Thilligoss73
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I've had my 60-gallon community tank running for quite a while now (going on 3 years), but in the last year or so I've seen a gradual increase in this algae that I just can't get rid of. It's not the usual green-colored algae that I've normally seen in other tanks.....it's a dark, dark green...almost black color, and it's only on the tops of the plastic plant leaves. Also, the water is crystal clear....no green tint or cloudiness at all. Water parameters are all within the tolerance levels indicated on the test package...not the test strips, the real test-tube style test kit. I've tried reducing my lighting time to just 4-5 hours per day, and even gone so far as to leave the lights off for several days at a time. Nothing has seemed to slow this stuff down. I've tried Otos, snails, but nothing seems to eat this stuff at all. I eventually tried the liquid algae control additives, and those didn't slow this algae's roll at all. Nothing has deterred this algae. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of this stuff? Either algae eating creatures, chemical additives, etc? I'd rather not leave the lights off 24/7, but it seems that may be what it takes!