Flynn Naysmith Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 (edited) HI members of the forum I have been fighting a serious Blue Green Algae problem I am pretty sure it was caused by my substrate (silica sand) please help me find a solution. Edited January 18, 2022 by Flynn Naysmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBOzzie59 Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 On 1/18/2022 at 11:21 AM, Flynn Naysmith said: silica sand Not sure how an inert substrate could cause it? Some questions come to mind. Size of tank? Water parameters? Type of light? Hours light is on? Bio-Load (tank inhabitants)? How long has the tank been running? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 My algae control method: -cut back on light period or intensity -manual cleaning -a clean up crew of Otocinclus catfish and Amano shrimp -possible use of liquid carbon products if the algae persists. Can you post a pic of the algae? That might help folks find a solution faster. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flynn Naysmith Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 Hi I will try all of the things you have stated except Otocinclus and Amano shrimp as we can not get them in New Zealand. thanks for your help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 On 1/18/2022 at 11:43 AM, Flynn Naysmith said: Hi I will try all of the things you have stated except Otocinclus and Amano shrimp as we can not get them in New Zealand. thanks for your help. If you can get Nerite snails, they’re great algae eaters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 This is a bacteria and snails wont eat it. You need to clean it manually, increase circulation, strongly consider adding an airstone and in extream cases, when all else fails, treat with maracyn. I had a horrible time with this when I put Fluval Sand in my quarantine tank. Check out the YouTube, Cory put a good video out on it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flynn Naysmith Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 I have tried switching the sand out for gravel in the past and it completely got rid of the Blue Green Algae. do you think I should try it again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 That depends how easy you want to make things for yourself. Here is an article that helped me with it. https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/blue-green-algae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flynn Naysmith Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 this article really helped me i'll make sure to pass it on to people with the same problem. Thank you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flumpweesel Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 I had it while back and fingers crossed cleared it up with a few air stones. I manually cleared as much as could first then added an air line to increase flow, it seems to prefer calmer waters. I do have to keep an eye out on the rim and brace for it starting there if water collects. I just wipe those with a vinegar soaked cloth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flynn Naysmith Posted January 19, 2022 Author Share Posted January 19, 2022 Awesome thanks I’ll try that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaFishGuy Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 If you decide to go to the extreme, a tank treatment of Erythromycin should take care of it in about a week. I dosed it at half what I would dose if I was treating a fish. Be sure to take carbon out of your filters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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