Algae Problem...HELP!!

[ricky1414]

I am having a serious problem with controlling the algae in my 20 gal. My diatom bloom has since gone away, but there is a new algae growing. It appears to not be a dark green, but almost yellowish-green, almost florescent in color. I scrape the glass and scrub the LR, and about 14-16 hours later it is back.
I don't have enough dinero for a ro unit, but have been getting r/o water from a really cool lfs owner that has a store near my house. What do i do to get rid of it? My snails that really took care of the diatoms seem to be not even putting a dent in the algae; in fact, they don't even seem to be that interested in it. What do i do?

 

[Anonymous]

Take your time, I have found that algae comes in cycles in a new tank, it should go away on its own as long as you are keeping the feedings low and the skimming high

Bryan

 

[kparton]

I had this as well in my new tank, although it didn't take over (I think the hair algae was winning at that point). It went away on its own relatively quickly. I personally did a lot of water changes and skimmed the crap out of the tank, but I don't know if this made a difference since I'm new to the hobby. it made me feel better though.

 

[ChrisRD]

Can you take a picture of the algae? It might help us to make suggestions.

I tend to agree with Bryan here - it should pass on it's own if you keep your water quality up.

If we can identify the algae though, we might be able to suggest something that would graze on it and help speed the process of getting rid of it.

 

[ricky1414]

here are two pics of the algae. Thanks for the help

 

[ChrisRD]

The first pic looks like a typical film algae (which several species of snails generally eat), but it looks a bit different in the second pic. Sorta looks like it has bubbles in it in the second pic - true?

In any event, at this early stage it's normal to see some film and hair algaes crop up. If you're fairly certain the water you're getting from your LFS is pure, just keep up with your water changes and skimming and it should settle down in time.

Also, feeding too heavily and/or using additives can make things worse. A mix of a few different species of snails also helps as they don't all seem to prefer the same types of algaes.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I agree

Hey Ricki, its really nice if you resize the photos to around 640 X 480 so they fit in a standard window

Nice shot of the blue leg by the way, must be a pretty decent camera

Bryan

 

[ricky1414]

point well taken, my apologiesabout the size. Its a pretty economical camera, a powershot a70. takes some decent photographs.
as for the algae, im gonna scrub it down and then cut my photoperiod in half, then raise it gradually. my snails have finally begun to dine on the algae a little.

 

[nick morgan]

I had a 55 gal that I left the light on 24 hrs a day. The only algae growth I had was a light covering on the back glass and on the open areas of my coral. A lot did grow on the glass top right under the light though. The color was a very dark green. When it go thick enough to diminish the light I would scrape it off and let it sink to the bottom. It would lose its color and die off in about a week. I also currently have another 10 gal tank that I get the same "Film Algae" on the glass. I just leave it alone. I have 2 blue damsels and 2 candycane shrimp that feed on it. I scrape it off a day or two before I have anyone over to look at it. I turn the light on at about 6pm and turn it off at 5 or 6am.

 

[danmhippo]

Ricky, what animals do you have in the 20G?

My experience with Algae is always nutrient control. They are a hell lot easier to manage if nutrients are exported out of the tank as soon as they are available.