twinston

i have this green algae that looks like hair in my tank. i saw one a couple of days ago,but now there seems to be more of it. what is it and how do i get rid of it? is it good or bad?

witt0018

It's definately bad, it grows really quick and will overcome your tank, some algae can be treated with aquarium salt, you can also get treatments from the pet store.

Usually excess algae is due to the tank being exposed to excess sunlight or having the tank lights on for too long, make sure they are switched off over night and that the tank is not in direct sunlight.

Another way to keep it down is to add a plec to the tank, or some loaches, as this is their main diet, but they probably wont eat the long stringy stuff, but will eat it before it gets to that stage.

Hop this is useful.

Trev

fishbum

Sunlight,or the tanks lights are one of many reasons algae grows.What are your phosphate and nitrate levels at?Nitrates can be lowered with water changes,I am sure you know that though.With saltwater,and even fresh water,if there is an algae problem,you need to get a phosphate absorber.ROWAphos is the best on the market right now.It is a little expensive,but it works.Because you have a SW tank,you might consider getting a fluidized bed reactor for phosphate resins.Here are some links.
http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquarium...d-filters.html
The phosphate reactors are about $45.
And here is a link for a DIY reactor
http://fishlesscycling.com/forum/index.php?topic=1194.0
And one more link for the rowa
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod...FhM6B0Odduqg__
If I had to bet,the algae is growing because of lighting or phosphates.If it is lighting,this is a quick,easy,and cheap fix.If it is phosphates,it is a little more expensive to fix,but well worth the investment of a reactor and some rowa.With a SW set up buying a reactor and some rowa would be a good idea anyway,IMO.
I have several FW tanks that I built reactors for.Ever since I started using the reactors with the ROWA,there is never any algae at all.

witt0018

I would steer more towards the lighting being the problem, the type of algae you are describing is common in garden ponds and lakes during the summer, but dies off during the winter.

Once treated, if you get the lighting balence right, there should be no more problems.

Personally, I have always tried to avoid adding chemicals, as it dosen't help the water quality much, and often adds to the stress levels of the fish. If there is not too much in there at the moment, try cleaning it off, you can buy algae scrapers for the glass, and removable items can be done in a bucket of aquarium water when doing a water change.

If the aquarium is in direct sunlight, move it away, if not, use the lamp less often or change the tube or bulb to a different type.

By the way, what are your water readings?

Good luck

fishbum

ROWA is not a chemical,it is in fact a resin the removes phosphates and silicates.Two of the most common causes of algae.Most experienced SW keepers know of phosphate removers and reactors.

witt0018

Either way, you are still adding a foreign substance to the tank, I would still try to cure it manually first.

fishbum

You do not add it to the tank,the water is rinsed through it,the phosphates and silicates get removed,and viola,no more algae!

twinston

actually i did get a phosphate absorber, but i haven't started using yet since my level is 0ppm. my nitrate is about 10ppm, and every thing else is 0 too. i think the lightening may well be the problem. i did reduce the hours from 12 to 8, but i may need to reduce it again. will a tang eat the algae?

witt0018

Plecs are the best algae eaters in my opinion, my tank is always crystal clear, and I have 2 of them, they are really interesting too, trouble is, they grow really big.

sgould

Plecs are freshwater...probably wouldn't do too good in a sw tank. Tangs will eat algae, yes, but they are very active and need a large tank.

twinston

what about a lemonpeel. i think i read somewhere that they eat algae. am i right?