Blue Green Algae Aquarium

However it can also appear in already cycled tanks with dirty filter or substrate.

Blue green algae aquarium. The species structures can be unicellular to filamentous and some species are colonial. It can grow quickly and can cover the substrate in the aquarium. It is worth mentioning that the blue green algae floating on the surface of your pond pond scum is different than the blue green algae in your aquarium. They may be earth s bacterial heroes but when these algae are in your aquarium they can be both good and bad.

To combat the blue green algae first you need to clean the filter and vacuum the substrate. Blue green algae is very common in new aquariums where the nitrogen cycle is not finished yet. You might hear it referred to as bga green slime algae smear algae or even pond scum because of the way it can build up on the surface of ponds. Blue green algae bga is not actually an algae but rather a cyanobacteria a very diverse and resilient group of bacteria that uses photosynthesis like plants.

Tanks that exhibit this red slime or blue green algae growth often have good water quality low ammonia nitrite and nitrate levels and are otherwise unremarkable. Also known as slime or smear algae it can be caused by an excess of nitrate and phosphate in the water. To remove cyanobacteria or blue green algae from your aquarium replace the old water in the aquarium with clean saltwater. When disturbed it comes off in sheets.

Just to add to the confusion blue green algae also goes by other less common names. In freshwater aquariums it s known for its vivid blue green color but it can also appear in shades of brown black or even red. Algae is often introduced into your aquarium by fish and live food and it comes in several colors. What is blue green algae.

Also known as gravel or silica algae this algae is common in new tanks and will coat the tank in sheets which are easily wiped off it is usually harmless and will eventually go away as the tank matures. You should also use a gravel vacuum to remove organic debris from the bottom of the tank which can be a breeding ground for the bacteria. Although called blue green algae they can have colors ranging from black to red to purple. Cyanobacteria formerly called blue green algae are not really algae but are a phylum of photosynthetic bacteria that live in moist soils and water.

Red algae which is caused by a lack of carbon dioxide in the water is really nasty and hangs. Like a lot of bacteria blue green algae in your substrate are beneficial to the health of your aquarium feasting on detritus organic wastes.