green/blue green slime algea problem

[edmlfc]

Freshwater Planted tank. amm.0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0-5, ph 7.2 running for 6 months. Filter's and substrate moved from another tank and added to this tank (2 years running) Lighting 6 bulbs on 125 gallon 6 foot tank 6500k each, 32 watts each (3 bulbs on 3 feet, the other 3 bulbs on the other 3 feet. 4 lights are 4 months old and 2 lights are 10 days old.

I've started adding excel every day at 3 capfuls to treat 150 gallons. That didn't work. Now I'm doing a black out period, on my second day.

Everything: sand, driftwood, glass and plants are covered in this slimey green/green blue algea. It peels off really easy. Actually comes off in sheets. When I take it off the sand it will lift up like a carpet with sand stuck to the bottom. How do I get rid of this stuff?

[imagirlgeek]

I've heard that erythromycin will get rid of that stuff, but I don't have personal experience with it.

Is this Anabelle's tank?

[wesleydnunder]

Blue green algae is actually cyanobacteria, a photosynthetic form of bacteria. It is often caused by low nitrates, low flow and abundance of other nutrients like phosphate. It can, as you found out, be easily removed by hand but the cause should be removed if you want to erradicate it. You can add some powerheads or air wands to increase current. You can increase nitrate through dosing of KNO3. You can reduce phosphate with Phosban or waterchanges if your tapwater isn't putting phosphates back in the tank. Since it's a bacteria, antibiotics can be effective but carry the risk of impairing or even killing your biofilter, throwing the tank into a cycle. Since you've started the blackout, keep going with it. If, when you restore the tank to normal conditions, it comes back, then other corrective measures will need to be taken. Does the tank get direct sunlight?

Mark

[edmlfc]

Yes it's Annabelle's tank.
No there is no direct sunlight only light in the room is from the tank. I'd rather not add any medications to the tank. It's a puffer tank. Not sure about the phosphates in the tap water. I think I have a test somewhere but I'll have to dig it out. Will it be better if I start using ro/di or will that make things worse?

[edmlfc]

One more thing I would also rather not add nitrate to the tank. Puffer's are sensitive to nitrates. I have two bubble wands in there and I can always add powerheads. I have one more day of black out, I'll dig out my powerheads and add those on sunday and see if that helps any. Thanks for the reply.

[manifresh006]

Yeah blackout will do just make sure no light is showing cover the whole tank

[MerrittA]

Sounds like you have a cyanobacteria infestation. Comes from having too much nutrients in the water. Change the water frequently and don't feed so much to your puffers (they are such messy eaters!). You could also try to hook up a protein skimmer, that will get rid of the stuff fast. Good luck! :-)

[kwc1974]

did you fix it?