FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I'm having some problems with some white hairy algae and now it growing to include bobbly spores (think of any old jumper with bobbles on it then you're there). To add to that the water is a little cloudy too.

I tested my water last weekend at the LFS.
ammonia - 0
PH: 7.2
Phosphate: moderate
Nitrate - less than 5ppm

So I bought some 'stuff' to lower the phosphate. Water is clearing. I've tried removing the algae by hand but finding it impossible. There are spores and algae all over the place. I have kept my apartment as dark as possible during the day, (while I'm at work) and have only had the light on for a few hours day. I'm changing the water regularly. No change. I have Ottos in there (with a Betta) but the Ottos don't seem to be eating it. Infact a couple of Ottos have died. Doing a search on other threads someone thought 'white algae’ might be a bacteria.

It certainly started looking like Keith's algae (see his posting In General "Thread Algae" but has since grown several heads. I don't know what to do. Should I take out the effected plans and start again? Any help gratefully received - it's driving me mad.

I could try to get a picture of it this weekend if anyone would be kind enough to post the pic for me.

Hi,
Actually it sounds like you are starving the plants.
By that I mean, it sounds like you are not providing
quality light to the plants for 10-13 hours a day,
and it sounds like you don't have enough plants.
Your Nitrates are too low. 10 is considered about right.

Have good flourscent light(s) rated at about 6700K to
8000K, at around 2 watts or more per gallon, and leave
them on for about 10-12 hours. Do regular water changes
and clean the portions of exposed gravel at the time
of the regular water changes.

Here is a site about the various types of algae, how
to pick them out, what causes them, and how to best
eliminate them:

[link=http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html]http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html" style="COLOR: #FF00FF[/link]

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks Frank. Before the invasion the lights were on approx 10 hours per day. I think I have 1.5wpg. I have been feeding the plants Iron and mineral fertilizer (phosphate free). I have Java ferns, amazon swords, wisteria and a plant on a pot (with flat leaves and a white flower). My appartment has a lot of natural light which I try to shut as much as possible when I'm away from the house. I have some pictures of the offending algae which are a bit too big to post. Until I get the software to reduce the size of my pics I think Keith might attach them for me.

I guess my next question would be to move forward: How do I get rid of it and what should I be doing to ensure it does not come back?

Last edited by fishymama at 07-Oct-2005 19:23

a plant on a pot (with flat leaves and a white flower)

This caught my eye. Are you sure it's an aquatic plant ? If not it may be rotting and dumping Ammonia into the tank. Ammonia will cause far more algae then nitrates or phosphates. Also what's in the pot ? If it still has rock wool it will be full of hyroponic nutrients or other forms of fert not really suitable for aquariums. Nitrogen in the form of Urea for example will grow you'll a whole farm of algae. Both of the above would also be extremely toxic for fish.

My advice if you don't know what it is - get it out, quick. If you can identify it as a proper aquatic get it out of the pot.

---

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.

Here are Fishymama's" Algea she cannot resize them therefore I have posted them for her.

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop &amp; Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

[link=Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.]http://www.fishprofiles.com" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

keithgh attached this image:


Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Photo No2

Keith

keithgh attached this image:


Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Photo No3

Keith

keithgh attached this image:


Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Thanks Keith for posting my pics - much appreciated. Hopefully someone will be able to identify the algae or whatever it is

Bensaf - thanks for your concern and I am a bit of a novice but it's definitely an aquatic plant. I'm just not great with names. I bought it at my LFS and it was stored in water. I have the same plant in my 24g on a piece of wood and it is doing really well. Also I've seen it stocked in several fish shops. I keep meaning to take note of the name each time I visit the LFS but it goes in one ear and out of the other I'm afraid! If I pop in the LFS tomorrow I'll make a special effort just for you! Or you might recognise it from my pics. However I would never buy anything if I wasn't 100% sure it was aquatic.

In the meantime, if any one has any idea what is smothering my plants and how I can get rid of it I would be very grateful. Maybe there's a solution I could rinse the plants out in that could remove it? Any suggestions how I can stop it coming back? I'm desperate ... it's ruining my beautiful tank ... not to mention maybe killing off a few Ottos.

Hope to hear from you soon. thanks so much! ]

Bensaf - I've identified my plant. It's anubias nana. Sorry I was a bit vague before!

So I took pictures, a cutting and a water sample to my LFS to see if they could help. They just recommended monitoring and controlling the phosphate, keeping light down to a minimum for awhile and without anything to feed the algae and associated white thingies (technical term) it should breakdown eventually. No miracle cure - I just have to be patient!

If anyone has anything else to add always appreciated but if not, thanks anyway.