White Algae? - Algae

Skipto · 02-11-2008, 07:32 PM

I am getting a white cotton like growth in my plants that after time becomes long and thread like similar to blue-green algae.

I have no idea what it is or how to get rid of it. I use CO2 Fert to maintain a pH of 6.7 (However, it is going up and is at 6.9 now - this is new). I change 20-25% of the water weekly with aged tap water that has been treated with CO2 and maintained at the same pH and temp as the tank water. The 75 gal tank is heavly planted - Anubias, hornwort, Wisteria, java Fern, Java Moss, 3 species of Crypts, and Giant Val. and receives 5 hours of light (4-54W T-5 Florscent) a 3 hour Siesta and another 5 hours of light.

Can anyone tell me what it is and how to combat it? Since it's white I don't think removing light will help.

I forgot to mention the tank houses about 50 Neons, 8 Corys, 2 SAE's and 8 Ottos along with 40 Ghost Shrimp.

trenac · 02-12-2008, 03:29 PM

Welcome to APC

Can you get a picture?... Sounds more like a fungus then algae.

Skipto · 02-13-2008, 05:56 AM

My camera is broken. However, after a few days of growth, I can see that the white stuff is taking on a light green color and is thin and stringy like very fine silk. So to recap- it starts out cottony and then begins to string out. It appears white but is a very pale green. I wish i could get a picture!

trenac · 02-14-2008, 03:23 PM

Take a look at these algea ID sites to see if any resembles what is in your tank...

http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/

http://www.floridadriftwood.com/alga...ification.html

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

Skipto · 02-16-2008, 06:31 PM

I think it may be blue-green slime algae or Staghorn algae. Thanks for the links.

Skipto · 07-30-2008, 06:06 AM

Here are some pictures. Finally got my camera repaired.

cs_gardener · 07-30-2008, 01:23 PM

I'm afraid I don't know what it is. I just wanted to wish you good luck since you've been fighting it for so long. I know many people would have given up instead of continuing the fight for over 5 months and I'm rooting for you to beat this.