How to control Green water algae in a planted tank
May 20, 20201 min read
This form of algae is also known as "green pea" soup. The water turns into a cloudy green colour.
Common Cause
The primary cause is excess ammonia coupled with strong light for extended periods. This may occur particularly in new tanks / planted tanks that are not biologically mature. It often results from over-feeding, high levels of livestock waste and/or plant decomposition. It is more common in very warm tanks (80f+).
Solutions
Some mild cases disappear on their own as the tank matures
Immediately lower light intensity (by increasing the distance of the light source from the tank or adding shades) and reduce lighting-period to 5 hours until problem disappears
Mild cases can be cured by over-dosing Excel (which can hurt both livestock & plants) or by using Purigen as filtration media
4 - 5 day blackout for serious cases
Use Diatom filters
UV steriliser is a 100% cure for serious cases
For detailed steps on how to cycle a tank, click here.
Having problems with tough, green filamentous threads-like algae in your planted tank? You are having cladophora algae. Cladophora algae is a higher level algae which is undeterred by healthy plant mass. Read how to remove cladophora algae in your planted tank.
Staghorn algae appear as thick grey hairs on the edges of leaf margins. They can be hard to remove by hand. They differ from BBA (Black brush algae) in that BBA has a finer texture and usually darker color.
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