Alge

[Justice]

Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about
3" and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted
.. eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know
the conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal
after X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have
been drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to
notice errors(good thing not progaming).

[LaieTechie]

On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 03:22:39 +0000, Justice wrote:

> Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
> and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
> Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
> about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
> developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
> and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
> on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
> eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
> conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
> X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
> drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
> errors(good thing not progaming).

Otos are South American algae eaters that only grow to a couple inches.
In my divided 10 gallon tank I have 1 male betta, 2 green cobra guppies,
and 1 oto.

HTH,
Laie Techie

[LaieTechie]

On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 03:22:39 +0000, Justice wrote:

> Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
> and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
> Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
> about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
> developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
> and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
> on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
> eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
> conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
> X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
> drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
> errors(good thing not progaming).

Otos are South American algae eaters that only grow to a couple inches.
In my divided 10 gallon tank I have 1 male betta, 2 green cobra guppies,
and 1 oto.

HTH,
Laie Techie

[§tudz]

"Justice" > wrote in message
news:3QPif.179163$Io.107821@clgrps13...
> Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
> and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
> Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
> about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
> developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
> and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
> on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
> eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
> conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
> X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
> drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
> errors(good thing not progaming).


Hi,

I know the felling, drinking computers doesn't work too well

You should try maybe otocinclus sp.
they are small and in small groups can work very well, but bare in mind, not
all 'algae' eaters eat all algae
you could use a chemical formulae but this may harm your plants, or if you
know someone who has sucking loach (chinese algae eaters) they will clean
most small algae's when young, you could borrow one :)

but it is better to treat the problem than the affects, more water changes,
reduce nitrates, or phosphates etc

§tudz

[Dick]

On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 03:22:39 GMT, Justice
> wrote:

>Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about
>3" and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
>Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
>about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
>developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
>and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
>on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted
>. eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know
>the conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal
>after X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have
>been drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to
>notice errors(good thing not progaming).

There are many kinds of algae. Describe what kind of algae you want
to get rid of.

dick

[Justice]

Dick wrote:
> On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 03:22:39 GMT, Justice
> > wrote:
>
>
>>Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about
>>3" and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
>>Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
>>about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
>>developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
>>and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
>>on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted
>>. eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know
>>the conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal
>>after X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have
>>been drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to
>>notice errors(good thing not progaming).
>
>
> There are many kinds of algae. Describe what kind of algae you want
> to get rid of.
>
> dick

It is the dark green kind, It's on my clay pots and gravel, and now
starting on my tank, winter sun hits it in the morning. My nitrates are
pretty much nill. The groth on the tank is only where the sun hits. I
know I could use chemicals but that is something I will never do. There
is always a natural cure IMO. I like the otto but they seem to be a
group fish and I don't have room for another school.

Thanks for your sugestions

[§tudz]

>
> It is the dark green kind, It's on my clay pots and gravel, and now
> starting on my tank, winter sun hits it in the morning. My nitrates are
> pretty much nill. The groth on the tank is only where the sun hits. I know
> I could use chemicals but that is something I will never do. There is
> always a natural cure IMO. I like the otto but they seem to be a group
> fish and I don't have room for another school.
>
> Thanks for your sugestions

Ok, just try to stop the light hitting the tank.

[Gail Futoran]

"Justice" > wrote in message
news:3QPif.179163$Io.107821@clgrps13...
> Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
> and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
> Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
> about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
> developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
> and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
> on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
> eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
> conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
> X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
> drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
> errors(good thing not progaming).

Your heavily planted tank(s) should take care of
most algae, and as others have noted, otocinclus
remain small and do a good job on the kinds of
algae you're likely to get with a planted tank.

My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
because I overfeed a bit, but the sides of the
tank are absolutely clean. I have otos in all tanks.

I suspect if you want to get rid of *all* algae you
are asking for an almost impossible task.

You might also wait until you've established your
new (larger) tank and see how things go.

Gail

[Dick]

On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 04:30:21 -0600, Dick >
wrote:

>On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 03:22:39 GMT, Justice
> wrote:
>
>>Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about
>>3" and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
>>Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
>>about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
>>developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
>>and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
>>on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted
>>. eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know
>>the conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal
>>after X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have
>>been drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to
>>notice errors(good thing not progaming).
>
>There are many kinds of algae. Describe what kind of algae you want
>to get rid of.
>
>dick

I can't help, I have a 10 gallon tank with a similar dark green algae
on the leaves of an anubia as well as coating a ceramic piece. I have
started keeping the drapes in the room closed, but I now miss the
souther sun. I do scrub the ceramic ornament with bleach, but it is
only good for a few weeks.

The light spectrum from the flourescent is heavy on the blue end. Is
your light low light and blue?

dick

[Gill Passman]

Dick wrote:
> On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 04:30:21 -0600, Dick >
> wrote:
>
>
>>On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 03:22:39 GMT, Justice
> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about
>>>3" and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
>>>Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
>>>about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
>>>developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
>>>and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
>>>on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted
>>>. eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know
>>>the conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal
>>>after X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have
>>>been drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to
>>>notice errors(good thing not progaming).
>>
>>There are many kinds of algae. Describe what kind of algae you want
>>to get rid of.
>>
>>dick
>
>
> I can't help, I have a 10 gallon tank with a similar dark green algae
> on the leaves of an anubia as well as coating a ceramic piece. I have
> started keeping the drapes in the room closed, but I now miss the
> souther sun. I do scrub the ceramic ornament with bleach, but it is
> only good for a few weeks.
>
> The light spectrum from the flourescent is heavy on the blue end. Is
> your light low light and blue?
>
> dick

I have the same in my Malawi tank - also tends to stick to anubia...I
scoop it out with my hands - quite easy to do - when it gets too much
for me...the anubia's I put in the main community tank for the otos to
clean up - they never get back to the Malawi tank though because I'm
worried about cross infecting the Malawis - why not the other way round
you may ask (and quite rightly) - the Malawis have been here over a year
with no additions other than those that they add themselves - the only
deaths are murders...plants are disinfected before they go in...I don't
put back anything from the Community tank elsewhere as the population
has been more transient and the risk of infection greater....

I'd go with three otos myself under your conditions....but that's just
what I would do....

Gill

[Tynk]

Gail Futoran wrote:
> "Justice" > wrote in message
> news:3QPif.179163$Io.107821@clgrps13...
> > Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
> > and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
> > Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
> > about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
> > developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
> > and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
> > on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
> > eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
> > conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
> > X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
> > drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
> > errors(good thing not progaming).
>
> Your heavily planted tank(s) should take care of
> most algae, and as others have noted, otocinclus
> remain small and do a good job on the kinds of
> algae you're likely to get with a planted tank.
>
> My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
> that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
> because I overfeed a bit, but the sides of the
> tank are absolutely clean. I have otos in all tanks.
>
> I suspect if you want to get rid of *all* algae you
> are asking for an almost impossible task.
>
> You might also wait until you've established your
> new (larger) tank and see how things go.
>
> Gail
> My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
> that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
> because I overfeed a bit
Gail, are you sure it is an algae and not Cyanobacteria..aka Bluegreen
aglae?

[Justice]

Tynk wrote:
> Gail Futoran wrote:
>
>>"Justice" > wrote in message
>>news:3QPif.179163$Io.107821@clgrps13...
>>
>>>Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
>>>and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
>>>Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
>>>about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
>>>developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
>>>and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
>>>on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
>>>eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
>>>conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
>>>X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
>>>drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
>>>errors(good thing not progaming).
>>
>>Your heavily planted tank(s) should take care of
>>most algae, and as others have noted, otocinclus
>>remain small and do a good job on the kinds of
>>algae you're likely to get with a planted tank.
>>
>>My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
>>that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
>>because I overfeed a bit, but the sides of the
>>tank are absolutely clean. I have otos in all tanks.
>>
>>I suspect if you want to get rid of *all* algae you
>>are asking for an almost impossible task.
>>
>>You might also wait until you've established your
>>new (larger) tank and see how things go.
>>
>>Gail
>>My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
>>that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
>>because I overfeed a bit
>
> Gail, are you sure it is an algae and not Cyanobacteria..aka Bluegreen
> aglae?
>

How can you tell, What I have is a dark green substiance on my flower
pot and gravel, an am now noticeing it in sun spots. On the pot it looks
flat like someone painted it almost.

[§tudz]

"Justice" > wrote in message
news:ETljf.135223$S4.34910@edtnps84...
> Tynk wrote:
>
> How can you tell, What I have is a dark green substiance on my flower pot
> and gravel, an am now noticeing it in sun spots. On the pot it looks flat
> like someone painted it almost.

I had this type of dark green algae on one of my amazon swords, it also
started to appear on the rocks in the tank,
The oto's when first added did a slight effot to clean it, but then went on
to feed on the easier softer algae that was occuring in the tank,

I recently bought a siemese algae eater, it has done a great job, only prob
is, it will grow big and very aggressive, so I wil have to rehome it when
the time comes.

§tudz

[Dick]

On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 23:34:56 -0000, "§tudz" >
wrote:

>
>"Justice" > wrote in message
>news:ETljf.135223$S4.34910@edtnps84...
>> Tynk wrote:
>>
>> How can you tell, What I have is a dark green substiance on my flower pot
>> and gravel, an am now noticeing it in sun spots. On the pot it looks flat
>> like someone painted it almost.
>
>I had this type of dark green algae on one of my amazon swords, it also
>started to appear on the rocks in the tank,
>The oto's when first added did a slight effot to clean it, but then went on
>to feed on the easier softer algae that was occuring in the tank,
>
>I recently bought a siemese algae eater, it has done a great job, only prob
>is, it will grow big and very aggressive, so I wil have to rehome it when
>the time comes.
>
>§tudz
>
Studz,

You may not have to worry about your Siamese Algae Eater. I have 11
spread over 3 tanks. I have had them ove 2 1/2 years and none are
over 5 inches. I have seen no growth in the last year. They swim
aggresively, but I have never seen any SAE attack any other fish.

I understand their are pseudo SAEs that are aggressive, but not the
true SAE. One of the tanks is 10 gallons with one SAE. It gets along
fine, it is especially chummy with the 2 Clown Loaches often swimming
along side with one of them.

dick

[Tynk]

Justice wrote:
> Tynk wrote:
> > Gail Futoran wrote:
> >
> >>"Justice" > wrote in message
> >>news:3QPif.179163$Io.107821@clgrps13...
> >>
> >>>Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
> >>>and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
> >>>Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
> >>>about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
> >>>developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
> >>>and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
> >>>on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
> >>>eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
> >>>conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
> >>>X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
> >>>drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
> >>>errors(good thing not progaming).
> >>
> >>Your heavily planted tank(s) should take care of
> >>most algae, and as others have noted, otocinclus
> >>remain small and do a good job on the kinds of
> >>algae you're likely to get with a planted tank.
> >>
> >>My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
> >>that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
> >>because I overfeed a bit, but the sides of the
> >>tank are absolutely clean. I have otos in all tanks.
> >>
> >>I suspect if you want to get rid of *all* algae you
> >>are asking for an almost impossible task.
> >>
> >>You might also wait until you've established your
> >>new (larger) tank and see how things go.
> >>
> >>Gail
> >>My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
> >>that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
> >>because I overfeed a bit
> >
> > Gail, are you sure it is an algae and not Cyanobacteria..aka Bluegreen
> > aglae?
> >
>
> How can you tell, What I have is a dark green substiance on my flower
> pot and gravel, an am now noticeing it in sun spots. On the pot it looks
> flat like someone painted it almost.

, are you sure it is an algae and not Cyanobacteria..aka Bluegreen
> > aglae?
> >
>
> How can you tell,
http://faq.thekrib.com/algae.html
Check the info on this page.
It lists Cyano (bluegreen algae), and other types aas well. Don't
remember if it has picks or not.
I introduced it into my tanks yrs back on a potted plant. I though, at
the time, it was some sort of moss type stuff and left it. = O
Ah!!!
I had to hit the tank with Erythromicin, which kills the bacteria.
Years later our town (city well water which means out town has several
deep and shallow wells it draws water from), and needed to repair a
major well from one part of town. This meant they needed to close off
that main well and get the rest from a well they hardly use.
After that I started getting cyanobacteria in all my tanks all the
time.
I keep it under control by doing weekly water changes (pristine water
is very important in controlling it) and physically cleaning it off
surfaces and plants, etc.
Being that I have a constant source of it now, there is no use in
hitting it with Erythromicin. Can't do that. So I deal with it.
The smaller tanks get bleached once a month and then I use BioSpira to
add nitrifying bacteria to these tanks. (only product that has the
correct type of bacteria to jump start the "good" bacteria you need).
If it turns out to be Cyanobacteria in your tank, and you don't have a
constant source like I do, just hit the tank (fish and all) with
Erythro to kill it.
One last thing...most info on it will say it's blueish green in color.
Not always. Sometimes it's a darker green, or a lighter green with a
blueish tint, or sometimes there is no blueish to it. Also the light
source plays a part it that too. Your bulb may be different from
another persons, or you may have sunlight hitting the tank which really
brings out the blue in this alien slime from hell.
If left alone, it'll take over your entire tank in no time. It blankets
everything...and fast too.
There are no fish that eat this stuff, as it's not actually algae.
A trick to tell whether it's "green slime" algae or Bluegreen algae is
to take your hand and swoosh the water near it. If it comes off and
floats in the current in a sheet like chunk, it's Cyano.

[§tudz]

> Studz,
>
> You may not have to worry about your Siamese Algae Eater. I have 11
> spread over 3 tanks. I have had them ove 2 1/2 years and none are
> over 5 inches. I have seen no growth in the last year. They swim
> aggresively, but I have never seen any SAE attack any other fish.
>
> I understand their are pseudo SAEs that are aggressive, but not the
> true SAE. One of the tanks is 10 gallons with one SAE. It gets along
> fine, it is especially chummy with the 2 Clown Loaches often swimming
> along side with one of them.
>
> dick
>

Sorry to de-rail this thread even more, even if the tracks run parrell,

I hope my SAE is a nice one :) as I've had problems with overly, out of the
norm agressive fish, I had to rehome a krib a few months back as he was
becoming a pain.

and for the SAE how swims with CLs I have a single Tiger in a tank with CLs,
and when the lights go out and the CLs come out, I think the TB thinks it a
CL. lol

I did have two in a the tank, I mean Tiger Barbs, a male albino and a female
normal. but once they both reached aldulthood they started to become
agressive towards each other.

I'd had no problems with them before that, they now live in seperate tanks,
and they are both doing fine. lol, even if the Albino does get freaked out
at night, in the dark, by one of the 4 Dwarf African frogs that reside in
his tank :)

§tudz

[Justice]

Tynk wrote:
> Justice wrote:
>
>>Tynk wrote:
>>
>>>Gail Futoran wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>"Justice" > wrote in message
>>>>news:3QPif.179163$Io.107821@clgrps13...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Ok, fist off this is what I have; Tank 1 10 gal with 2 CL loaches about 3"
>>>>>and 3 glowlight tetras fullsized about 1.75". Tank # 2 10 gal with 1
>>>>>Banded Rainbow about 4", 1 zebra diano about 1.75" and 3 yoyo loaches
>>>>>about 1.5-1.75". My question is I need a fish to eat the alge that is
>>>>>developing in both tanks. They are planted so alge groth is small 3 mo.
>>>>>and I now just notice it on the tank. I want a small fish that dose well
>>>>>on its own that would fit in eather tank, both of witch is well planted .
>>>>>eathe r a fish that I can transfer between tanks or 1 in each. I know the
>>>>>conditions are small but I will be getting at least anther 20-30 gal after
>>>>>X-mas. and sorry for spelling and gramer or just content, I have been
>>>>>drinking slightly. Type faster than thinking and to ignorent to notice
>>>>>errors(good thing not progaming).
>>>>
>>>>Your heavily planted tank(s) should take care of
>>>>most algae, and as others have noted, otocinclus
>>>>remain small and do a good job on the kinds of
>>>>algae you're likely to get with a planted tank.
>>>>
>>>>My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
>>>>that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
>>>>because I overfeed a bit, but the sides of the
>>>>tank are absolutely clean. I have otos in all tanks.
>>>>
>>>>I suspect if you want to get rid of *all* algae you
>>>>are asking for an almost impossible task.
>>>>
>>>>You might also wait until you've established your
>>>>new (larger) tank and see how things go.
>>>>
>>>>Gail
>>>>My planted tanks get a green blanket type algae
>>>>that I can easily pick out. It occurs probably
>>>>because I overfeed a bit
>>>
>>>Gail, are you sure it is an algae and not Cyanobacteria..aka Bluegreen
>>>aglae?
>>>
>>
>>How can you tell, What I have is a dark green substiance on my flower
>>pot and gravel, an am now noticeing it in sun spots. On the pot it looks
>>flat like someone painted it almost.
>
>
> , are you sure it is an algae and not Cyanobacteria..aka Bluegreen
>
>>>aglae?
>>>
>>
>>How can you tell,
>
> http://faq.thekrib.com/algae.html
> Check the info on this page.
> It lists Cyano (bluegreen algae), and other types aas well. Don't
> remember if it has picks or not.
> I introduced it into my tanks yrs back on a potted plant. I though, at
> the time, it was some sort of moss type stuff and left it. = O
> Ah!!!
> I had to hit the tank with Erythromicin, which kills the bacteria.
> Years later our town (city well water which means out town has several
> deep and shallow wells it draws water from), and needed to repair a
> major well from one part of town. This meant they needed to close off
> that main well and get the rest from a well they hardly use.
> After that I started getting cyanobacteria in all my tanks all the
> time.
> I keep it under control by doing weekly water changes (pristine water
> is very important in controlling it) and physically cleaning it off
> surfaces and plants, etc.
> Being that I have a constant source of it now, there is no use in
> hitting it with Erythromicin. Can't do that. So I deal with it.
> The smaller tanks get bleached once a month and then I use BioSpira to
> add nitrifying bacteria to these tanks. (only product that has the
> correct type of bacteria to jump start the "good" bacteria you need).
> If it turns out to be Cyanobacteria in your tank, and you don't have a
> constant source like I do, just hit the tank (fish and all) with
> Erythro to kill it.
> One last thing...most info on it will say it's blueish green in color.
> Not always. Sometimes it's a darker green, or a lighter green with a
> blueish tint, or sometimes there is no blueish to it. Also the light
> source plays a part it that too. Your bulb may be different from
> another persons, or you may have sunlight hitting the tank which really
> brings out the blue in this alien slime from hell.
> If left alone, it'll take over your entire tank in no time. It blankets
> everything...and fast too.
> There are no fish that eat this stuff, as it's not actually algae.
> A trick to tell whether it's "green slime" algae or Bluegreen algae is
> to take your hand and swoosh the water near it. If it comes off and
> floats in the current in a sheet like chunk, it's Cyano.
>
well it's been on that pot in this tank for getting close to six
years(not always mine). So I think it's alge, thanks.

[Dr Engelbert Buxbaum]

Tynk wrote:


> I had to hit the tank with Erythromicin, which kills the bacteria.
> Years later our town (city well water which means out town has several
> deep and shallow wells it draws water from), and needed to repair a
> major well from one part of town. This meant they needed to close off
> that main well and get the rest from a well they hardly use.
> After that I started getting cyanobacteria in all my tanks all the
> time.
> I keep it under control by doing weekly water changes (pristine water
> is very important in controlling it) and physically cleaning it off
> surfaces and plants, etc.
> Being that I have a constant source of it now, there is no use in
> hitting it with Erythromicin. Can't do that. So I deal with it.
> The smaller tanks get bleached once a month and then I use BioSpira to
> add nitrifying bacteria to these tanks. (only product that has the
> correct type of bacteria to jump start the "good" bacteria you need).
> If it turns out to be Cyanobacteria in your tank, and you don't have a
> constant source like I do, just hit the tank (fish and all) with
> Erythro to kill it.
> One last thing...most info on it will say it's blueish green in color.
> Not always. Sometimes it's a darker green, or a lighter green with a
> blueish tint, or sometimes there is no blueish to it. Also the light
> source plays a part it that too. Your bulb may be different from
> another persons, or you may have sunlight hitting the tank which really
> brings out the blue in this alien slime from hell.
> If left alone, it'll take over your entire tank in no time. It blankets
> everything...and fast too.
> There are no fish that eat this stuff, as it's not actually algae.
> A trick to tell whether it's "green slime" algae or Bluegreen algae is
> to take your hand and swoosh the water near it. If it comes off and
> floats in the current in a sheet like chunk, it's Cyano.
>

This is the typical tale of an overactive tank keeper. By regular
bleaching you prevent the formation of a biological equilibrium in the
tank. Erythromycin will kill cyanobacteria (bga) all right, but also the
nitrifying bacteria in the filter. All this results in bad water params,
in which bga can live particularly well. The tap water probably isn't
the source as it should be sterile. Instead, once an infestation has
occured you take it from tank to tank with fish, plants, nets,
decoration, you name it. Bga can even spread with air, they are not
killed by drying out. Excessive algal growth is a symptom, not a
disease.

The best way to deal with the problem is to let nature take its course,
well-kept, established tanks usually do not get excessive growth of
algae. An exception can occur if the tap water is very high in nitrate
and phosphate (heavy agriculture on sandy soils can lead to leaching of
these plant nutrients into the ground water).

Another possible cause of algal blooms is the lack of specific
micronutrients like iron, which prevent the plants from growing and
competing with algae for nitrate and phosphate. So if plants are not
growing well, use a fertiliser to add these micronutrients -- that made
by Doc Kremser is considered one of the best on the market.

During the time to get fully established (half a year at least) bga
should be removed mechanically during water changes. From most surfaces
they float off if you cause a water current with your hands next to
them. Exception are fine-leaved plants like Cabomba, in that case put a
piece of fine-meshed net-curtain over the plants. Bga are motile and
will move on top of the net, because there is more light there. After
two or three days take the curtain off together with the algae.

Some people have also reported success by keeping the tank in the dark
for at least a week (switch of the illumination and pull a blanket over
the tank), plants should survive that. I have not tried that and for the
reasons stated above would not put too much faith in the permanency of
the result.

Of course supply of fish food should be limited to the necessary

[Dr Engelbert Buxbaum]

Justice wrote:


> It is the dark green kind, It's on my clay pots and gravel, and now
> starting on my tank, winter sun hits it in the morning. My nitrates are
> pretty much nill.

That could be the cause, some bga can fix nitrogen from air, which other
plants can't. Thus very low nitrate concentration (less than 10 mg/l)
can stunt the growth of higher plants and make the Bga take over. In
such a case weekly addition of potassium nitrate to 10 mg/l can
sometimes cure the problem.