slim algae dark green and thick

[Johnnyfishtanks]

slim algae dark green and thick is it safe its very slimy looking

[CRS Fan]

It sounds like it could be green slime algae (cyannobacteria). A picture would definitely help though.

Best Regards,

Stuart

[Johnnyfishtanks]

is this bad i think this is it just on the back of my log were the pump current hits the log

[Sharkbait]

I agree. It sounds like Cyanobacteria. It's a real pain in the @$$. I think I'm at the tail end of dealing with it (I hope). It can take a long time to get rid of.

Cyanobacteria is not an algae. Nothing eats it and it keeps coming back after you think you've gotten rid of it. It can cover plants, wood, and substrate.

Best way is to increase your nitrates. If all else fails and it's really a pain, try using Erythromycin - bacterial medicine. Some people say to black out your tank for 3 days, but apparently it just makes it worse. Plus, I'd rather not let the plants suffer. Also, how old are your bulbs? This may have something to do with it as well.

I talked with Brad at Island Pet Zone about this and he says that summer is a bad time for this stuff. It loves heat, and it's even worse if there's direct sunlight.

Keep up the water changes, remove as much as you can, increase your nitrates (slowly). It should go down in time.

PS: It's 'safe'...as in it doesn't harm fish. But it's a huge nuisance and can eventually cover your entire tank.

[CRS Fan]

It's not that hard to get rid of. I suggest siphoning off as much as you can, and then doing a 3 or 4 day *complete* blackout (tank covered, not just lights off). This should kill it off. It typically grows in areas of poor circulation and in conjunction with zero nitrates.

Best Regards,

Stuart

[AvianAquatics]

Yep, had this algae too. For me they only appear in my high light tanks and near the surface, in the other tanks, it's just plain green algae. I find a change in light bulb will kill it and it is also important to remove the infected plants (or they'd just grow back) and scrub the glass.

[Johnnyfishtanks]

why a change of light bulb help???
and lots of water changes help

[TCR]

I had some in a high flow corner but the flagtails ate it

[Johnnyfishtanks]

would plecos eat this stuff

[TCR]

my plec didnt touch it.. thats why i got rid of him

I was surprised the flagtails ate it tho

made me a flagtail lover