Just did a water change, suddenly A LOT of hair algae.

[parker002]

Let me start off by saying I don't obsess about algae. I have a 55G tank full of crypts and Java ferns, all of which have a fine layer of hair algae on them about 1/4" thick.

However, this morning I noticed several patches of algae that were "flowing" with the current, 3-4 inches long or more.

I just did a water change on Saturday. I changed 15G of water plus cleaned my canister filter sponges and filter pads. I don't clean the Matrix or the bags of Ammo-Carb, I just set them off to the side while I'm cleaning the canister. I added a pond Wondershell after adding back treated tap water. I treat with 5mL of Prime for 15G of water. Note that this is my normal cleaning/water change process and I do it every 4-6 weeks.

I tested the water just now and nitrates are ~10ppm - I would expect them to be low since I just did a water change. Nitrites are 0. Algae is thickest underneath the GroBeam lights, near the top of the tank but this growth is much more than normal.

Any idea why algae growth would explode all of the sudden? The only thing I've changed is the fish food - I'm feeding Paradigm Omnivore but I know I'm not overfeeding. If anything, I'm feeding less now than I was with the Spirulina 20 flakes. There's none left on the bottom when the fish are done. Plus, if I were overfeeding, wouldn't I see a nitrite/nitrate spike?

[Deleted]

Hi Parker,

It sounds like your phosphate level might be high (higher than usual)?
Our local tap water tests high for phosphates (I buy RO water - at 25 cents per gallon - and condition it for my fish)

I decided to give you a helpful answer this time (smile). Others can tell you know what to do to get rid of the annoying algae. If it is high phosphate, can Seachem Phos-Guard be used in a planted aquarium?

I read on another forum (before I joined here) what someone did to get rid of algae and it didn't sound too safe for fish.

Judy D.

P.S. I see that you use Prime.... Prime can lower oxygen level in your aquarium, so that may also have been a factor with the Melafix/Pimafix problem.

[Carl]

I would start looking at what has recently changed.

One is the food. While Paradigm is certainly excellent with high digestibility, it is also very concentrated so I personally find it easy to over feed.

Your change in filters may have had an affect that we are missing, although your nitrates are low.

The earlier suggestion about phosphates is definite parameter to look into. while Matrix is excellent for nitrates, it does little for phosphates.
Yes, Seachem Phos-Guard can be used with plants assuming phosphates are not low. Ditto for PhosZorb and similar products. Algone also removes some phophates.

P.S. I see that you use Prime.... Prime can lower oxygen level in your aquarium, so that may also have been a factor with the Melafix/Pimafix problem.

The use of Prime or any other water conditioner which are most all Redox Reducers are not a concern with this small an amount, especially in well circulated aquarium. This reduction that lowers oxygen is very temporary & 5 mL is not even a full dose for this size aquarium

Quote from Aquarium Water Conditioners from Aquarium Answers website:
It is also noteworthy that since these products are generally Redox Reducers, these products can temporarily lower available oxygen in the water. This is never a problem in an aquarium with even reasonably good water movement or aeration, HOWEVER if overused in a bowl with no circulation, this can deprive the fish of oxygen.

reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/04/aquarium-water-conditioners.html

Carl

[parker002]

Oct 6, 2014 14:13:02 GMT -5 @judy4fish said:

It sounds like your phosphate level might be high (higher than usual)?

It certainly could be high phosphate levels, although I'm not sure why my water (we're on rural water) would suddenly be high in phosphates. They aren't treating the fields post-harvest (yet) and we've had little to no rain to contribute to run-off. Plus, our water would normally be high in phosphates AND nitrates - I've already tested the water for nitrates and they aren't high at all.

Oct 6, 2014 14:48:03 GMT -5 Carl said:

One is the food. While Paradigm is certainly excellent with high digestibility, it is also very concentrated so I personally find it easy to over feed.

In the 55G, I'm feeding a dime-to-quarter-sized piece twice per day - we have 6 full grown angels, a Syndontis that is about 8 inches long, and more than a dozen other smaller fish. I'm feeding a similarly-sized ratio in the 14G Endler tank and it doesn't exhibit the same algae bloom.

Oct 6, 2014 14:48:03 GMT -5 Carl said:

Your change in filters may have had an affect that we are missing, although your nitrates are low.

The filter change was in the 14G Endler tank, not in the 55G. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

One thing I didn't mention is that I'm running Seachem Purigen, not sure what (if anything) that affects.

[parker002]

I think I'm going to buy a bottle of Excel and dose it double strength to help kill the algae.

[devonjohnsgard]

Evening Parker.

I think what I have figured out about hair algae, is that it comes down to three things.

Nitrates, Co2, phosphates, and lighting.

You said your Nitrates were fine and said the algae is thickest under the lights. Since you haven't changed the lights (I'm thinking), that leaves Co2 to me.

What are you doing for Co2 now? Hair algae thrives in low Co2 environments, well fluctuating Co2 really... which with all the plants you have, I would think your doing something for Co2?

Double dose Excel is a good idea. That's what I would do, then make sure to stay consistent with Co2 after the algae is under control.

Also, for the Purigen. Carl suggestions not using it in a planted tank unless using something like NPX Bioplastics at the same time. Unless he thinks otherwise, I don't think you need it.

"normally the use of Purigen in planted aquariums is not suggested, but with NPX Bioplastics this would be an exception"
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/07/aquarium-nitrates.html

Hope this helps. Glad you were already thinking about getting a bottle of Excel.

[parker002]

I actually don't do any CO2 right now, I only have crypts and Java ferns and they do quite well without it. I bought a couple of small bottles of Excel (he was sold out of the big ones) last night.

Interesting about the Purigen. I originally ran it because I thought I might have been contaminated during a painting job recently.

[Carl]

Interesting about the Purigen. I originally ran it because I thought I might have been contaminated during a painting job recently.

If I read correctly, Purigen was not in use before the out break of hair algae, but in use when the algae outbreak started?

Since Purigen is a water polisher and also alters Redox, this can affect water parameters ina negative way too (this is not to say Purigen is a 'bad' product, but it has its negatives too).

From Aquarium Answers; Filter Media:
However Purigen can affect Redox, although Purigens affect on Redox is not as severe as products such as Boyd's Chemi-Pure or "THE" Poly Pad, so the addition of mineral cations such as the use of Wonder Shells while using this product is greatly encouraged!!

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/05/aquarium-filter-media.html

Also this article from Aquarium Answers about algae Control might be helpful:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2008/04/aquarium-algae.html


Carl

[parker002]

The Purigen has been in use for a few months - I bought it when they were staining the kitchen cabinets and I had those fish die. I just did a quick search and those posts were in early July, so I probably started using it before the 1st of August.

So while it is true that the Purigen was running when this current outbreak started, it was running for several weeks prior to this outbreak as well.

I don't know if you remember or not but I lost some fish to strange circumstances and there was some concern it might be contaminants from the cabinetry work going on. I added Ammo-Carb and Purigen to my setup. Prior to that, I didn't run any carbon or other chemical filtration at all. But like I said, that started in July so I'm not thinking the Purigen or Ammo-Carb has anything to do with my current issue.

[parker002]

I'm completely out of Excel now until my shipment arrives.

I'm not sure it's even going to work. I'm strongly considering just killing it all off with some Algae Fix.

[Carl]

Oct 7, 2014 13:06:45 GMT -5 parker002 said:

I'm completely out of Excel now until my shipment arrives.

I'm not sure it's even going to work. I'm strongly considering just killing it all off with some Algae Fix.

I would wait for the Flourish Excel, since the Algae Fix can be harsh on the environment

BTW, I do remember the potential "contaminants from the cabinetry" issue.

I have my doubts as to the Purigen, but I feel everything must be eliminated as a potential cause

carl

[parker002]

Should I remove the Purigen and Ammo-Carb and return to my original setup? Should I get a phosphate test kit?

[Carl]

Oct 7, 2014 14:08:06 GMT -5 parker002 said:

Should I remove the Purigen and Ammo-Carb and return to my original setup? Should I get a phosphate test kit?

While these products are likely not the problem, I think it would still be a good idea as a process of elimination.

Yes, a Phosphate kit would be a good idea


Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquariumtestkit.html#phosphate

Carl

[parker002]

I noticed last night that some of the algae was turning white and losing its color. It appears that adding Excel is working.

That being said, I went ahead and removed both the Purigen and the Ammo-Carb I was using. I don't normally run chemical filtration so I likely won't run them again unless I have an issue or have to medicate...

[devonjohnsgard]

Oct 10, 2014 13:23:38 GMT -5 parker002 said:

I noticed last night that some of the algae was turning white and losing its color. It appears that adding Excel is working.

That being said, I went ahead and removed both the Purigen and the Ammo-Carb I was using. I don't normally run chemical filtration so I likely won't run them again unless I have an issue or have to medicate...

I guess if you see results this quick, it means it was due to low Co2? Glad it worked!

[parker002]

I imagine it's because the aldehydes in the Excel are toxic to algae, especially in a 4x dose.

[parker002]

Just an FYI but I've cut back the Excel to the normal dose, every other day, and my algae is all but gone.

For right now, I'm not going to add back the Ammo Carb but I may at some point. The Purigen has been bleached and stowed away for the next time I need it.

[Deleted]

This is for Parker,

I have only tried to recharge/clean a Purigen pouch once. I used sooooo much water conditioner and still couldn't get the bleach smell out (can't remember now how much -- but do remember soaking in conditioned water -- rinsing thoroughly -- soaking again in conditioned water -- and rinsing thoroughly). I was afraid to use that pouch again. Plus -- I really didn't have a good place to put the pouch while it was soaking in the bleach (the smell of bleach irritates my sinuses).

I know I didn't use my Prime as that was almost as expensive as just buying more Purigen. I used a conditioner I wanted to use up anyways (won't mention the name as that isn't important).

I buy the 250 ml size and do reuse the original fabric pouches. My aquariums don't have plants... The Purigen does help to keep nitrates low.

Judy D.

[parker002]

Interesting.

Mine actually didn't come completely clean (it floated on me) so I was going to re-bleach it. I just figured I would wait to soak it in dechlorinator until after that, so I just rinsed it really well and dried it. It doesn't smell like bleach at all.

[Deleted]

For Parker....

Now I am wondering if I even let it completely dry out? I had more Purigen on hand, so I decided to play it safe. The dechlorinator I used was very cheap... I was just using it up. It was a dechlorinator/ammonia remover combination (not a major name brand -- online retailer's own product). I had a problem with pH drops when I used it (their product) so stopped using it for my aquarium. The online retailer gave me credit for it.... and told me I didn't need to mail it back.

Thanks for "jostling" my memory (that was summer 2011).

Cheers,

Judy D