Green Alga Overrun - Page 2

Magpie · 11-30-2006, 11:31 AM

Yes, I did a 60% water change and vacuumed the gravel. I have not gotten a hang on the side filter yet. Is it absolutely necessary? I had this tank up and running in the past with just the undergravel filter and bubble ring and it was fine. When should I do another water change?

Thanks so much for your help.
Magpie

Jay · 11-30-2006, 01:24 PM

The under gravel filter is not going to help you with some types of cloudy water. I really think you should invest in a HOB which will allow you to physically remove dirt, and debris from the water column. It would also allow you to do some micro filtration and perhaps some short term Charcoal filtering would help.

Jay

Magpie · 11-30-2006, 04:26 PM

Okay, will do. Thanks again!!!! Otherwise, the fish are happy and healthy. I am also going to get an alga eater.

Magpie

fishobsessed · 12-01-2006, 01:19 PM

Hi, i also had a serious problem with algae a couple of months ago, i bought 2 algae eaters (the yellow ones) and after a week all my algae was gone

.I still have an algae free tank!

Magpie · 12-01-2006, 03:25 PM

I got an otb filter and an alga eater today and within 15 minutes, my tank is looking 100% better. Jay, you are the Best!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to continue to keep the light at minimum for a few more days and do a 50% water change on Sunday. Jay, you are the Best!!!!!!

Magpie

Jay · 12-01-2006, 03:50 PM

Thank you!!

Lol...algae flee at the mear mention of my name

Jay

fishobsessed · 12-02-2006, 08:17 PM

Wow that's alot of work! ijust added two yellow algae eaters and my algae was gone in just two weeks!

Tommy Gun · 12-02-2006, 10:03 PM

Keep in mind then that the algea eaters are going to need supplimental feeding in the absence of a good food source in the tank. There are algea tablets that are often liked by them, but they are also liked by many fish so try to ensure that your algea eaters are getting some! Cucumbers and Zuchinni are also well liked but you should blanch them by putting them quickly in some boiling water (10 to 15 seconds) to remove the insecticides, preservatives, and color enhancing chemicals and then throw them quickly into some cold water to stop the cooking process. I like to weigh them down in the tank with some of the weights used to hold down aquatic plants but simply putting a spoon through them also works (use the handle).

Also keep in mind that in a lot of cases, algea eaters will base their diets on algea more so as juvvies and not so much as adults. Some also like to 'suck' on the sides of other fish to get the nutrients from the slime coat so watch any slow moving fish in your tank since this can result in them having a weakened defense against things like Ich and other problems.

You shouldnt use salt in normal doses with them in a tank either since most are scaleless fish. The basic rule of thumb is to either not use aquarium salt or to at least cut the dose in half to 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons instead of per 5 gallons.

Congrats on solving or at least reducing the algea problem in your tanks!

Jay · 12-03-2006, 08:42 AM

It is also useful to keep in mind what algae these guys eat. There are lots of algae which can become a plague in the tank. Usually it is the soft green nuisance algae that is eaten by "algae eaters", and diatoms are a favorite of Ottos. Mollies will pick at hair algae.

Quote:

Wow that's a lot of work! ijust added two yellow algae eaters and my algae was gone in just two weeks!

The real bad guys, Cyanobacteria, Black Beard, Staghorn, Green Water, etc. are not eaten by "algae eaters", and once they gain a foot hold it is a lot of work to get rid of it, and a real temptation to use nukes.

Jay

Tommy Gun · 12-03-2006, 09:07 PM

Jay,

Asking this for the benifit of everyone else, as well as for mine, but I had read that Ottos will eat cyno? Is this something you have heard or one of the same situations as some plecos and not really keen on doing everything they are advertised to do?