Blue algae

algue blue aquarium

Signs

Thick Bluish green, purple or brown-black sticky deposit on the ground, pebbles or plants. Smelly water.

Cause

in newly installed aquariums, aquatic environment not yet stabilized. In older basins, compacted sol, excess of food, fertilizers, death and rotting of worms in the mud, poorly cleaned filters, tap water too rich in nitrates, too uncommon water changes, regular lack of Oxygen

Remedy

Remove the deposits by hand or sucks them carefully with a pipe, clean the filter several times a day in old basins, change the water more frequently by sucking the excrement. Two days later, fertilize the plants to harden them; To quickly improve the aquatic environment, introduce Bacopa, Cabomba, Aponogeton and Hygrophyla that consume nitrogen residues. The best algae devourer is the postilion snail: to act quickly: 3 rhodeus sericeus by 50 l of water, the temperature must not exceed 25 ° C.



Red algae

algue red aquarium

Signs

On plants, woods and stones of the green dots with blackish (blackheads), wires (bearded algae) of the small tufts (black algae in brush).

Cause

Introduction by plants imported from Southeast Asia (especially cryptocory), hard water and rich in nitrates (pH greater than 7, lack of CO2). Only weak plants are attacked.

Remedy

Red seaweed clings well: we can neither aspire them nor remove them by hand without damaging the leaves: you have to cut them. Iron and CO2 contributions often make them disappear, we can also filter with a peat filter (at least 2 months) which will lower the hardness of the water and the pH. Change old lighting ramps. Introduce species consuming algae.



Green algae

green alga aquarium

green alga aquarium


Signs

Miscellaneous aspect according to the species. On the ground and the walls, wadded deposits (furs algae), dark green dots (green point algae), tufts of branched wires (green tuft algae), long wires that surround the plant (green wire seaweed), bulbs poorly defined (bulb algae). Microscopic algae (at least 4 kinds) transform water into a thick green decoction.

Cause

excess phosphates; abundant nitrates. The green algae appears mainly in well -lit aquariums, in case of excess food or fertilizer.

Remedy

In the event of the appearance of green algae, maintain the aquarium from 3 to 4 days in total darkness. Use an oxidator (which enriches oxygen water). Enlighten ultraviolets until all floating algae has disappeared. The wire seaweed are hand -made. To avoid them, lower the level of phosphates and nitrates by practicing frequent water changes. Limit food intake and introduce algae consuming species.



Gravel algae


Signs

Thin brown deposits, slightly rough on the walls, the decorative elements and the plants.

Cause

lack of light or oxygen, excess of nitrates.

Remedy

Increase the intensity of the light or the duration of the lighting of the day. Introduce snails and fish that eat algae.

Aquarium fish

Blennius gattorugine

Blennius gattorugine

Lying body, laterally, almost transparent. The coloring offers greenish yellow reflections while the dorsal and anal fins have a black point surrounded by a lemon yellow strip. The caudal is tinged wi...