What is this algae

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Brentweld

Aquarium Advice Activist
Joined
Dec 9, 2011
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117
Location
Salt lake city, Utah
How do I get rid of it I have a 55 gallon with 4 t 5 lights how many hours should I run them? I am using excel daily and still have the problemImageUploadedByAquarium Advice1405113724.641958.jpgImageUploadedByAquarium Advice1405113734.426985.jpgImageUploadedByAquarium Advice1405113743.494376.jpg


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The first 2 photos looks like bba (black beard algae) and the third picture looks like it could be blue-green algae. Are the t5's HO?
 
Then that means you are in the high light range and excel will not help much in algae control. I suggest going DIY co2 or pressurized co2 to control algae and run your light for 7 hours or less.
 
I don't know then that's a lot of money I just might move up to a salt water if I need to spend that much.


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You'll spend allot more going salt them just getting a co2 system. The aquatek paintball regulator off amazon is about 100$
 
The 3rd pic is Cyanobacteria. It usually comes with newer setup tanks. You can get rid of it my lightly dosing Maracyn(Not Maracyn II) for 5days.


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You could try running only 2-3 lights and for a smaller amount of time. For the blue green algae you might need to do a erythromycin treatment. How much excel do you dose per day and are you adding any ferts?


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I capful excel per day but have been slacking cause I'm not seeing a difference. That's a good idea I think I'll try 3 lights


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What is the erethromyacin? Or however you spell it.


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Here's a helpful article on treating BGA: Controlling cyanobacteria | The Skeptical Aquarist

For your lighting strength you could probably be doing like 1-2 mL of Excel per gallon. That would obviously get very costly so you could also look into purchasing Metricide 14, which is just the generic form (glutaraldehyde) in a more concentrated (and much cheaper) dosage. There are lots of good threads on Metricide/Glut alternatives here on AA if you do a forum search. Here's Metricide on Amazon: Amazon.com: Metrex Metricide Gallon 14 Day - Model 182337 - Each: Health & Personal Care
 
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