Red algae on fake plants

I have some redish-burgundy colored algae growing on my fake plants. I have a 10G tank with 2 african dwarf frogs--no algae eaters. I don't know if it is related, but my pH is now between 8.0- 8.2. I did a 25% water change this morning hoping to decrease the pH (tap water is 7.6) and when I tested the pH about 6 hours later it is still the same.
I read previous posts about washing the plants in clorox, but if there is algae on the plants doesn't that mean that there is algae throughout the tank?
I appreciate all help!

Thanks,
-M

 

Algae indicates an imbalance and overabundance of nutrients in your tank. Water changes is a good start. This article might help you get started on solving this problem:

 

must be brown algae because red algae is only for saltwater tanks and the brown alges is toxic to your aquarium I would take the ornaments out and everything but the filter and clean it. then clean the gravel and the rest of your tank. Keep doing water changes.

 

OK, next question is how often for the water changes? Right now, we do them once a week. So should I do it 3 times a week, daily? And I know the article said a 1:19 ratio of bleach, but that was for live plants. What should I use for the fake? And I know I should keep rinsing with declorinator until I don't smell chlorine. I appreciate the help!!

-M

 

If your tank is cycled, you can do daily water changes with no problem, but that often may not be necessary. How high are your nitrates running? Try and keep them below 20. You can probably use straight bleach, but you will run the risk of changing the color of the plants, especially the silk ones. When you rinse them, also use dechlor and soak them in dechlorinated water as well.

 

Thanks Gunnie!!

I just got finished cleaning them (they are plastic) and am now in the process of declorinating them.

My nitrates are good at 10-20, nitrites are still 0 and no ammonia. The only other problem is the pH at 8.0-8.2.

I am getting water ready for a water change too. Other question...I have a lava-type rock in there too. Is it ok to clean with bleach? I worry that since it is more porous, it will be difficult to get all the chlorine out.

Thanks again!!

-M

 

Well, I did a 25% water change, got way under the gravel, and put the plants back in. I added 5mL of StressZyme for the beneficial bacteria and left the rock in without cleaning it. I read a couple of things that said a little algae is better than no algae: " if there is no algae left in the tank, there is no competition for nutrients that the algae feeds on. If you leave a few rocks or pieces of coral in a tank with a good growth of algae on them, that algae will consume nutrients in the water, which helps to control new growth." from Aquariumpros.com
If there are differing opinions, I appreciate the information---I just want to keep my frogs (and tank) healthy. I guess I will do another WC tomorrow.

How do you check for phosphate levels? What test does anyone recommend? I have the liquid API Master Kit, but it doesn't test for phosphates.

Thanks,

-M

 

Re: Red algae on fake plants and NEW QUESTIONS

OK, I got the algae off the plants, but now I find that it keeps growing on the tank walls. I scrub it off with each WC (weekly or more often), but I can't get it to stop. I read from an earlier post of Butterfly's about doing a black out and how algae like nitrates. The algae is rust colored. I have a lava rock that has algae on it as well, but also has some green algae starting to grow...that's good right? Could my high pH (has been 8.0 for weeks--since the beginning of July, but that is also the pH of my tap water) encouraging the algae growth? My husband picked up some "7.0" product, but I know a stable pH is better than a fluctuating one and I don't want to start adding something that I might have to add for a while.$$$$ I would love to add an oto, but we keep the water temp at 78 degrees and with the high pH I don't know if they could acclimate to it before they died---I also only have a 10G tank ( I hear they need at least a 30G). I wish my tap water pH would go back to the 7.4-7.6 that it use to be.
Please give any help you can!!! Thank you!

Parameters: pH: 8.0, ammonia: 0, nitrites: 0, nitrates: 10
10G tank with 2 african dwarf frogs. Do water changes at least once a week (usually 3G) and add 5mL of StressZyme to the tank after WC
Tank lights run for 10-12 hours, but am trying to reduce that.

-M

 

all algae is bad but green algae is better then brown.

 

most likely its brown diatoms... looks ugly but its harmless and some fish like to eat it... it comes from nutrient rich water.
dont go ripping your aquarium apart to clean it, you can create a minI cycle.
watch your water parameters, make sure your nitrates are low, do partial water changes and eventually they do go away...
I had it too, in 2 tanks. But it begins to die off and eventually they begin to fade away to nothing. happens a lot in newer tanks
Otto cats love the stuff and eat it like crazy.
hope this helps!