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L# Freshwater Aquaria
 L# Planted Aquaria
  L# Algae
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SubscribeAlgae
Communist Hamster
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Posts: 83
Kudos: 78
Votes: 7
Registered: 02-Aug-2004
male wales
My 37g has some algae on the sides and next to the gravel, where the magnetic scraper can't reach. I heard someone say that turning off the light for a few days would kill off the algea. Is this true, and if it isn't how could I best get rid of the algae? Also in the aquarium is:

6 bronze cories
2 dwarf gouramis
6 neon tetras
2 guppies

1 unidentified plant that seems to grow well
another unidentified plant (dam LFSs don't label any of their plants ]:| ) that doesn't seem to be doing so well
a nice java fern

The aquarium has no CO2 injection, and is lit by 2 36-8 watt fluroescent lamps (so I think it's about 2wpg)

I'll provide pics as soon as I get home.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:45Profile MSN PM Edit Report 
Bob Wesolowski
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Mega Fish
Posts: 1379
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Registered: 14-Oct-2004
male usa
You may be able to remove it with an old toothbrush...

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
poisonwaffle
 
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Mega Fish
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Registered: 11-Feb-2003
male usa
I usually just use my algae scraper to move the gravel on the edges of the tank to different places, so I can scrape the algae around it off. My guppies and ottos usually take care of the rest of the algae, and the cories move the gravel back

If ya still can't get some algae off, use a razor blade, a smaller algae scraper, yer hand, a paper towel, or some sort of a brush to get it off

If your algae problems are so bad that you have to turn off the lights to kill it, then you have a problem that's causing the large amounts of algae. Usually the culprits are either high nitrates or high phosphates...but an inbalance of anything can cause it. You've got 'bout 2WPG of light, so that shouldn't be too much to need CO2, but you might be lacking trace elements (maybe potassium or iron?) that the plants need to compete with the algae.

Good luck
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Communist Hamster
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male wales
OK, here are some pics

Mystery plant 1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/communisthamster/ElPiccoLata004.jpg
as you can see it has some algae on the leaves.

Mystery plant 2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/communisthamster/ElPiccoLata003.jpg
Well this one seems not to be doing so well, but at least it hasn't turned into the nightmare of little leaves everywhere that I thought might happen

PS

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/communisthamster/ElPiccoLata005.jpg
That's one of my 2 dwarf gouramies, is it normal for their dorsal fins to be low all the time?

Last edited by bensaf at 11-Jul-2005 20:50
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:45Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
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male ireland
Can't make out pic 1 very well, too dark. Is it a stem plant ? Looks like a Hygro of some type.

Mystery Plant 2 is either a vwery pale Rotala Wallichii or Rotala Nanjenshan. This is relatively demanding plant and needs good light and nutrient supply to do well. When doing well a very beautiful plant.


Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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