algae!

PGJE

Plecostomus
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Dec 16, 2017
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lots of people do not like to use API algae fix, it will help though. anything sensitive in there may want to put into a different tank while treating it..super stressful for fish. dose 1/4 than recommended / break it up into several water changes.

also rinsing plants if they're not fully planted easy way to remove algae b/c it'll grow back.. decrease lighting schedule + small internal filter helped out tons for me.
actually i've used the algeafix before, it helped me with an algae bloom, but it doesn't help with algae on the sides/bottom of the tank
 

phreeflow

Goliath Tigerfish
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Nov 19, 2007
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Way too much light and nutrients. Add a bunch of more plants so they outcompete the algae. Specifically fast growing stem plants like hornwort, guppy grass, and floaters will help a lot for nutrient export. Up your water changes and decrease your fish feeding and lighting drastically until algae's under control. Also, if your tanks not overstocked, you could also have a clean up crew...bristlenose, true Siamese algae eater, Amano shrimp, snails, etc
 

duanes

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I agree with Deeda, not normal algae, it is cyanobacteria.
I had a problem with in in one tank, that got a few hours of indirect sun.
I was able to control it by using the probiotic filter additive Rid-X.

above at the beginning of treatment quite thick on a log.
After a couple weeks with Rid -X below on that same log.

Rid-X (and there are other brands available) is a mixture of dormant dry of beneficial bacteria that outcompete with the cyanobacteria, and other pathogenic for nutrients, and help eat detritus.
I get it at the hardware store, it is a septic tank additive, and it is put into my sumps.
There is a sticky about its use, with more details.
 

PGJE

Plecostomus
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Dec 16, 2017
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okay, i cant add a cleanup crew because it is a 25 gallon tank, and i've fully stocked it. but soon i'm going to move my turtles out of my 50 gallon and ill use that. I'll start reducing light. Right now i can't buy more plants because i'm saving up for a 150 gallon tank. Is rid-x okay for fish?
or is there any other thing i could put in there that would work?
 
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Bonytang

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Feb 21, 2018
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okay, i cant add a cleanup crew because it is a 25 gallon tank, and i've fully stocked it. but soon i'm going to move my turtles out of my 50 gallon and ill use that. I'll start reducing light. Right now i can't buy more plants because i'm saving up for a 150 gallon tank. Is rid-x okay for fish?
or is there any other thing i could put in there that would work?
Lighting schedule bro 100%. T5 vs LED will determine how many hrs a day is recommended. Keep lights off while for a day or 2 and just eliminate any more growth for time being. Don't worry about clean up crew for now it's a small space so u can fix it fast. Try algae fix 1 more time but do 50% -75% water change 1st. Also distilled water so less metal & rinse out whatever in there that has algae - substrate - tubes - everything. That's a great size tank to mess around with by the time u get the 150g you'll know exactly how to prep it.
 

duanes

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I used Rid-X in fish only tanks, and never had a problem.
It is sold a sort of dry flour-like mix, so soaking a small amount in some tank water in a separate jug or container first, will allow the bacteria to rehydrate (come out of dormancy) into the water, then pour the water infused the bacteria (as opposed to the cereal grit) will be much cleaner. For a 29 gal, you won't need much.
I used to soak it in filter socks, to keep the cereal from clouding the water, then after a day or so, rinse out the mix from the sock.
It took a week or so to see "gradual" results, it is "not" an immediate, or even over night, process. Just like cycling a tank, the bacteria need a bit of time to build up a sufficient population to overwhelm the cyanobacteria.
Especially with turtles, they produce copious amounts of waste, that help feed the Cyano.
 

phreeflow

Goliath Tigerfish
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Nov 19, 2007
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I used Rid-X in fish only tanks, and never had a problem.
It is sold a sort of dry flour-like mix, so soaking a small amount in some tank water in a separate jug or container first, will allow the bacteria to rehydrate (come out of dormancy) into the water, then pour the water infused the bacteria (as opposed to the cereal grit) will be much cleaner. For a 29 gal, you won't need much.
I used to soak it in filter socks, to keep the cereal from clouding the water, then after a day or so, rinse out the mix from the sock.
It took a week or so to see "gradual" results, it is "not" an immediate, or even over night, process. Just like cycling a tank, the bacteria need a bit of time to build up a sufficient population to overwhelm the cyanobacteria.
Especially with turtles, they produce copious amounts of waste, that help feed the Cyano.
Wow, I'm mind blown. Didn't know you can use RidX in an aquarium! Gonna have to look into that.

To the OP, bottom line is, you have too many nutrients....get to to the source of the problem by finding a way to drastically reduce that first...less food, more water changes or more plants to export nutrients, less fish, and definitely less light. Then, think about adding stuff to help you fix it...like RidX, Algaefix, erythromycin, etc
 
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Deadliestviper7

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Aug 6, 2016
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Way too much light and nutrients. Add a bunch of more plants so they outcompete the algae. Specifically fast growing stem plants like hornwort, guppy grass, and floaters will help a lot for nutrient export. Up your water changes and decrease your fish feeding and lighting drastically until algae's under control. Also, if your tanks not overstocked, you could also have a clean up crew...bristlenose, true Siamese algae eater, Amano shrimp, snails, etc
Exactly , go directly to the long term solution.
 
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