments dies off and is swept
> > away into the filter within a few days.
> >
> > I dislike using chemicals, but a few months ago the algae was far too
> > much for even my 8", rather fat Pleco. Everything else failed, but this
> > cleared it up within three hours.
> >
> > Perhaps use the AlgaeFix to get most of the algae, and then your Pleco
> > and snails can keep up with what's left? Maybe they just need something
> > to help them get a leg up on the algae?
> >
> What did the AlgaeFix do to your plants?
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

My concern is what such products might do to the food supply for my algae
eaters - maybe being overly cautious....

Gill

[Pete Stephenson]

In article >,
Elaine T > wrote:

> What did the AlgaeFix do to your plants?

Nothing, they're plastic. :)

It says that it shouldn't cause harm to them, I think.

Always be sure to read the label...before it becomes illegible.

--
Pete Stephenson
HeyPete.com

[NetMax]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Pete Stephenson wrote:
>> > In article <vS2Ne.12394$Y55.7561@trnddc06>,
>> > "Justin Boucher" > wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >>If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural
>> >>predator I
>> >>would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of
>> >>Malaysian
>> >>Trumpet Snails.
>> >
>> >
>> > I've had good luck with AlgaeFix, an algicide. It seems to work
>> > within a
>> > few hours, significantly clearing out the tank of all waterborne
>> > algae.
>> > Algae anchored on the glass or on tank ornaments dies off and is
>> > swept
>> > away into the filter within a few days.
>> >
>> > I dislike using chemicals, but a few months ago the algae was far
>> > too
>> > much for even my 8", rather fat Pleco. Everything else failed, but
>> > this
>> > cleared it up within three hours.
>> >
>> > Perhaps use the AlgaeFix to get most of the algae, and then your
>> > Pleco
>> > and snails can keep up with what's left? Maybe they just need
>> > something
>> > to help them get a leg up on the algae?
>> >
>> What did the AlgaeFix do to your plants?
>>
>> --
>> Elaine T __
>> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
>> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>
> My concern is what such products might do to the food supply for my
> algae
> eaters - maybe being overly cautious....
>
> Gill


re: overly cautious - not, jmo.

The smaller the tank and the smaller the algae eaters (or any fish), the
more susceptible to harm they will be with any chemical adjustments.

It's not like these companies have lab technicians extensively testing
the side-effects of their products at different dosages, on different
fish, in various alkaline to acidic water conditions. By law, I doubt
they need to do a single test if there is no danger to humans. Fish are
a hobby and if too many hobbyists complain to the store that their fish
died after using the product, then the feedback to the manufacturer is
that the product is getting complains and/or its sales may have started
dropping. Then the manufacturer will generally lower the price (!),
change the packaging and/or tweak the recipe, and have another go-around.

This was not meant to be a cynical viewpoint (I've used lots of chemicals
successfully), - just an economic reality governed by the situation's
economics, the trade's values (who know that the average life expectancy
of any tropical fish is less than 6 months anyways) and the laws of the
land.

....stepping off soapbox which seemed to have appeared under me ;~)
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Elaine T]

NetMax wrote:
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
>
>>"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>Pete Stephenson wrote:
>>>
>>>>In article <vS2Ne.12394$Y55.7561@trnddc06>,
>>>> "Justin Boucher" > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural
>>>>>predator I
>>>>>would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of
>>>>>Malaysian
>>>>>Trumpet Snails.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I've had good luck with AlgaeFix, an algicide. It seems to work
>>>>within a
>>>>few hours, significantly clearing out the tank of all waterborne
>>>>algae.
>>>>Algae anchored on the glass or on tank ornaments dies off and is
>>>>swept
>>>>away into the filter within a few days.
>>>>
>>>>I dislike using chemicals, but a few months ago the algae was far
>>>>too
>>>>much for even my 8", rather fat Pleco. Everything else failed, but
>>>>this
>>>>cleared it up within three hours.
>>>>
>>>>Perhaps use the AlgaeFix to get most of the algae, and then your
>>>>Pleco
>>>>and snails can keep up with what's left? Maybe they just need
>>>>something
>>>>to help them get a leg up on the algae?
>>>>
>>>
>>>What did the AlgaeFix do to your plants?
>>>
>>>--
>>>Elaine T __
>>>http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
>>>rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>>
>>My concern is what such products might do to the food supply for my
>>algae
>>eaters - maybe being overly cautious....
>>
>>Gill
>
>
>
> re: overly cautious - not, jmo.
>
> The smaller the tank and the smaller the algae eaters (or any fish), the
> more susceptible to harm they will be with any chemical adjustments.
>
> It's not like these companies have lab technicians extensively testing
> the side-effects of their products at different dosages, on different
> fish, in various alkaline to acidic water conditions. By law, I doubt
> they need to do a single test if there is no danger to humans. Fish are
> a hobby and if too many hobbyists complain to the store that their fish
> died after using the product, then the feedback to the manufacturer is
> that the product is getting complains and/or its sales may have started
> dropping. Then the manufacturer will generally lower the price (!),
> change the packaging and/or tweak the recipe, and have another go-around.
>
> This was not meant to be a cynical viewpoint (I've used lots of chemicals
> successfully), - just an economic reality governed by the situation's
> economics, the trade's values (who know that the average life expectancy
> of any tropical fish is less than 6 months anyways) and the laws of the
> land.
>
> ...stepping off soapbox which seemed to have appeared under me ;~)

Fish are not the only victims of this mentality. There are no
regulations on products sold for birds, reptiles, and even cats and
dogs. It's common practice for useful medicines deemed too dangerous
for humans by the FDA to be sold to the veterinary marked to recoup some
of the R&D money. The bird and reptile aisles in a typical pet store
are every bit as dangerous and ridiculous as the fish aisle and
indigestible, dangerous dried rawhide chews still dominate the dog treat
market.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
m...
> NetMax wrote:
> > "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> > .. .
> >
> >>"Elaine T" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>
> >>>Pete Stephenson wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>In article <vS2Ne.12394$Y55.7561@trnddc06>,
> >>>> "Justin Boucher" > wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>If anyone can ID this Aglae and can also recommend a natural
> >>>>>predator I
> >>>>>would appreciate it. I currently have a Pleco and millions of
> >>>>>Malaysian
> >>>>>Trumpet Snails.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>I've had good luck with AlgaeFix, an algicide. It seems to work
> >>>>within a
> >>>>few hours, significantly clearing out the tank of all waterborne
> >>>>algae.
> >>>>Algae anchored on the glass or on tank ornaments dies off and is
> >>>>swept
> >>>>away into the filter within a few days.
> >>>>
> >>>>I dislike using chemicals, but a few months ago the algae was far
> >>>>too
> >>>>much for even my 8", rather fat Pleco. Everything else failed, but
> >>>>this
> >>>>cleared it up within three hours.
> >>>>
> >>>>Perhaps use the AlgaeFix to get most of the algae, and then your
> >>>>Pleco
> >>>>and snails can keep up with what's left? Maybe they just need
> >>>>something
> >>>>to help them get a leg up on the algae?
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>What did the AlgaeFix do to your plants?
> >>>
> >>>--
> >>>Elaine T __
> >>>http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> >>>rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
> >>
> >>My concern is what such products might do to the food supply for my
> >>algae
> >>eaters - maybe being overly cautious....
> >>
> >>Gill
> >
> >
> >
> > re: overly cautious - not, jmo.
> >
> > The smaller the tank and the smaller the algae eaters (or any fish), the
> > more susceptible to harm they will be with any chemical adjustments.
> >
> > It's not like these companies have lab technicians extensively testing
> > the side-effects of their products at different dosages, on different
> > fish, in various alkaline to acidic water conditions. By law, I doubt
> > they need to do a single test if there is no danger to humans. Fish are
> > a hobby and if too many hobbyists complain to the store that their fish
> > died after using the product, then the feedback to the manufacturer is
> > that the product is getting complains and/or its sales may have started
> > dropping. Then the manufacturer will generally lower the price (!),
> > change the packaging and/or tweak the recipe, and have another
go-around.
> >
> > This was not meant to be a cynical viewpoint (I've used lots of
chemicals
> > successfully), - just an economic reality governed by the situation's
> > economics, the trade's values (who know that the average life expectancy
> > of any tropical fish is less than 6 months anyways) and the laws of the
> > land.
> >
> > ...stepping off soapbox which seemed to have appeared under me ;~)
>
> Fish are not the only victims of this mentality. There are no
> regulations on products sold for birds, reptiles, and even cats and
> dogs. It's common practice for useful medicines deemed too dangerous
> for humans by the FDA to be sold to the veterinary marked to recoup some
> of the R&D money. The bird and reptile aisles in a typical pet store
> are every bit as dangerous and ridiculous as the fish aisle and
> indigestible, dangerous dried rawhide chews still dominate the dog treat
> market.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

I'm not sure whether this is entirely true in the UK. In some ways over here
dog and cat food has to be fit for human consumption. The drugs I think are
also highly regulated.

With respect to the rawhide chews....these play in an invaluable role in
reducing plaque - I don't give them to my current dog because he has a
delicate stomach (I don't even want to think about the clean ups and believe
me I've done a few) but then I pay in Vet bills to get the plaque removed.
My cat is congratulated on the fantastic state of his teeth - he gets
nothing other than standard tinned cat food, a few dry biscuit and the dry
dog food (dog isn't a great eater) - the difference is that he is a hunter
and it is the real raw hide that keeps his teeth clean....not too sure about
the rats, mice, grass snakes and birds on the doorstep though (yuk the joys
of being a cat owner) - I'm sure that they are not medically/food standard
approved unlike the rawhide chews which are sanatised.....

Back to the original post - I don't like adding chemicals unless I have to.
I've managed to get the algae under control naturally and my worry now is
that if I went any further I would be putting the food source of my algae
eaters at risk (I've yet to see my otos eat anything other than natural
food). I truly believe that the best way to counter algae is by natural
means and not chemicals - this means a good balance of plants, light, algae
eaters and elbow grease to get rid of some but not all of what remains
(afterall my algae eaters need to eat). From my experience from conversation
and what I read here and elsewhere everyone expects an easy way out -
chemicals can provide this for a while with potential cost....but I want to
achieve a balanced environment where I don't have to be adding chemicals to
change the environment or keep this or that irritant down (the exception
being infestations such as Ich or any other fish illness or water
conditioning/plant food). As with everything in life there is a quick fix to
all problems but not without a cost - if I added algae killing compounds my
otos would starve as they will not take any alternative food.

In terms of efficiency of algae eaters I think that some of the reports
given where SAE's clear the tank in minutes leads to unrealistic
expectations - they might clear a 5 gall tank in mins but a 200L tank takes
a bit longer (weeks rather than hours depending on the algae growth). People
are led by what they read and if the fish don't match up to the unrealistic
hopes set then disappointment sets in. The answer is a well balanced tank
with a good crew of cleaners each performing their own task and
supplementing whatever might be missing once they do their job - but
naturally IMO - again plants/lighting/elbow grease.

For an example, I had a plant in the Malawi tank....covered in a thick green
algae. The Mbunas kept uprooting it even though it had a great root system
on it. I got fed up of planting it and watching it float to the surface
(plus it wasn't a cheap plant). I took it out - washed it off - put it in
the Community tank (thinking this is so ugly now after all the work I've
been doing to put the tank right again) - within 30 mins the otos had
polished the leaves and it looks fantastic (also gave me a chance to count
how many otos I've got in there after the rout - only lost one have 6 left).

I guess what I'm trying to say is forget chemicals - why risk the health of
the fish. Research natural ways of dealing with the problem as this will
give a more sustainable solution....don't forget that algae eaters need
algae to survive so don't go over board.....and hopefully get a well
balanced tank where you don't have to add chemicals to keep it looking
pretty - oh yes before I forget - be prepared to develop your biceps
scraping....

Just my way of doing it

Gill