BGA or dIATOMS?

[MyCatsDrool]

How do i know for sure which one i have? It is a brownish green film on the glass that is easy to remove with a scraper


Also how do i get rid of it once and for all?

 

[Devilishturtles]

BGA is the same as cyano, just a different name for it. Diatoms are light brown, not filmy, usually "dust" off when you make tubulent motions in the tank. BGA or cyano is thick, usally slimy and in sheets, and might smell funny if you sniff it.

I don't know how to get rid of it in a fw tank, but first of all test for nitrate and phosphate. Is the tank planted or no? How much light does it get?

 

[7Enigma]

Low nitrAtes (ie bottomed out), and stagnant flow are the 2 main causes of BGA. If you are not planted your nitrAtes should not be the problem, my best guess would be an area in the tank of very little current. Easiest way to fix this is by redirecting your spraybars if you have a canister filter, or purchasing an appropriate sized PH to get the water moving.