Need help with algae epidemic

[Sasha]

Hello,
I have a 72 gallon bow front fresh water tank. I have plants in there with eco-complete instead of gravel. There are 3 angels, 3 dwarf gouramis, a pictus cat and a shrimp living in harmony.
Recently the tank grew some sort of algae that has consumed my tank. It is starting to kill my plants. It is very sheet-like. I've been taking everything out and scrubbing it off but it comes right back. I have the light on from morning to night. Please let me know what other info will help you to help me.

Thank you.
Sasha

[aqua_chem]

That's called Blue-Green algae, which is actually cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria has the ability to fix nitogen (gaseous N2), so it is able to thrive in low-nitrate environment.

Treatment:

Use Erythromycin to nuke it dead.
OR
3 Day Blackout

But you must, ABSOLUTELY must add more nitrate to your system. BGA appears because it can out compete nitrate-dependent species (plants, algaes) due to its fixation abilities. It will keep coming back.

[Sasha]

Originally Posted by aqua_chem

That's called Blue-Green algae, which is actually cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria has the ability to fix nitogen (gaseous N2), so it is able to thrive in low-nitrate environment.

Treatment:

Use Erythromycin to nuke it dead.
OR
3 Day Blackout

But you must, ABSOLUTELY must add more nitrate to your system. BGA appears because it can out compete nitrate-dependent species (plants, algaes) due to its fixation abilities. It will keep coming back.

Thank you for answering me. How do I put nitrate back into the tank? Do I still feed my fish during this process? And by blacking out the tank, do you mean to cover it with blankets so not a bit of light gets in there?

Thank you,
Sasha

[aqua_chem]

Blankets I would be wary of because it would change your heat dynamics and maybe cause mold. Most blackouts are done with black plastic from trash bags, etc.

I would look up more on blackouts as I have never personally had to do one. There is a lot of information on plantedtank.net regarding this method. I would probably recommend Erythromycin or another medicated cure, but you will have to read up on that. A 10g will be cheaper to medicate that a big tank.

As for adding nitrates, I know many fertilizer brands will have nitrate. Look on the front of the bottle and their should be three numbers separated with dashes, ie 1-1-3. This stands for the N-P-K content (nitrogen-phosphate-potassium) of the fertilizer. Find one with nitrogen.

I personally add dry ferts to my tank. I add straight KNO3.

[aqua_chem]

Also would like to add that erythomyacin will kill your BB if you leave it in, so include that in your planning if you take that route.

[Smcoyle87]

Aqua-Chem, I have a Red Slime problem in my planted tank right now. I've been reading up on it and found out that it too is a Cyanobacteria. I was wondering if you think this blackout method along with some sort of antibacterial would work for me?? thanks