Whats this?

[Alanh087]

Hi all,

Recently let my tank go over the last few years, not done water changes as often as i should. Started to clean it all out etc but this stuff keeps coming back…..see image

I have bought fluval biological cleaner, should this help stopp this green stuff growing?

Tia….

[DuzMano]

Cyanobacteria (blue/green 'algae')?

[Alanh087]

Would the stuff mentioned above help clear this?

[DuzMano]

I'm not sure, not an expert I'm afraid, thus the question mark after my amateur prognosis haha I'm hoping someone else will confirm or deny and be in a position to offer the best solution. I'm sure someone will be along soon enough

[fr499y]

cyano for sure. Suck out as much as you can and try increasing the flow in the aquarium.

[Alanh087]

cyano for sure. Suck out as much as you can and try increasing the flow in the aquarium.

Thanks, might be a stupid question but how can i increase the flow? I got rid of all this green stuff before i went away came back and its all growning back!

[Martinspuddle]

Thanks, might be a stupid question but how can i increase the flow? I got rid of all this green stuff before i went away came back and its all growning back!

Image courtesy of Sicce

Causes can be elevated phosphate levels, nitrogen deficiency or low CO2.

[plankton]

The flow is probably not getting around the whole tank, top to bottom, that's a main cause of it.
What Martin has posted is a good idea if the filter can't be adjusted.
I had it in my Juwel Trigon and it took about 18 months to get the flow just right.
It doesn't like hydrogen peroxide (3% or 6%) spot dosed onto it and is easier to syphon out afterwards.

[Alanh087]

The flow is probably not getting around the whole tank, top to bottom, that's a main cause of it.
What Martin has posted is a good idea if the filter can't be adjusted.
I had it in my Juwel Trigon and it took about 18 months to get the flow just right.
It doesn't like hydrogen peroxide (3% or 6%) spot dosed onto it and is easier to syphon out afterwards.

Why would that be ive used the same filter for years? I use a filter that's way more powerful that it needs to be…..and the problem has inly just started within the last 6 months…can i get a chemical that kills the algae?

[fr499y]

cyanobacteria isn't an algae but bacteria. You can get stuff that treats it but It will keep coming back unless you get to the bottom of the cause.

What is the filter in question and how big is the tank? Its not unusual for shops to sell a filter and say 'Its more than enough for that size tank' when in reality, its not.

How often do you do a water change and how much are you changing at a time?
What fish are you keeping?
Do you have any live plants in the tank?