Algae??

[Emerson]

Okay, I'm aggravated now. I was feeding Napoleon last night when I noticed something toward the back of his tank. At first I thought it was a reflection from one of his green plants against the back wall, but on closer inspection I discovered that it was a long, flowing piece of algae! (It was green, and silk-like. I'm assuming this is what algae looks like.) It was attached to one of his ornaments, and was just sort of floating in the water. I took out the ornament and rinsed it thoroughly in hot water, and it seems to be gone now. My question is this: how could his tank have algae in it, when it's not anywhere near a window? It's in a very dim corner, actually.

I've never had a problem with this before. Would a regular, incandescent light (15-watt) cause this? His tank light is on all day.

There isn't any other sign of algae anywhere. It isn't growing on anything that I can see. And this was odd; it wasn't actually ON the ornament -- it was attached to it, like hair. Ugh.

Just wondering what might have caused this, and how I can prevent it in the future. Also, is it harmful to fish?

Thanks!
sef

[BettaBGood]

Hi, sef

Your description of this "intruder" sounds like hair algae, which is harmless to fish, but can be a nuisance (especially if it gets out of control). It thrives on light & various nutrients in the water. (You can remove it by winding it around something like an old, clean toothbrush.) If Napoleon's light is on more than 10-12 hours at a time, try reducing the light.

On the brighter side, (no pun intended), sometimes it disappears as mysteriously at it appears! And, most green algae indicate good water quality! ;D

[Betta MVP]

most green algae indicate good water quality!

This is exactly what I was going to say GMTA, LOL. Just get rid of it as you find it if you don't like it, I wouldn't use any algae destroying chemicals. Some green algae in your tank is a good thing, unless you absolutely can't stand the look of it. Less time with the light on would definitely help, also live plants will too as they use up the nutrients that algae needs to grow. One more thing, watch your nitrate levels, this can also contribute.

[BettaBGood]

Well, you know, I would have mentioned high nitrates, too, BMVP, except I didn't think it would make any difference to you, sef. We know how lax you are about such matters - how do you live with yourself!? Poor, little, unkempt tanks...

( LOL! ;D sef, I'm sure you freaked when you saw that string-thing!)

[Rhyn]

When I had an algae problem, I got an otto algae eater to deal with it. Cute li'l guy. Hera loved him - they'd find a corner and sit right next to each other touching... So adorable. And then, she got sick and I put Perseus in the same tank as the otto.... Oops.

At any rate, the otto took care of the algae problem really well. So well that I kept wondeirng if he was getting enough to eat. I read later, tho, that they prefer to be in groups. But mine seemed happy enough with Hera... I dunno. It's worth looking into at least. And they're cute.

[Emerson]

BettaBGood said:

Well, you know, I would have mentioned high nitrates, too, BMVP, except I didn't think it would make any difference to you, sef. We know how lax you are about such matters - how do you live with yourself!? Poor, little, unkempt tanks...

( LOL! ;D sef, I'm sure you freaked when you saw that string-thing!)

I did freak! I had ever seen that before, and naturally yanked that ornament out of the tank so quick it made little Napoleon's head spin (well, not actually spin, but you get the idea.) LOL

I have always done weekly partial changes on Napoleon's tank, but now I'm wondering if I'm just not getting the substrate clean enough. It's a constant battle with that goofy turkey baster, and even though I go over the gravel two and even three times, I know there is debris that I'm missing. You can only suck up so much stuff with that thing, and some of it spills out when you bring it to the surface. That, or a piece of gravel gets trapped in it and it won't suck up anything. Grrrr.

Do you guys think I should start using a regular gravel vaccum? Maybe a very small one? And can I do that with Nappy in the tank? The biggest problem I have with cleaning his tank is that the brilliant design of it does not enable to you fully remove the lid. Talk about a challenge! I can't fit anything large into it, including big cleaning utensils.

Anyway, I'm thinking this could be part of the problem. That, and leaving his light on all day. We just started doing that not too long ago.

I ordered a nitrate test kit. I hadn't thought it really necessary in the past because I was so faithful about water changes and cleaning, but it looks like this might be something I need to watch out for. Bad Betta mommy!

sef

[Betta MVP]

Hey sef, I could have sworn that BBG and I just said algae means you have GOOD water conditions, not bad LOL. Algae doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong, it means you are doing things right....GOOD betta mommy!! ;D

[BettaBGood]

sef,

You're a GREAT betta mom!
(Remember, this is a sign of HEALTHY water conditions.)

Since you recently started leaving Napoleon's light on all day, I'll bet that newly-lengthened, source of brilliance was just enough to cause the flourish.

Nitrates are not known to be toxic to fishies, but testing for them works as an "eye opener" to the amount of waste breakdown in the tank. However, high levels will have an eventually have effect on your overall water chemistry, which is stressful for fish, and could lead to a serious algae outbreak. If you nip this algae creep in the bud & nitrates are kept at <10ppm, you'll be in good shape.

Regarding gravel cleaning - I feel your turkey baster pain. Mine barely reach the bottom of a MiniBow. They do the trick from one full, weekly water change to the next, but might not for a cycled tank. Perhaps you could concentrate on thoroughly suctioning a small section at a time, but do it more often (?). Do you remove any uneaten food right away? (HA! - like these guys ever leave anything ...LOL!)

Seriously, just grab & remove those "greens" as you see them, cut Nappy's light back a bit, and you'll be sleeping better at night in no time!

[Emerson]

Come on, BettaMVP and BettaBGood, you would both deny me my right to beat up on myself? ;D LOL. Seriously, I didn't mean to spaz out about this...I got the "algae=good water" part, but then somebody mentioned nitrates and it dawned on me that I've never even TESTED for nitrates! Either way, I need to start doing that.

(Hey, maybe it's not hair algae at all! Maybe it's just a very bad toupee!)

I do need to figure out something else with the turkey baster, though. It's just not cutting it. (And we won't even discuss how big Napoleon's poo was after hubby lobbed him a few Wardley's a week or so ago!) I do remove any uneaten food (which is a very rare thing, indeed!), and try to really get down into the gravel and stir it all up and suck, suck, suck (pardon the expression). But for a 5 gallon cycled tank, the turkey baster is clearly in over its head.

As am I.

sef

[Betta MVP]

I use this great Python hose that is directly hooked up to the tap

Oh yeah, I love my Python, it's the greatest thing to happen to fishkeeping EVER! The only problem is that if you use it on five gallon tanks or smaller, it takes out too much water before you can vacuum all of the gravel, even with the smallest attachment. Since sef has a 5 and two 2.5s, it probably wouldn't work well for her.

sef,
Testing nitrates is a good way to know if your water changes are sufficient even if you don't have algae and it would also be a good idea to test and see if nitrates are present in the water to begin with. I have nitrates straight from the tap which is a total pain and causes my tanks to get nasty brown algae (diatoms). This is the main reason I started using the Amquel plus which does help. Count yourself lucky that you don't get this ugly brown crap, which although easy to wipe off, seems to coat everything .

I don't think the turkey baster would get everything out either. You should get (and learn to use LOL) a gravel vacuum. This would not only do a better job of cleaning the gravel, but it would probably save you a LOT of time. I know you had a rough time getting the squeeze bulb one to work, but a regular gravel siphon is really not that tough to use. If you get one, get one with the smallest diameter tube so it doesn't take the water out too quickly. You also don't have to suck on the end to get the siphon going (yuck! ), all you have to do is submerge it in the tank to fill it with water and hold your finger over the small end and stick it in a bucket. Then dig/twist it down in the gravel all the way to the bottom of the tank, you would be amazed how much crud comes out!

Come on, BettaMVP and BettaBGood, you would both deny me my right to beat up on myself?

Yep! Because algae IS normal, you DIDN'T do anything wrong, and you are a GREAT BETTA MOMMY!! LOL

[BettaBGood]

sef,

If you want the Lee's siphon back, I can return it (has not yet been used) - I know how much you loved it. However, it is really designed for siphoning water only (unless you could find a vacuum tube to attach. Hmmm, maybe Hoover makes something...j/k)

I have a small gravel vacuum that I use on my 5 gal MiniBow, (which, BTW, has become ill - I think Neon Tetra Disease! ). BMVP is right, it is amazing how much debris is lifted from the gravel. I got it at Wally for a few bucks (well-spent).

[Emerson]

BettaBGood said:

sef,

If you want the Lee's siphon back, I can return it (has not yet been used) - I know how much you loved it. However, it is really designed for siphoning water only (unless you could find a vacuum tube to attach. Hmmm, maybe Hoover makes something...j/k)

I have a small gravel vacuum that I use on my 5 gal MiniBow, (which, BTW, has become ill - I think Neon Tetra Disease! ). BMVP is right, it is amazing how much debris is lifted from the gravel. I got it at Wally for a few bucks (well-spent).

No, no, that's okay; you can keep the Lee's siphon. PLEASE keep it! LOL

I think I'll run over to the LFS on Monday and see what he has to offer. Somebody on here once mentioned finding something that looked like an overgrown turkey baster for aquariums, but I can't find the post and can't remember who wrote it.

Anybody-?

sef

[BettaBGood]

Actually, believe it or not, sef, I think it was me that once saw the giant turkey baster! If I'm not mistaken, it was a Lee product.

I will swing by Pets Plus Warehouse during lunch today & see if they still have it, how much $, etc. The store is getting ready to relocate, though, so things will be in disarray.... I'll let you know if I find it!

[Emerson]

BettaBGood said:

Actually, believe it or not, sef, I think it was me that once saw the giant turkey baster! If I'm not mistaken, it was a Lee product.

I will swing by Pets Plus Warehouse during lunch today & see if they still have it, how much $, etc. The store is getting ready to relocate, though, so things will be in disarray.... I'll let you know if I find it!

Sounds like a bad, late night movie: RETURN OF THE GIANT TURKEY BASTER. ;D Okay, you'll have to forgive me. I'm having some tank cycling anxiety right now.

If you can find one of those wonderful objects, please let me know...I have looked all over for one, including the kitchen section of every chain store within a 15 mile radius.

Thanks!
sef

[Emerson]

Are any of the chemical algae removers effective and safe? I've seen a couple, but wasn't sure how well they work and am always a little hesitant about adding unnecessary stuff to the water.

Thanks!
sef