What is this stuff???

maire · 02-19-2005, 09:05 AM

My husband and I bought live plants for our fish tank for Christmas gift to each other. Anubias, ancharis, cabomba, crypts and Hpongetons (am not sure of all spellings)

All doing well in all of the tanks...suddenly I am finding some very dark bright green stuff on the cabomba. It is very fine strands. Almost can not see it until it turns green but now it is covering the whole cabomba plant.

It reminds me of the old fashioned angel hair that we used to put on christmas trees but it is a plant or something...

I pulled it off and washed all the tank plants....thought it was gone but now i am seeing it back again

What is it???

Is it dangerous to my plants and fish?

What do I do if it is?

DavidDoyle · 02-19-2005, 12:06 PM

It is algae. The cause is an imbalance between nutrients/light/co2. It is not harmful, only unsightly.

Milo · 02-19-2005, 12:54 PM

You can get some otos or algae eating shrimp to get rid of it.

turtlehead · 02-19-2005, 03:16 PM

otos and algae eating shrimp don't eat bga

MyraVan · 02-21-2005, 04:33 AM

bga = blue green algae? I don't think I've had any yet, but as far as I knew, blue green algae is a kind of slimy stuff. maire desribes fine strands. That sounds more like hair algae, which your typical algae eating critter (fish, shrimp, etc) will eat with glee.

midiamin · 02-22-2005, 03:40 AM

There are a few things that cause algae. Overfeeding, too much light are the most common. When combined there are major problems. Make sure you gravel vac once a week for a while and minimize light to 6-8 hours a day if the aquarium is getting indirect lighting from a window. No more than 11 hours if no other light source.

When feeding a little 3-4 times a day is better than a lot 1-2 times a day. Feed them just enough until they stop eating. Any extra, use a net to scoop it out. Good luck with you problem.

Have no fear, the Plantman cometh.................................

**Damon** · 02-22-2005, 06:20 AM

Either hair algae or staghorn algae. Do you have a fertilizing schedule? What are you dosing? Tank size? Lighting? Filtration? Waterchange schedule? Fish load? PH, GH, KH, NO3, PO4? All these readings will help us get a better handle on things.

02-19-2005, 09:05 AM	#1
maire Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10	What is this stuff??? My husband and I bought live plants for our fish tank for Christmas gift to each other. Anubias, ancharis, cabomba, crypts and Hpongetons (am not sure of all spellings) All doing well in all of the tanks...suddenly I am finding some very dark bright green stuff on the cabomba. It is very fine strands. Almost can not see it until it turns green but now it is covering the whole cabomba plant. It reminds me of the old fashioned angel hair that we used to put on christmas trees but it is a plant or something... I pulled it off and washed all the tank plants....thought it was gone but now i am seeing it back again What is it??? Is it dangerous to my plants and fish? What do I do if it is?

02-19-2005, 12:06 PM	#2
DavidDoyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 89 Posts: 497	Re: What is this stuff??? It is algae. The cause is an imbalance between nutrients/light/co2. It is not harmful, only unsightly.

02-19-2005, 12:54 PM	#3
Milo Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 33	Re: What is this stuff??? You can get some otos or algae eating shrimp to get rid of it.

02-19-2005, 03:16 PM	#4
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 203	otos and algae eating shrimp don't eat bga __________________ http://glassaqua.tk/ - finally got off my lazy rear and did something

02-21-2005, 04:33 AM	#5
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	Re: What is this stuff??? bga = blue green algae? I don't think I've had any yet, but as far as I knew, blue green algae is a kind of slimy stuff. maire desribes fine strands. That sounds more like hair algae, which your typical algae eating critter (fish, shrimp, etc) will eat with glee.

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02-22-2005, 03:40 AM	#6
midiamin Fishy Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21	Re: What is this stuff??? There are a few things that cause algae. Overfeeding, too much light are the most common. When combined there are major problems. Make sure you gravel vac once a week for a while and minimize light to 6-8 hours a day if the aquarium is getting indirect lighting from a window. No more than 11 hours if no other light source. When feeding a little 3-4 times a day is better than a lot 1-2 times a day. Feed them just enough until they stop eating. Any extra, use a net to scoop it out. Good luck with you problem. Have no fear, the Plantman cometh.................................

02-22-2005, 06:20 AM	#7
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: What is this stuff??? Either hair algae or staghorn algae. Do you have a fertilizing schedule? What are you dosing? Tank size? Lighting? Filtration? Waterchange schedule? Fish load? PH, GH, KH, NO3, PO4? All these readings will help us get a better handle on things. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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