3 replies to this topic

[mattknepley]

I have something going on with the green algae in my tank I haven't ever seen before. Normally, I'm not too worked up over even fairly large layers of green algae coating the glass and other surfaces in a tank of mine because I figure it has its healthy purposes like many other "surprise" forms of life that pop up in aquaria. If it gets thick enough to prevent me from enjoying the tank, I scrub it off, and if no plants are present I might even bomb it with some chemical from the lfs.

So, my 55 has been acquiring a modest layer of green; moreso on the back because I have wiped the front down a couple times. A large mass of java moss and a few rooted plants keep the left side of the tank much less algae populated. But now it appears they are getting help of some kind keeping the green stuff at bay. The algae started to develop patches of white rings in different places. Usually there is a brown ring outside the white one, but not always. Closer observation reveals the ring is actually an area of algae dieing and turning white. A thin clear film almost fills the inside of the ring. There is no discernible algae remains within the film, and in the bigger rings the film has torn and clear glass remains where it had been coated previously. The rings are starting to run into each other, forming patches and some of the algae appears to be stressing, turning a brown color before a ring actually gets to it.

It's gotten to where it is distracting enough that I'll be dealing with it soon. But just what am I dealing with? Is this a disease? Is it a natural seasonal pattern of algae I just haven't seen before? Is it something else? Do I just scrub it off and let the filters clear it up, or is it likely something more malicious than that, that needs another approach?

This is the best picture I could manage of the stuff. The back wall is much more affected than the front; not sure why that would be.  DSCF3727.JPG   152.71KB   0 downloads