Attack of the Green Slime

[Oskie]

I've really had a fair amount of a green algae (?) bloom lately. I am due for a water change this weekend, but wondered if anyone has any suggestions.

It's like a green coating all over everything, rocks, sand and especially the glass.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[jacksonsmom25]

more water flow maybe? don't know just a guess!

 

[Sk8r]

Phosphate. You can have it and not detect it because it's bound up in the algae. 1 snail per gallon and a scad of tiny hermits will help you, but you have to watch the thready stuff: they can't eat the long stuff. They may clip it off at the roots, and it may float straight for the sticking point in your water flow, causing floods. Get it short for your cleaning crew and they should do the rest.

 

[Oskie]

Err..no thready stuff, this is literally a film that coats everything. I will get on the Phosphate and double my water changes. Any other thoughts?

Thanks

 

[natybug]

Does it look like (for lack of a better word) snot? Bubbles trapped in it?

Wondering if it could be dinoflagellates? Did I spell that right? Something to investigate anyway...

 

[Oskie]

Dawn,
No, not snot, more like a green film covering everything. I can easily scrap it off and even wipe it off with a sponge. Maybe my light is on too long. (10 hours I think) it a Giesemann with a 150 watt metal halide bulb

Steve

 

[bunsenburner]

Cange your charcoal or perhaps skim. I saw a really inexpensive link on seahorse.org to somebody raising lettuce nudibrachs. Really good bryopsis easters and it sounds to me like that may be the culprit.

 

[Oskie]

Thanks for the suggestion(s). I changed my charcoal last week but will get some more and do 2 water changes every week (till this clears up). I really like the nudibranch suggestion, always wanted one.

Thanks

 

[AquaEquestrian]

I have a Sea Hare and he is doing a number on the algae! I'd recommend getting one (or a lettuce nudibranch -- in the same category). He doesn't harm a thing and he's really cool looking.

http://www.etropicals.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=43&pCatId=2245

Sonya

 

[Oskie]

The dwarf Sea Hare looks pretty cool. I'll also take a look at the lettuce nudibranch but thanks to Matt I took apart my ehiem filter and found a pad I'd forgotten to change last time. I gave the whole thing a thorough cleaning and the water is already looking much better. I should know for sure tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

Steve

 

[SaltyDogg]

My little guy that I got that day when we were together on that trip is doing great as well....he is always moving around cleaning up stuff...I see him alot when the lights are on as well..

Bryan

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7150692#post7150692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquaEquestrian
I have a Sea Hare and he is doing a number on the algae! I'd recommend getting one (or a lettuce nudibranch -- in the same category). He doesn't harm a thing and he's really cool looking.

http://www.etropicals.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=43&pCatId=2245

Sonya

 

[Hedonist]

Maybe just remove the filter pad period? As a rule, things such as these and bioballs and even old charcoal can add to the NO3 after a while ...your filtering is basically done thru your rocks and LS..
Denise

 

[bunsenburner]

Working on trying to find lettuce nudi, but the person from NY who raised them is away.