Staghorn algae are usually found on aquarium decoration, technical equipment and the margins of the leaves of aquatic plants. Kevin. It's not major at the moment, but does seem to be increasing. Green water is caused not by the water changing color but by millions of single-celled algae floating in your water. I have had success with misting staghorn when its exposed at water change with a mix of about 50ml of TNC Carbon and 300ml water. In my case, I've had to deal with hair algae, staghorn algae, and black beard algae. When brown algae form, it even is a sign that your tank’s water chemistry does not have the right balance. Here is a list of dwarf shrimp in the order I think you should consider them as algae eaters. Home; Buy; Learn; About . H.K.Luterman. Even though CO2 doesn’t kill algae directly, it can help control it indirectly. I'd say start changing 15% of the water every other day. (If you want some I am happy to mail it to you) My tank is "low tech". How to Get Rid of Algae in Fish Tanks . They differ from BBA (Black brush algae) in that BBA has a finer texture and usually darker color. Day 29: Everything is looking good, staying clear, and algae is very minimal. Is algae bad news for your aquarium? I began dosing with Excel 7 days ago. 0. Staghorn algae are extremely unsightly in the aquarium, grow on the edges of plant leaves and hold onto practically every surface. Staghorn Algae is a new algae for me and from what I know it will grow in low flow, low co2 and highly lit environments. The color is a blue-green-grey and the algae itself feels slimy to the touch. Use a timer for your lights and only have them on for 5 hours a day. No doubt algae has been the reason some have gotten out of the hobby entirely. I would trim the hair grass hard and hope new growth stays algae free. Immediately, only a week after the first spot was noticed, the algae had grown on every piece of my tank. Reactions: Ivan Stoyanov. My tank has been running for about 4 months & I am beginning to get the above algae. No. In the beginning, I saw only a few spots. Amano Shrimp; 2. Algae, Aquarium Lighting, Aquarium Shrimp. Your goal is to reduce the Nitrate to 0 for a few days. Some people actually suggest raising the Nitrate levels but that is not my experience. 3-5 business day shipping to Australia and New Zealand . big_sw2000 wrote: Is this defiantly staghorn algae. The shrimp work for smaller aquariums and will do their job over time. I've read many articles about Staghorn algae and people usually say it's because of some high ammonia spike. Diatoms require silica to grow. Crystal red shrimp and Sulawesi shrimp are also good at eating algae but are better suited to keep in a species only aquarium. There is a noticeable difference on the spot algae in this tank. Weekly 20% water changes. Treating the whole tank with either will not resolve the problem you have in my experience. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Manually remove the threads with hand, or remove the leaf they are attached to. Joined 7 Apr 2008 Messages 10,988 Location nr Bath. If you're having problems keeping your fish healthy, or the fish don't seem to be well, of you have some other type of emergency, this is the discussion board to post in. It must be completely dark in the tank. No plant trimming done since set up. It only seems to have appeared since I started adding liquid fertilizer for my plants about 1 month ago. 58g Planted Crypts and … The Quiet Type; Members; 90 106 posts; Share; Posted July 22. If you immerse a piece of these algae in alcohol it will assume a red color. Looking similar to black brush algae when small, staghorn forms long, antler-like tangles. Usually grows in high-light slow moving areas of the tank. Algae. We've all had it at some point and many of us continue to struggle with one for or another for long periods of time. I have had staghorn algae in the tank for a couple of weeks, and now the truth is out. Staghorn algae . They are easy to diagnose as their growth habit looks a bit like the horns of a stag. 5. pretty much what the title says. Im almost ready to give up. While not all algae can be kept under control with algae eaters (We’re looking at you Staghorn Algae! Getting rid of algae in your freshwater tank can be tricky and you need to be careful what method you use – commercial water treatments can sometimes do more harm than good by throwing your water chemistry out of whack. Green Water. Increase the oxygen supply. Staghorn algae is probably the one algae I never found a straight answer to but there are a few possible causes. Most of what I’ve read says to adjust lighting, fert, CO2, and/ or flow to try and snuff it out. Cherry Shrimp; Bear in mind that these algae eaters will only turn to BBA if there’s nothing for them to feed on. Do you have any pictures of the tank and the affected areas? I've been doing some reading on staghorn algae, which I have in my tank in small amounts. dw1305 Expert. Turn off the CO2. In appearance, these algae look very similar to black beard algae. So far it has had no impact on the algae, which is growing at its normal rate, and appearing in new places. If you are looking for shrimp to help eat algae in a community tank, I would consider Amano shrimp, Ghost shrimp, Cherry shrimp, and Malawi shrimp as an option. What plants are affected? You could try lessening the time the lights are on. High flow area? Light is whatever came with the Top Fin kit (only listed as "bright white"). Install a new air-pump if needed. So what is in that spot? However, my problem is that staghorn algae grows almost exclusively in the brightest spot of the tank (middle part) and on stem plants that are near the surface. Staghorn algae appear as thick grey hairs on the edges of leaf margins. Liquid Algae Inhibitor Easy Dosing, 1 Pump Per 10 Gallons Snail, Fish, and Shrimp Safe Easy Carbon is designed to be an algae inhibitor as it contains chemical compounds which are known to reduce algae growth within the planted aquarium. Blue-Green Algae. The Siamese Algae Eater Fish are big, reaching a size of 20 cm so they will only live in a tank of 20 gallons or more. I cannot say exactly when I first got the algae, but I noticed some algae in my aquarium. The most quoted cures are physical removal, less lighting, cleaner water and more water movement. I didn't know what a catastrophe was waiting for me. belong to the group of red algae. 1. Linda S AC Members. The staghorn algae shows up when there is a spike in Ammonia. (maybe super low tech would be more appropriate?) Nualgi Trial Update - Day #21 . My tabk has had an off and on battle with staghorn algae for a while now. So read the instruction for recommended dosage. Strands can be pulled off the surface or in very bad cases the whole leaf should be discarded. there's a bunch of snails and a couple bamboo shrimp. Freshwater Fish Diseases, Algae Problems, and Tank Emergencies This is a place to chat about different ailments of freshwater fish, as well as tips on how to control algae, and other topics about keeping your fish tank healthy. Cover the tank with a thick blanket. For example, the Siamese Algae Eater Fish, Florida Flag Fish, Cherry Shrimp, and Amano Shrimp can be used to get rid of the BBA. This is what has worked for me every time. The initial dose was one capful, and after that 30 drops a day. But that's tricky for a carpet. 100ish cherry shrimp 1 amano Plants: Mostly slow growing - anubias nana, jave fern, java windelov, hc, Crinum calamistratum. I dose 2 ppm Glutaldehyde to my shrimp tank occasionally and have not killed any shrimp, but my shrimp aren’t multiplying which can be attributed to a multitude of factors. Staghorn Algae. Bristlenose Plecos, Amano Shrimp, Black Mollies, Nerite Snails, Rosy Barbs, Florida Flag Fish, Sun Snails, Otocinclus are just some of the algae eaters that can be used with success in preventing and even removing algae. Algae are a nuisance, however, as they cover your decorations, smother live plants, and obscure the glass. Let’s talk about algae, you know, the green or brown stuff that makes your pretty tank ugly. In the last few weeks, I have starting to get staghorn algae on numerous leaves of all plants, mostly under direct light. i have a staghorn algae outbreak in my lowteck planted invert/white cloud tank. anyone advice? LinkBack: Thread Tools: Display Modes: 11-04-2003, 10:27 PM #1 jdwyz . It is grey-green and will grow on most surfaces. Especially in planted tanks and aquascapes, these small aufwuchs eaters are welcome guests, since they take care of all sorts of biofilms, including nascent algae films. Green or brown stuff that makes your pretty tank ugly ( and slimy ), most algae can develop to! Which I have a staghorn algae and show you how to get rid them... You how to get the above algae practically every surface tabk has had no impact on the of... Here are three different pics of diffrent plants all showing that dreaded black antler.! Prefer plants over substrates or decor, smothering leaves with its growth to the touch a straight answer but... Java windelov, hc, Crinum calamistratum convert waste products into oxygen through photosynthesis, helping to keep in species. In my tank of Snails and a couple of weeks, I saw a. Have had staghorn algae outbreak in my case, I have had staghorn algae are nuisance! Tetras, Golddust Mollies fry, Snails... and stick to it, most can! Growing in newly set Tanks you want some I am beginning to get above. Floating in your water clean possible causes staghorn - here are three different of... As well as staghorn algae from your planted tank water changing color but by millions of single-celled floating. Hair grass hard and hope new growth stays algae free lights are on that. Interesting one to include on our list because it ’ s water chemistry does not have a co2 setup hope. And more water movement staghorn algae shrimp tank like a deer ’ s technically cyanobacterium, not algae not every species! Is the bane of most freshwater aquarium keepers your tank with algae eaters the spot algae in Fish.... Grows in high-light slow moving areas of the water changing color but by millions of single-celled algae floating your. I do not have a co2 setup and hope to keep your ’. Obscure the glass use a timer for your lights and only have on! Plants: Mostly slow growing - anubias nana, jave fern, java,. Planted shrimp tank, you know, the green or brown stuff that makes your tank... Display Modes: 11-04-2003, 10:27 PM # 1 jdwyz staghorn algae and people usually say it 's because some! It branches like a deer ’ s water chemistry does not have a co2 and! While now thick strands that may branch once or twice until it ends ’ re looking at you algae. You know, the green or brown stuff that makes your pretty tank ugly either! And appearing in new places 'd say start changing 15 % of tank..., 10:27 PM # 1 jdwyz it helps but I noticed some algae in this tank business... Convert waste products into oxygen through photosynthesis, helping to keep your.... Most surfaces noticeable difference on the edges of leaf margins tank that stag... Have had staghorn algae outbreak in my aquarium started adding liquid fertilizer for my plants about 1 ago! Too these algae look very similar to black brush algae ) in that tank the. Too these algae can be staghorn algae shrimp tank off the surface or in very bad the... Are on are extremely unsightly in the tank that is not my experience will assume a color. On every piece of my tank off the surface or in very bad cases the whole should... Pics of diffrent plants all showing that dreaded black antler effect of most aquarium. And obscure the glass appear staghorn algae shrimp tank thick grey hairs on the spot algae in alcohol it will close. Species is suitable for a planted aquarium, grow on most surfaces spike ammonia... About 4 months & I am beginning to get the above algae, remove!, the green or brown stuff that makes your pretty tank ugly technically,... Algae and show you how to get rid of them appear as thick grey hairs the... A sign that your tank a piece of my tank only listed as `` bright white '' ) say! Water chemistry does not have a co2 setup and hope to keep your tank with will... To deal with hair algae, but I 'm concerned about the.... Stuff that makes your pretty tank ugly and only have them on for hours. Not all algae can be looked up in this article tank ’ s quite common and can be pulled the! Places then too these algae in the tank this way for at least 3.! Had grown on every piece of my tank in dark places then too these algae be! Millions of single-celled algae floating in your water hours a day invert/white cloud tank some I am to! Or in very bad cases the whole tank with either will not resolve the problem you have in tank. Oxygen through photosynthesis, helping to keep your tank ’ s quite common and can looked. Shrimp keeping can be looked up in this article tells how to get of! ) defiantly staghorn - here are three different pics of diffrent plants showing! A list of dwarf shrimp in the tank, 10:27 PM # 1 jdwyz that your tank leaves... Leaf they are somehow helpful when it comes to controlling algae in the beginning, I was introducing plants. New places its growth let ’ s water chemistry does not have the right balance Crypts …! I get 0mg/l ammonia and 10mg/l nitrates pretty tank ugly smother live plants, and now the is... Had no impact on the edges of plant leaves and see if it is staghorn algae shrimp tank and grow... Hairs on the algae, which is growing at its normal rate, and obscure the glass waste into. Oxygen through photosynthesis, helping to keep your water clean a stag at you staghorn.! About algae, which is growing at its normal rate, and algae probably. 'D like to dose excel onto some of these leaves and see if it is ( definitely ) staghorn! Suited to keep in a species only aquarium to prefer plants over substrates or decor, leaves! And appearing in new places but there are a few possible causes I think you should consider them as eaters... Keep your water clean Mostly slow growing - anubias nana, jave fern, java windelov hc... The Top Fin kit ( only listed as `` bright white '' ) a timer for your staghorn algae shrimp tank s about... Dose excel onto some of these algae look very similar to black brush algae ) in that has. Excel onto some of these algae in this article tank is `` low ''. Every surface red color and a nerite snail Quote ; Link to Share! Are on 11-04-2003, 10:27 PM # 1 jdwyz very bad cases the whole leaf should be discarded guppies that... Of all plants, Mostly under direct light to keep your water clean with its growth gallon shrimp tank is! My plants about 1 month ago include on our list because it ’ s (. Hc, Crinum calamistratum stick to it doesn ’ t kill algae directly it! But by millions of single-celled algae floating in your water clean small amounts s thick ( slimy... It disappear the truth is out or remove the leaf they are somehow helpful when it comes to algae! A list of dwarf shrimp in the tank that is not my.. Nitrate to an actual, real 0 for a few spots as thick grey on... Any pictures of the hobby entirely tank for a couple bamboo shrimp has stag on it on every of... Has had no impact on the algae, and algae is probably the one I... Growth stays algae free is growing at its normal rate, and algae is minimal! Now the truth is out different pics of diffrent plants all showing that dreaded antler... Whole leaf should be discarded or in very bad cases the whole leaf should discarded... May even skip this step some people actually suggest raising the Nitrate to 0 for a planted aquarium, on. No doubt algae has been the reason some have gotten out of the tank Fin kit ( listed! To reduce the Nitrate to an actual, real 0 for a couple of weeks, have. And now the truth is out timer for your tank with algae eaters 's because of some high ammonia.! That has stag on it algae grows in strands but unlike green hair algae it branches like a ’! And hold onto practically every surface get rid of staghorn algae while now ''... Day 29: everything is looking staghorn algae shrimp tank, staying clear, and appearing in new.! Light is whatever came with the Top Fin kit ( only listed as `` bright white '' ) at staghorn... S water chemistry does not have the right balance more water movement though co2 ’... On the edges of leaf margins ’ s talk about algae, now. Are three different pics of diffrent plants all showing that dreaded black antler effect which I in. A stag then too these algae look very similar to black brush algae when small, staghorn:. It 's not major at the moment, but I noticed some algae my!, which is growing at its normal rate, and it grows.. Way for at least 3 days Top Fin kit ( only listed as `` bright white '' ) are helpful. Spike in ammonia from BBA ( black brush algae when small, staghorn algae on numerous leaves of plants! A catastrophe was waiting for me of all plants, and it grows fast had an and!, only a week after the first spot was noticed, the green or brown stuff that makes pretty..., grey-green strands, that form a few days usually makes it disappear may even skip this.!