Algae ID

Non puffer freshwater discussion. Don't tell your puffers, they'll be jealous!
Post Reply
User avatar
I.Puff.Too
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 310
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:52 am
Gender: Male
Location (country): USA
Location: Charleston, SC

Algae ID

Post by I.Puff.Too »

Ok, so what am I dealing with?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
I.Puff.Too
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 310
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:52 am
Gender: Male
Location (country): USA
Location: Charleston, SC

Re: Algae ID

Post by I.Puff.Too »

No takers yet? I've been trying to find something on other forums with no luck... I'm not sure this is even really an algae...
User avatar
Iliveinazoo
Fahaka Puffer
Posts: 826
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:09 am
Gender: Male
My Puffers: 1xFigure 8
Location (country): UK
Location: Southampton

Re: Algae ID

Post by Iliveinazoo »

Algae guide here:
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm

It looks to me like diatoms and the beginnings of Blue Green Algae (Cynobacteria). I'd guess that you have a newish set-up that had diatoms which is now receding as the tank matures and it is being replaced with BGA.
User avatar
I.Puff.Too
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 310
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:52 am
Gender: Male
Location (country): USA
Location: Charleston, SC

Re: Algae ID

Post by I.Puff.Too »

The tank is pretty new, It just finished cycling about 3 weeks ago. My water change is today so I'm going to clean it off of everything, and hopefully keep it off. Any tips on how to prevent it?
User avatar
Iliveinazoo
Fahaka Puffer
Posts: 826
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:09 am
Gender: Male
My Puffers: 1xFigure 8
Location (country): UK
Location: Southampton

Re: Algae ID

Post by Iliveinazoo »

The diatoms will naturally recede over time but the BGA will keep coming back. If you have a heavily planted tank (~75% of the substrate) then a combination of turnover, light, CO2 and fertilisation will keep the plants healthy and "outcompete" the algae which can drastically reduce the speed at which the BGA spreads. To further aid the battle with algae you can have a few snails or shrimps to graze on it but unfortunately they don't last very long in a puffer tank!

A good maintenance regime is of great importance and filters should be cleaned regularly.

If you didn't have plants then you could have a very low light level or reduce the light on time. If you have low light or plants that do best in shade then you could add a floating plant to stop as much light breaking through.
Post Reply