Stubborn algae

[Mzungu]

Like J said, it's kind of hard to isolate and eliminate the causes of one type of algae growth if you're trying to grow several in another part of the tank.

I would just make sure the halide is pointing as far away from the glass as possible, sunlight's not hitting the tank, and scrub away when you have to. :)

[peterp63]

Thanks for the help. J, I don't think a UV sterilizer would work because I think it only targets one-celled free algae that colors the water (I could be wrong here). Mzungu, I bought that magnet scraper that you're talking about and it is NO MATCH for this algae. Just gonna have to rely on elbow grease for this one because I don't want to sacrifice the algae growth in the tank on the rocks. THANKS AGAIN!!

[Complexity]

Add phosphate (PO4). I'm not kidding. Low phosphate is what causes green spot algae. Maybe this will help:


• http://www.gwapa.org/articles/algae/#greenspot:

Green spot algae is very commonly seen on the glass of tanks when there hasn’t been a water change in awhile, or when an inadequate fertilization scheme has been conducted. GSA also appears on long lasting leaves, such as Java Fern, Anubias, and Bolbitus.
Cause:
Low phosphate (PO4) levels - almost exclusively caused when phosphate levels are depleted.

• http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/:

Green Spot Algae prefer direct light. It forms green spots on aquarium glass and slow growing plants that are exposed to strong light. This algae will appear if CO2 and Phosphate (PO4) levels are low. Since it is very hard, algae eaters can't do much in eliminating this algae. Neritina Zebra snail is the only algae eater known that can, literally, eradicate the Green Spot Algae. It can be scraped manually off of the glass with a razor blade. In a case of an acrylic aquarium use plastic razors only. This algae is considered normal in small amounts.

• http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm:

Cause
With Estimative Index low phosphate levels often bring on a GSA outbreak. Also Low CO2 and poor water flow. Too long a lighting period doesn't help.

• http://www.rexgrigg.com/Algae1.html:

Green Spot Algae (GSA) Low phosphate + Low CO2? Add phosphate, possibly add more CO2

You can scrape it away, but it will come back if you do not increase the phosphate in the tank. Green Spot Algae is one of the easiest to determine causality. It is caused by low phosphates.

[peterp63]

That's a big 10-4. Thanks a lot for that. I just did a large water change along with added filtration and lowered the lighting cycle. I'm hoping that I won't have to add PO4 to the water, but if the problem persists I may do just that. Thanks!!

[myjohnson]

I left my phone at my girl's apartment. Check your PM Peter.

[Complexity]

The water has phosphates in it so the water change will help remedy the problem. Lowering the light may help slow down plant growth, causing them to use the phosphates in the tank more slowly, which means it won't be depleted as quickly. Both efforts may be enough to tip the scale to win over GSA.

Keep in mind that what is already there must be manually removed. It won't go away on it own. But correcting the root cause can prevent it from returning.

[peterp63]

The water has phosphates in it so the water change will help remedy the problem. Lowering the light may help slow down plant growth, causing them to use the phosphates in the tank more slowly, which means it won't be depleted as quickly. Both efforts may be enough to tip the scale to win over GSA.

Keep in mind that what is already there must be manually removed. It won't go away on it own. But correcting the root cause can prevent it from returning.

I have zebra nerites :)