Algae control guide

[The Scaper’s Scene]

ALGAE CONTROL GUIDE

*Green Water Algae*
(turns the water into cloudy green color)

Common causes:

• Ammonia (uncycled new tank, over feeding, fish plant decomposition) with high light level for extended periods

Solution:

• Lover light level plus reduce photo-period to 5 hours per day
• Mild cases can be cured by over-dosing Excel (which can hurt both livestock and plants) BE CAREFUL!
• Using Purigen as last step of filtration
• 4-5 days blackout
• Diatom filter
• UV sterilizer is 100% cure for serious cases
• Minimum 50% water change per week, more it’s better

*Hair Algae*

Common causes:

• Unhealthy or stressed plants (sub-optional CO2, overcrowding fishes, over pruning)
• Abundance of unhealthy plants
• Build up of organic waste/ammonia (clogged filters, incomplete cycled tank, over feeding)

Solution:

• Lover light level plus reduce photo-period to 5 hours per day
• Mild cases can be cured by over-dosing Excel (which can hurt both livestock and plants) BE CAREFUL!
• Using Purigen as last step of the filtration
• Minimum 50% water change per week, more is better

*Green Dust Algae*
(green film most noticeably on the glass)

Common causes:

• Biologically immature tank, newly set up tank
• Lack of dominant plant mass in the tank
• High light coupled with heavy water fertilization

Solution:

• Build up plant mass in the tank to 70+%
• 3-5 days blackout
• Reduce dosing of fertilizers
• Minimum 50% water change per week

*Green Spot Algae*
(distinct circular dots that are very hard to scape off)

Common causes:

• If this is the only algae that you have in your tank and you are not dosing phosphates at all, it may indicate insufficient phosphates
• Unhealthy plants, damaged leaves
• High organic waste levels (if present on hardscape rather than on plants)

Solution:

• Prune off dead growth and replant new tips
• Be sure that plants are in good health condition
• Clear organic waste from the tank
• Minimum 50% water change per week

*Cladophora*
(distinctive smell)

Common causes:

• Slow flow
• Slow plants growing
• Decaying undergrowth

Solution:

• Manually remove, spot treat with H2O2 or with Excel
• Prune/remove unhealthy plants
• Increase growth rates by optimizing CO2, nutrients level
• Increase flow
• Minimum 50% water change per week

*Black Brush Algae*
(black brush/beard, commonly found on filter outflows and plant leaves)

Common causes:

• Fluctuating CO2 levels in the tank
• High organic/dirty tank with high light

Solution:

• Stabilize CO2 level
• Make water flow more even
• Clean filters, improve filtration
• Spot dose H2O2 or Excel directly on BBA at first appearance to prevent spreading
• Remove affected plants and replant new healthy plants
• Minimum 50% water change per week