Green algae

[Gullion17]

Hi everyone, im new here. I have a question regarding my cichlid tank which runs at a stable ph8.2 i have an argonite sand substrate and crushed shells in the filter which help buffer the ph i believe. In my tank i have ocean rock on which one of the rock is startung to cover in a bright mint green algae. Its taken a long time as i first noticed it about 8 month ago and has just started showing on another rock which was touching this one. This green (algae?) is flat to the rock and is hard. Infact scrapping it with your finger nail as hard as you like will not remove it. It also seems to grow best when lights have been off or my blue lights have been on. I quite like the stuff tbh as it adds abit of colour to the rocks however if its something that is not good for my tank then i would rather take the rock out. Any input would be appreciated thankyou carl
I have pics just not sure how to upload them as its not doing anything when i attach them at the bottom

[fr499y]

Malawi cichlids eat algae, thats there diet. If these are the cichlids you have then leave it there for them to eat. Infact, you want more and more to grow for them to munch on! ( free food, natural behaviour )

[Annie]

Hi and welcome to the site, think when you add a photo there’s a button that’s says ‘insert into post’ which you need to click as well.
Have a go, would love to see your tank.

[fr499y]

it will probs be this stuff.

[Gullion17]

Hi and welcome to the site, think when you add a photo there’s a button that’s says ‘insert into post’ which you need to click as well.
Have a go, would love to see your tank.

Thanks Annie, hope this works ie sent a few pics cause my tank always looks different depending on the light colour I use. Theres loads of combinations to choose so I never get bored lol

[Annie]

Hi and welcome to the site, think when you add a photo there’s a button that’s says ‘insert into post’ which you need to click as well.
Have a go, would love to see your tank.

Thanks Annie, hope this works ie sent a few pics cause my tank always looks different depending on the light colour I use. Theres loads of combinations to choose so I never get bored lol

Wow   Smart looking tank, great styling.

I’m very new to this fish keeping lark, just got my first eight fish today  so not sure what fish you have in there ?

[Gullion17]

finally got pics working thanks to Annie  . This is the algae I am on about, like I said its not soft it rock hard, even my plecs cant eat it  and these pics seem to  catch the true colour well

[Gullion17]

Malawi cichlids eat algae, thats there diet. If these are the cichlids you have then leave it there for them to eat. Infact, you want more and more to grow for them to munch on! ( free food, natural behaviour )

Thanks for the reply although my cichlids don't eat it....even my two plecs who I give the job of upkeep of the tank cant munch through it. They do a good job with rest of tank though its spotless. I think this stuff is too hard for them 

[Gullion17]

Hi and welcome to the site, think when you add a photo there’s a button that’s says ‘insert into post’ which you need to click as well.
Have a go, would love to see your tank.

Thanks Annie, hope this works ie sent a few pics cause my tank always looks different depending on the light colour I use. Theres loads of combinations to choose so I never get bored lol

Wow   Smart looking tank, great styling.

I’m very new to this fish keeping lark, just got my first eight fish today   so not sure what fish you have in there ?

Theres a mixture of peacocks and haps and a couple of quite peaceful Malawi cichids…..they all seem to get on relatively well so I don't really get too much bullying or fights breaking out    I know cichlids are reknowned for fighting but fingers crossed ive found a decent mix plus all the rocks and caves help. What fish have you got?

[Cheltgirl]

Hi. This is most likely an algae. You are using ocean rock which is mostly calcium. Algae that grows on ocean rock can be as hard as the rock itself. It’s similar to the hard algae that you get in saltwater tanks growing on the live ocean rock. My marine tank was covered in purple algae just like that. It was a good job I love purple!! I did have a couple of small sections with green and even and orange.

It is not harmful and can be left if you don’t mind the discolouration. To get it off you would have to chip it with something sharp like a small chisel, out of the tank obviously.

How long are your lights on? Under/excessive lighting can cause algae and can be hard to get a good balance.

Hope that helps.




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