Does Anybody Here Have Experience With Green Dust Algae?

Hi. This algae is weird, I wipe it off and do a water change at it comes back within a few hours. It also primarily only on the front tank wall and not really the back or sides. The tank does not get direct sunlight.

I had some brown diatoms before this but that weren’t too invasive and after I got rid of the plastic plants and got real ones it went away.

I just put in the following plants: Bacopa Carolinia, Java Fern and Anubias.

I had put some root tabs under the bacopa and they don’t really seem to be utilizing it and I’m wondering of this triggered the issue? I did remove the tabs, scrub the tanks walls, and did 25% water change and the algae took slightly longer to return but still coated the tank wall within 24hrs. It’s a very thin, almost translucent layer I can even see squiggles being drawn in it from my Betta swimming up against it at feeding time.

I also have read that if you just let the green dust develop for a few weeks undisturbed it’s less likely to come back when you wipe off the matured substance. Is this true? Has anybody had success getting rid of this type of algae?

I have a Betta tank with a Current USA freshwater LED. It’s about a three month old tank. And I leave the light on for about 8hrs a day.

 

Sorry I can't offer help, but I'm struggling with the very same thing -- just didn't know the name! I'll be following this to see if anyone's had luck getting rid of it.

 

Try larger water changes( up to 80-90 percent and cut out the lights for 10-14 hrs a day.

 

Make sure your use dechlorinated water.

 

Try larger water changes( up to 80-90 percent and cut out the lights for 10-14 hrs a day.

Thanks. Will that big of water change also cause any harm to the beneficial bacteria in the tank?

 

Not in my experience. Most if not all of your BB is in your filtration. Make sure to use either aged water or use Prime water conditioner. BTW how large is your tank? And does your water have clorimines or only chlorine ?

 

Mine has only chlorine, so I keep some aged water,( about 14 gal), for toping off ect. When I do water changes, I Seachem Prime. I like it because it only takes a capful to to treat 50 gal of water. So it's cheaper in the long run that most others I have used. Thanks

 

Mine has only chlorine, so I keep some aged water,( about 14 gal), for toping off ect. When I do water changes, I Seachem Prime. I like it because it only takes a capful to to treat 50 gal of water. So it's cheaper in the long run that most others I have used. Thanks

Thanks. I have a ten gallon tank. I have well water and found no chlorine in the water or other harmful compounds when I testedit, regardless , I do use prime for the water changes. Just to be clear is it accurate the algae itself isn’t harmful to fish? I am curious if the “let it grow for 2-3 weeks” actually works with this “dusty” type of algae and if trying it would cause any problems for the betta? I definitely will cut back some more on the lighting. Trying to figure out what all the options are. Thanks for the help!

 

Some s if they help. It’s weirdly isolated to front tank wall, and as you can see looking straight on, it’s not very visible at all

Hi. This algae is weird, I wipe it off and do a water change at it comes back within a few hours. It also primarily only on the front tank wall and not really the back or sides. The tank does not get direct sunlight.

I had some brown diatoms before this but that weren’t too invasive and after I got rid of the plastic plants and got real ones it went away.

I just put in the following plants: Bacopa Carolinia, Java Fern and Anubias.

I had put some root tabs under the bacopa and they don’t really seem to be utilizing it and I’m wondering of this triggered the issue? I did remove the tabs, scrub the tanks walls, and did 25% water change and the algae took slightly longer to return but still coated the tank wall within 24hrs. It’s a very thin, almost translucent layer I can even see squiggles being drawn in it from my Betta swimming up against it at feeding time.

I also have read that if you just let the green dust develop for a few weeks undisturbed it’s less likely to come back when you wipe off the matured substance. Is this true? Has anybody had success getting rid of this type of algae?

I have a Betta tank with a Current USA freshwater LED. It’s about a three month old tank. And I leave the light on for about 8hrs a day.

 

I've never let it grow in mine. As long as you have filtration system that is cycled, that large of a water change shouldn't hurt anything. Although wouldn't even use Prime with well water. I don't like to put chemicals in if I can help it.

 

Your light or some light is probably shining on that glass.

 

I've never let it grow in mine. As long as you have filtration system that is cycled, that large of a water change shouldn't hurt anything. Although wouldn't even use Prime with well water. I don't like to put chemicals in if I can help it.

Okay, thank you. Somebody told me Bettas are sensitive to water changes that large, which is part of why I was concerned. You’re right t’s probably unnecessary to use the prime with the well water but guess I like to be extra careful. Thanks for all the help.

 

I don't keep bettas. But I don't know how they could be sensitive to large water changes. When they are at the Pet Store living in those jars, they get 100 per cent water changes 2-3 times a day. LOL Have a good day. Thanks

 

And it shouldn't be a problem with the fish eatin' it. Also, I thought about this. Where does your filter blow out? Is it on the ft glass? What kind of filter is it? And also the ferts probably kicked off.

 

And it shouldn't be a problem with the fish eatin' it. Also, I thought about this. Where does your filter blow out? Is it on the ft glass? What kind of filter is it? And also the ferts probably kicked off.

Sorry, fish eating what? Bettas are carnivorous... It’s a sponge filter, used to be directed toward the side wall, but now it’s just blows out towards the front glass. Yeah, I think so. I’m hoping my removal of the fertilizers may help. From what can I see the bacopa doesn’t really need it.

 

I haven't seen many fish that won't nibble at algae. But as I said before I don't do Bettas. Also I assume you've cked your Nitrates?

 

I haven't seen many fish that won't nibble at algae. But as I said before I don't do Bettas. Also I assume you've cked your Nitrates?

I’ll have to keep an eye on him to see if he does, maybe he has and I just didn’t notice. Yes, they are at 5 ppm

 

That sounds good.( My 46 gal was at 40 ppm this AM ), I changed the water down two about 3" above the gravel, brought it down to 5ppm. If I had only changed 50 per cent, I would still be around 20-30 ppm. I have several tanks and I can't change them all at once. I stagger them. Last week this tank was at 20 and it was ok till this week. That's why I do large water changes, I've got other things to do than change water every week

 

That sounds good.( My 46 gal was at 40 ppm this AM ), I changed the water down two about 3" above the gravel, brought it down to 5ppm. If I had only changed 50 per cent, I would still be around 20-30 ppm. I have several tanks and I can't change them all at once. I stagger them. Last week this tank was at 20 and it was ok till this week. That's why I do large water changes, I've got other things to do than change water every week

That makes sense. Since I’m still new at this, with only the one tank, I don’t mind doing the water more frequently. I lost two fish before this which is likely why I’m so paranoid haha.
I wonder if I do some water changes every three days or so instead of weekly if that may have the same effect as one large water change but in a more gradual fashion. Like, I said I’m sure you’re right it won’t hurt anything, I’m just a nervous fishkeeper.

 

Sorry I can't offer help, but I'm struggling with the very same thing -- just didn't know the name! I'll be following this to see if anyone's had luck getting rid of it.

If it helps you too, I’ve been hunting around tonight and found these things in addition to the helpful advice being offer here in the thread:

It took me a while to find the name as well!