Creative Aquascape Union

Algae issue

Written by Eric Cheng

2006/02/14

Understanding Algae

The most problematic encounter in aquascaping is undoubtedly that of algal outbreak. Many people even give up the hobby altogether when they cannot solve the problem. This is all too bad because, for the most part, algal outbreaks are all caused by the same reason regardless of their variety. Mostly, it is due to too much ammonia and organic nitrite. Phosphorus will build up if water is not changed for a long time. Unfinished food as well as left-over algal spores will cause algae to proliferate. In most cases, algae would appear as green, blue, brown, or even black. The darker the color, simply identify, the more polluted the tank is.

Outbreak, Reason, and Prevention

1.Beard algae
There are black, grey, green, and other colors. Many grow on rocks, woods, and older leaf edges. The very sight of algae is very unpleasant in the tank. The main causes are too much phosphorus, infrequent water changes, too much lighting, high temperature and depleted CO2. Plants have little time to assimilate nutrients, thereby leaving them in the water. Over time, without water change, this adds up and become an even greater problem! A good way to get rid of these algae is by manual removal. Pinch off any leaf that has algae. Change about half a tank’s worth of water and then clean the filter. This would get rid of spores present in the filter. Add new water and dose some beneficial photosynthetic bacteria. Decrease the length of illumination and change 1/3 water every other day. Finish by adding some algae-eating shrimps and fish to eat any remaining algae.

2.Hair algae
Just like hair that grow attached to plants. It has similar growing requirements as the plants. Once grown attached to moss and fern, it will become difficult to detach. Main reasons include providing too much light and fertilizer, and/or plants not growing normally. Toothbrush can be used to remove the algae. Then water change can be done to decrease the amount of nitrite and phosphorus. In order to contain hair algae, phosphorus must be less than 0.5mg/L in the water. Daily water change shouldn’t exceed ½ of the tank volume.

3.Blue-green algae
Dark green colored with a strong putrid smell. Fast reproduction time, which will cover everything from plants, substrate, to glass. Main reason is inadequate filtration in the beginning of the set up, which causes nitrifying bacteria to be unable to keep up its population. Unclean substrates with organic matters present, use of low-grade fertilizer, and/or unfinished foods, as the result none balance water condition, like nitrate is low are the reasons for this algae to grow. Algae-eating shrimps and fish can’t do the job alone. A sanitizer TDC (Taiyo Disease Control) can be used to effectively rid of this algae due to its formulated bactericide. Inject with syringe where the algae grows. Once the algae starts to break down, SAE will then eat it up. Daily water change shouldn’t exceed more than ½ of the tank’s volume. Planting more closely together will also help.

4. Spot algae
Usually found attached to hard-leaved plants and glass surface. Slow propagator. Reasons of cause are due to too much lighting and leftover nutrients. Alleviation can be done during water changes. First, turn off the filter, cut off any leaf that has algae on it, and then use a triangle or credit card to scrape off the algae. Siphon out the debris.

Prevention

Although there are many ways of combating algae, it still can be very daunting and discouraging to the plant growers. So the best way is by prevention.

Build a complete filtration system coupled with regular servicing. Change water weekly at about 1/3 water each time.
Add a UV light, and set the proper illumination time followed by densely grown plants.
Avoid exposing too much of the substrate to the light, especially use soil as substrate.
In the first two to three weeks, due to the incomplete filtration, take care not to add great amount of fish.
Do not add more than 1 fish per 1 liter of water.
Do not overfeed because leftovers contain nitrogen and phosphorus, which are two of the algae’s favorite nutrients.
Liquid fertilizer is more readily absorbed in the water and care should be taken to not over dose because the chemical reactions resulted might overwhelm plants’ absorption rate, causing leftovers to become algae’s nutrients.
Prune older leaves that are close to the substrate to prevent any algae from growing onto them. Otos, SAE’s, snails, and algae-eating shrimps (about 40 in a 60cm tank) can all be put into the tank to control algae.