I have a fish tank wierd algae problem?

Question

I always get algae in my tropical fish tank and its normal for me, I clean it out, it's all good. But lately there is a different kind of algae-type stuff growing inside the tank. Normally my algae is in colour of green with a washed-out tint of brown. Now it's completely green, does not stick to the wall as much as regular algae, comes off in a web-like fashion, looks like a very thick green spiderweb, spreads pretty fast it seems and I'm just wondering what is with this anoying stuff... it comes off easily but I'm wondering if it's a disease or virus...

I must admit I'm not the best caretaker for the few fish that I do have but in all my years of having fish I never seen this.

HELP!

Answer 1

It sounds as if you have a problem with cyanobacteria. See this photo for comparison: http://www.aquamax.de/Shop/Artikelbilder/Zusatzbilder/Algen%20im%20Aquarium_Blaualgen%20-%20Cyanobacteria_STUG_cyano1.jpg

As the name implies, this is a bacteria, not an algae and algae medications won't work against it. Some solutions include using your gravel vacuum and a scraper to get rid of much as possible, frequent water changes to reduce nutrients, and using aquatic plants to compete with it for nutrients. Also, be sure you aren't overfeeding your fish.

If this doesn't work, there is a chemical method of control, but this is a less desirable technique. Erythromycin will kill it (but also your beneficial bacteria, so you'll have to cycle your tank again and monitor ammonia and nitrite until the cycling is complete.

There is one chemical product (ReDox) that is supposed to work on cyano without disrupting the bacteria you want to keep. I've never tried it, so I can't endorse it's use - this link discusses it, and gives more info on the methods I've mentioned: http://www.athiel.com/lib3/redox.html

Answer 2

Yes, it is algae and I have had it before. It is like a dandelion, it just keeps coming back. However, I will tell you how I fixed it.
There are a couple ways you can actually do it. Depending on if you want ur fish to be healthy after treatment of the tank or not. First word of advice, DO NOT USE ANY CHEMICAL THAT YOU FIND IN THE PET STORE THAT WILL ELIMINATE ALGAE. All of them will damage the fishes gills and eventually kill them. I learned this the hard way. Just dont do it while there are fish in the tank.
The best way to do it is to remove all plastic plants. Scrub and boil them, not on high heat. (If you have real plants in there, particularly moss balls, then they are giving you the problem. Live plants are not for tanks under 15 gallons.) If not, then remove all decoration, scrub and boil. Change the rocks out, and replace them. DO NOT WASTE ANY OF THE TANK WATER. Unless it is visibly green, becaus it is already cycled. Scrub the tank walls and (make sure you are doing all of this with your fish in another tank or bucket or something) wash it out completely.
Lay your rocks down, replace the decorations and put the water back in the tank, (unless it is visibly green, then treat with the chemical called Cycle once a week to help re-cycle the tank without killing fish) and be sure that you do not turn the light on in the tank for the next two weeks. (helps to kill anything that may have been left behind)
More than 8-10 hours of light a day increases growth speed of this stuff, so you may want to watch how long you leave it on.
Unless you take these procedures, you are likely to have the problem for a very long time.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

How big is your tank and what type of fish do you have. How long do you leave the fish tank between cleanings. My dad has a big fish tank, I think it's like a 60 galloon one. He had gold fish and koi in it with fresh water plants and some plastic rocks. My dad would leave it until everybody in the house started complaining about the smell, we could bearly see the fish thourgh the sides of the tank. I never seen the algae come off in spider web shapes, but it could just be the food that the fish are not eatting decomposing. I would go ask somebody at the local pet store about it.

Answer 4

Sounds like hair algae--just like any algae, its spores are in the water and tank conditions encourage it to grow. You can just twirl it with a chopstick or q-tip (or anything)--like spaghetti--and remove it. You won't be able to get all of it and you'll have to continually do this as you see it growing. Yamato (aka Amano) shrimp and other algae-eating shrimp eat this stuff when it isn't horribly thick (they're small inverts with no pinchers so fish will kill the shrimp, and they can't eat a whole lot real fast because they are just small guys but in weeks they can get the stuff under control).

Answer 5

Green algae is goos, Brown algae is bad. If it's green, you're okay, Scrape and change the water. Also, is your tank next to a window? If it is, this could account for your unusally high amounts of algae. Sunshine (or UV light) makes algae grow more.

Answer 6

copperhead has a good point with the algae, however I've never seen it start as spiderwebby. however spiderwebby algae is still just blue green algae, just in smaller spore sizes. If it is almost invisable and comes off in a green cloud like light cotton candy from the walls of your tank, it is just blue green algae.

Check the temperatures of your tank to ensure your heater isn't overheating the water now that the temperatures are warming up. need more on algae, feel free to email or repost

Answer 7

String algae is my guess, if its green its good. I haven't ever seen it in my tanks before so its just a guess. Are the fish ok? If they are acting normal I wouldn't worry, wipe it with the scraper. Check your nitrate levels, they could be too high. High nitrates can weaken the immune system of fish leaving them open to disease. You know we are going to tell you, clean your tank a little more often! I wouldn't sweat it, unless your fish show signs of stress.
To the post above... how are you going to get best answer with "dunno". Dunno, then don't answer. It doesn't help anyone.

Answer 8

dunno