Marcelo Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Hi, I use HTH pool filter sand in most of my tank and have a land with active substrate kind of in the middle. I have noticed more algae in the sand in some places of the tank, more toward to the middle and one side of the tank. In the other two corners, not at all. I am wondering if this could be the light or maybe the water flow ? I can’t figure out the reason. Do you have some suggestion ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 2:31 PM, Marcelo said: Hi, I use HTH pool filter sand in most of my tank and have a land with active substrate kind of in the middle. I have noticed more algae in the sand in some places of the tank, more toward to the middle and one side of the tank. In the other two corners, not at all. I am wondering if this could be the light or maybe the water flow ? I can’t figure out the reason. Do you have some suggestion ? Try adding some fish that churn up the substrate? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelo Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 I forgot to send a lic of the Algae … here we go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 You could add some Malaysian trumpet snails they will borrow though the sand preventing any dead spots 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyM Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 I’m guessing light and excess nutrients. But if that’s duckweed on top, it will soon spread enough to handle both those issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 (edited) That's not technically algea, its blue green "algea" which is a bacteria. Fish that sift the substrate , and greater flow will help. But your biggest source is silica in the sand. A quick solution for you would also be to run a course or two of Acoops anti bacteria medicine Myercin (sp) Edited October 15, 2022 by JoeQ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelo Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 9:28 AM, Colu said: You could add some Malaysian trumpet snails they will borrow though the sand preventing any dead spots I have 5 nerite snails and 2 Chinese algae eaters 😳 and they don’t show interest on it 😜 - I will research this Malaysian trumpet ! Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 10:56 AM, Marcelo said: I have 5 nerite snails and 2 Chinese algae eaters 😳 and they don’t show interest on it 😜 - I will research this Malaysian trumpet ! Thank you Live stock will not eat it, trumpet snails are useful because they will churn the sand but very quickly become invasive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 5:08 PM, JoeQ said: Live stock will not eat it, trumpet snails are useful because they will churn the sand but very quickly become invasive. Then they can be dealt with with Assassin Snails, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 11:12 AM, TheSwissAquarist said: Then they can be dealt with with Assassin Snails, Nope... I thought this as well, assassin snails have very little impact. Your best way to deal with an infestation is to limit feeding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelo Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 Well, I am trying to made a hair grass carpet in the that substrate island I mentioned and I now I am concerned these trumpet snails will churn the island too and mess with my future carpet 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 5:30 PM, Marcelo said: made a hair grass carpet in the that substrate island That has been my dream for about a month and so far Diddly Squat has happened! @JoeQ, do you have any ideas for a fish that would churn up the substrate? I’ve heard that CAEs will pick on mystery snails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 11:30 AM, Marcelo said: Well, I am trying to made a hair grass carpet in the that substrate island I mentioned and I now I am concerned these trumpet snails will churn the island too and mess with my future carpet 😳 IMO, I don't see any purpose in them other than raising a colony for feeding pea puffers. Flow and water changes are your friend! On 10/15/2022 at 11:39 AM, TheSwissAquarist said: That has been my dream for about a month and so far Diddly Squat has happened! @JoeQ, do you have any ideas for a fish that would churn up the substrate? I’ve heard that CAEs will pick on mystery snails. Bottom feeders, coryies, loaches, sand sifters, rams, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelo Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 11:42 AM, JoeQ said: IMO, I don't see any purpose in them other than raising a colony for feeding pea puffers. Flow and water changes are your friend! Bottom feeders, coryies, loaches, sand sifters, rams, etc Hi, do you believe I should try increase or decreased the water flow in this area ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 (edited) On 10/15/2022 at 12:13 PM, Marcelo said: Hi, do you believe I should try increase or decreased the water flow in this area ? Increase, along with lots of water changes. Ideally you want to remove the conditions that make the bacteria thrive. Else, anything you do for a quick cleanup will only be a bandaid fix and it will grow back. Here is a good article on what you are dealing with. https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/blue-green-algae Edited October 15, 2022 by JoeQ Spelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 On 10/15/2022 at 6:20 PM, JoeQ said: Increase, along with lots of water changes. Ideally you want to remove the conditions that make the bacteria thive. Else, anything you do for a quick cleanup will only be a bandaid fix and it will grow back. Here is a good article on what you are dealing with. https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/blue-green-algae I agree with @JoeQ, destroy all the conditions making life great for the algae. Without harming the fish of course😏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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