green algae of some sort

kisscouple · 03/06/2006, 09:44 PM

I have green algae on the sides of my tank. It looks like someone threw powder on the glass but its green sorry but thats the best description i can come up with. What is it what causes it and how do I get rid of it? I have snails but they cant keep up with it. I clean it off and a couple days later its back. This stuff is driving me crazy!! Please help me
Thanks bill

Sk8r · 03/06/2006, 10:24 PM

That's probably going to be hair algae once it gets down onto the sand and rocks. It's a part of your tank that will surge out of control several times as the tank ages into maturity. A little feeds the copepods that feed the fish, etc. A lot is a pain and it can clog overflow teeth, so be alert once it starts floating. Look for threads of discussion on 'cleanup crew' and 'hair algae' and you will find suggestions for critters that eat it. You may need glass-specializing snails and a floating side scrubber magnet at this point.

Blown 346 · 03/06/2006, 11:33 PM

Sounds just like normal algae growth, I have had tanks for over 9 years and you will always get the algae film on the glass.

kisscouple · 03/07/2006, 04:17 PM

Ok thanks guys guess I'll live with it

tag · 03/07/2006, 04:20 PM

magnetic cleaners are your friend

03/06/2006, 09:44 PM	#1
kisscouple Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Palestine, Illinois Posts: 144	green algae of some sort I have green algae on the sides of my tank. It looks like someone threw powder on the glass but its green sorry but thats the best description i can come up with. What is it what causes it and how do I get rid of it? I have snails but they cant keep up with it. I clean it off and a couple days later its back. This stuff is driving me crazy!! Please help me Thanks bill

03/06/2006, 10:24 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	That's probably going to be hair algae once it gets down onto the sand and rocks. It's a part of your tank that will surge out of control several times as the tank ages into maturity. A little feeds the copepods that feed the fish, etc. A lot is a pain and it can clog overflow teeth, so be alert once it starts floating. Look for threads of discussion on 'cleanup crew' and 'hair algae' and you will find suggestions for critters that eat it. You may need glass-specializing snails and a floating side scrubber magnet at this point. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/06/2006, 11:33 PM	#3
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Sounds just like normal algae growth, I have had tanks for over 9 years and you will always get the algae film on the glass.

03/07/2006, 04:17 PM	#4
kisscouple Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Palestine, Illinois Posts: 144	Ok thanks guys guess I'll live with it

03/07/2006, 04:20 PM	#5
tag Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 133	magnetic cleaners are your friend