Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Is it ok to let algae grow in a tank?
Algae bad?
- Thread starter Bbush
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
HUKIT
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes, I personally like the look as it looks more natural.
OP
OP
Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I have some nice algae growing on my back glass but was a little concerned b/c I am having water quality issues (fin rot).
HUKIT
Aquarium Advice Addict
Algae like other live plants will consume nitrates. What kind of water quality problems are you having?
OP
OP
Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Continued fin rot lost about 10 fish in the last year. I read some where that cyno bacteria can be toxic and is red like my algae. Just making sure that that is not the issue b/c it looks sweet!
I am thinking about wiping it down, but I like the look of it.
I am thinking about wiping it down, but I like the look of it.
HUKIT
Aquarium Advice Addict
What is your current nitrate concentration?
OP
OP
Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I can never tell on the chart but over 40 last time I checked. Tap is under 40. I have been doing water changes pretty much every day for the last week. I will test again and post results later today.
HUKIT
Aquarium Advice Addict
I would be more concerned about yourself, the EPA has a law that drinking water can't be higher than 10ppm.
Basic Information about Nitrate in Drinking Water | Basic Information about Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants | US EPA
Basic Information about Nitrate in Drinking Water | Basic Information about Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants | US EPA
OP
OP
Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Could be. I just can't read the chart very well. 40 is where it changes from orange to red, and I can tell the difference.
OP
OP
Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Ok, results are in. Ph -8, nitrites -0, ammonia - .25, nitrates - 30 (down from 80 a week ago)
Tap is the same except ammonia looked a little greener - .5 & nitrates are 5.
Guess I just need to keep up the water changes. I am doing around 10 gallons daily. Should I do 20 gallons a day?
Tap is the same except ammonia looked a little greener - .5 & nitrates are 5.
Guess I just need to keep up the water changes. I am doing around 10 gallons daily. Should I do 20 gallons a day?
HUKIT
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'm not sure what tank size this is but prolonged exposure to nitrates would explain the fin rot. You need to perform enough water changes to keep the nitrates below 20ppm. I do 50-60% weekly on every tank as this keeps even some of heavily stocked tanks under 20ppm.
Last edited:
OP
OP
Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Sorry 56 gallon. I have been changing around 20 gallons. Then I dropped to around 15 gallons since I was doing them every day.
