Blue Green Algae problems...as pic shows

[waterflash]

Hi all
Here it is..algae growing at a rapid rate all over my gravel and starting on the plants. These pics are only after 3 days growth. I have a Co2 tank with 3x MH 6500k lamps, low nitrates no phosphates.

So interested in your thoughts. What is the best way to tackle this without making the plants suffer?

Cheers
Robin

[XPLOSV]

Have a read here.

http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9

Blue-green, slime or smear algae:
Grows rapidly in blue-green, slimy sheets. Spreads rapidly over almost everything and usually indicates poor water quality. However, blue-green algae can fix nitrogen and may be seen in aquariums with extremely low nitrates. Sometimes seen in small quantities between the substrate and aquarium sides. Will smother and kill plants. This is actually cyanobacteria. It can be physically removed, but this is not a viable long term solution as the aquarium conditions are still favorable for it and it will return quickly. Treatment with 200 mg of erythromycin phosphate per 10 gallons of water will usually eliminate blue-green algae but some experts feel it may also have adverse effects on the biological filter bed. If erythromycin is used for treatment, ammonia and nitrite levels should be carefully monitored.

[axl]

Get some otto catfish, i got 10 for my tank and i had algea everywhere and a week later its all gone they do a awsome job i couldnt believe how good they are.

[XPLOSV]

blue green algae is toxic apparently.

See this link below:
http://www.aquariumlife.com.au/showthread.php?t=8745

[waterflash]

Thanks guys for the info, I got hold of some erythromycin and it has worked a treat. Not easy getting hold of erythromycin though. Vets were useless and finished up finding a friendly chemist.

If anyone has any experience in how long the benifit of the erythromycin lasts I would be keen to hear. I am assuming that once I do a water change problems may come back. Would that be a correct assumption?

Cheers

Robin

[aquafrogstuff]

Hi Robin,

Great catching up today.

I was recently sent the following links. They were really helpful. Might resolve the BG algae issue for you as well.

http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/
http://www.gwapa.org/articles/algae/#intro

Cheers,

Dwayne

[waterflash]

Thanks for the advice guys. Check out the pic below for an after shot.

Cheers

Robin

[aquafrogstuff]

Geez mate.

You got stuck into the tank alright. Looks great.

BTW, I've found a sure way of getting rid of BG algae!!! Almost guarunteed to work everytime!!!

All you need to do is grow some hair algae like I've done (see below) and the BG will vanish within days. ;o)

Needless to say I've got a lot of work ahead of me.

Any ideas??

[Greggy]

You've got too much light and too little CO2.

Regards,

Greggy