I am having problems getting rid of algae in my 56 gallon column it is all over my plants, substrate, and glass. Right now I have 8 nerite snails and three otto's I am scraping it off as many things as I can but nothing seems to be helping. Just don't know what to do next.
Getting rid of algae
- Thread starter koeppen
- Start date
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Karay
Aquarium Advice FINatic
How long has the tank been set up? There's a number of thing that can cause algae. The two main things are too long of a light period or too much of light and the other is too much nutrients. This what I've been learning from the experts on this forum
If the (algae) is rusty brown color it is probably diatoms. It's caused by silicates in your water. The ottos should take care of some of it. Usually the diatomalgae will diminish as the tank matures, depending on the amount of silicate in the water. Does the algae rub off the plants and decos easily? If so it's probably just diatoms.
It is diatoms which are common in new setups. It will run it's course over time as the diatoms use up the available silicone in the water. Cutting your photoperiod down to 6 hours a day will help alot. Also if they drive you nuts you can always add a couple nerite snails as they love diatoms. Plus the eat bio-film. green dust algae, and green spot algae (in fact they are the only algae eater capable of scraping off spot algae). I have them in all my tanks and love them. They can't breed in freshwater so you don't have to worry about a population explosion but female will lay eggs.
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