The Puffer Forum

So I asked I think about a week ago, and asked the Fish guy at my LFS and I was told it was just a type of algae the helped keep the ammonia levels down. I understand. so I went home and didi a water change, and the algae was more like a "Film" over the substrate, glass, and everything else, rather than just algae.

It's just dark graan, and it's starting to take over my tank D:

Due to a recent hair algae problem I only have the lights on about 3 hours a day. but that isn't helping this algae.

Would live plants help at all? With competition for nutrients I would think it would help.

You can scrape some off with a razor blade, just be really careful. As far as I know it is just normal algea. The others might know more though.

There is also some product called Buckwheat Straw that you can use to help control your hair algae problem. I have used it with great success.

If it is a velvety sort of thick film or mat I would say it is cyano. That combined with hair algae I would think that you have high phospates and or nitrates. If it were me I would assess if I am overfeeding. Have I done enough and big enough water changes and does my water source naturally have high phosphates? If it is just one of your tanks and you have others with no probs I would guess it is not the source water. Do a couple sizable water changes with thorough gravel vacuuming.

I agree, cyano can also be green.

Thanks guys, I'll do another water change in a couple days, since I just did one the other day.

OH! Good news, it looks like I'm getting a digi camera for Christmas at this point, so after x-mas i can get piccies! :'D