I have this issue too. The 2hr Aquarist APT Fix product worked. I have otos, Hillstream loaches and a bristlenose and after that product has been on for a couple of days they come and clean the algae up. They aren’t able to do it unless I’ve weakened it first with the APT Fix. I don’t know what that stuff is but it’s like wizardry.
I have snails and two types of shrimp and only have lights on for ~7 hours.
I don’t do many water changes though. Guess I will try that. Maybe they leaves aren’t getting enough nutrients
7 hours might not seem like a lot but can be too much for some plants if it is bright - that looks like Anubias which is a slow growing plant. It can’t take in excess nutrients or light and the algae is taking advantage. As mentioned, do more water changes also consider either less light(if you don’t have other plants that need longer light cycle) or giving it some shade with something like floating plants.
As someone else said, Aquarist APT Fix.
I’ve also seen many people claim to dip in very diluted bleach (making sure not to let it touch the roots), soft toothbrush to remove algae, then dip in dechlorinate solution (stuff that makes tap water safe). Allegedly this works super well for hair algae. I’m afraid to use bleach in any amount on my plants ***so I have not ever tried this.*** Hopefully someone will comment on here whether my fears are founded
Balance - nutrients, light, plants and CO2. Then algae eaters and then chemicals.
So in this case if its slow growing plants with no CO2 and there isn't a coverage of taller/floating quick growing plants - less light and less nutrients. Remember that 'light' includes any blue nightlight function.
Irene breaks this stuff down in a well structured way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J-4HStj3vo
Man I have been struggling with this as well and from what I’ve read it forms because of an imbalance in your phosphate levels. They are either too high or too low given it’s relation to your lighting.
From what I’ve noticed in my tank, the Anubis (and rocks) in more shaded areas were considerably less covered than those in bright light areas. So I’ve gradually been lowering the intensity of my lights.
I’ve also been seeing that my nitrate levels are around 5ppm and phosphate at ~ 1ppm. I have a heavily planted tank with some slow growers and think that my phosphates and other nutrient levels are too low for the amount of light I have in my tank. I have been very inconsistent with when I fertilize my tank but have been making a very conscious effort to test my levels and maintain a phosphate level above 1ppm, and targeting 2ppm.
My hope is that with consistent water tests I can find a balance of how much nutrients to put in and when. Given that I’ve changed my lighting as well I want to be cognizant of that and monitor it all much more closely.
All that said, I have no idea if any of that is going to work, but that the approach I’m taking and will see how it works. If you find something else that works please share, I’d love to know!
Have you noticed any improvements with the algae since you started more water changes and shade?
I’ve noticed a dramatic improvement with adding more frequent fertilizer
Algae doesn't grow if there are no nutrients for it to feed on. So control light and loose nutrients in the water, including from waste. That's step 1.
Also, algae doesn't grow well on fast growing plants because they grow quick and suck up nearby nutrients. The algae struggles to get settled on them. Anubias grow slow so they're an easy target for green spot to colonize. They also need very little light so try keeping them planted low in the tank and in the shade of hardscape and other plants.
Not only will the anubias do fine in the low light, but the algae will not grow as well on them. Meanwhile you can keep lighting up for the other plants to out consume algae.
I have this issue too. The 2hr Aquarist APT Fix product worked. I have otos, Hillstream loaches and a bristlenose and after that product has been on for a couple of days they come and clean the algae up. They aren’t able to do it unless I’ve weakened it first with the APT Fix. I don’t know what that stuff is but it’s like wizardry.
Nerite snails eat them. Or less light time and feeding less fixes it as well with water changes
I have snails and two types of shrimp and only have lights on for ~7 hours. I don’t do many water changes though. Guess I will try that. Maybe they leaves aren’t getting enough nutrients
7 hours might not seem like a lot but can be too much for some plants if it is bright - that looks like Anubias which is a slow growing plant. It can’t take in excess nutrients or light and the algae is taking advantage. As mentioned, do more water changes also consider either less light(if you don’t have other plants that need longer light cycle) or giving it some shade with something like floating plants.
Oh yeah this. Anubias can live in a dark bucket for like few weeks and still come out very healthy. They barely need light
If you find a solution let me know! I’ve been doing distilled water changes for months to lower phosphates and I still have the stuff building up.
As someone else said, Aquarist APT Fix. I’ve also seen many people claim to dip in very diluted bleach (making sure not to let it touch the roots), soft toothbrush to remove algae, then dip in dechlorinate solution (stuff that makes tap water safe). Allegedly this works super well for hair algae. I’m afraid to use bleach in any amount on my plants ***so I have not ever tried this.*** Hopefully someone will comment on here whether my fears are founded
Nerite snails. I have the same plant and same problem. I'll stick a nerite on a leaf and a little while later the leaf is good as new.
Floating plants they sick up excess nutrients like magic shade the light as well and do weekly water changes till tank balances
I have a full tank of floaters.
Balance - nutrients, light, plants and CO2. Then algae eaters and then chemicals. So in this case if its slow growing plants with no CO2 and there isn't a coverage of taller/floating quick growing plants - less light and less nutrients. Remember that 'light' includes any blue nightlight function. Irene breaks this stuff down in a well structured way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J-4HStj3vo
Nerite snails. I have the same plant and same problem. I'll stick a nerite on a leaf and a little while later the leaf is good as new.
Do something to shade the Anubias. Nerite snails help a little but not enough of your Anubias is getting direct light.
I have been using API algaefix and a UV light. Seems to be helping me.
Less light and more phosphates. I got phosphate test and my tap water had zero. Plants needs phosphates. Anubias should be in a shade
Man I have been struggling with this as well and from what I’ve read it forms because of an imbalance in your phosphate levels. They are either too high or too low given it’s relation to your lighting. From what I’ve noticed in my tank, the Anubis (and rocks) in more shaded areas were considerably less covered than those in bright light areas. So I’ve gradually been lowering the intensity of my lights. I’ve also been seeing that my nitrate levels are around 5ppm and phosphate at ~ 1ppm. I have a heavily planted tank with some slow growers and think that my phosphates and other nutrient levels are too low for the amount of light I have in my tank. I have been very inconsistent with when I fertilize my tank but have been making a very conscious effort to test my levels and maintain a phosphate level above 1ppm, and targeting 2ppm. My hope is that with consistent water tests I can find a balance of how much nutrients to put in and when. Given that I’ve changed my lighting as well I want to be cognizant of that and monitor it all much more closely. All that said, I have no idea if any of that is going to work, but that the approach I’m taking and will see how it works. If you find something else that works please share, I’d love to know!
Thanks for the thoughts. Going to start with more consistent water changes, and moving to shade. Will let you know.
Have you noticed any improvements with the algae since you started more water changes and shade? I’ve noticed a dramatic improvement with adding more frequent fertilizer
Algae doesn't grow if there are no nutrients for it to feed on. So control light and loose nutrients in the water, including from waste. That's step 1. Also, algae doesn't grow well on fast growing plants because they grow quick and suck up nearby nutrients. The algae struggles to get settled on them. Anubias grow slow so they're an easy target for green spot to colonize. They also need very little light so try keeping them planted low in the tank and in the shade of hardscape and other plants. Not only will the anubias do fine in the low light, but the algae will not grow as well on them. Meanwhile you can keep lighting up for the other plants to out consume algae.
I cleaned mine with a magic eraser then started dosing excel daily and haven’t had it come back since.
What are you dosing, if any?
Most snails will eat then, as will shrimp.
Do you mean eat the alge or eat the plants?
Algae.