Build up on coldwater set-up

[teash]

Arggggggggg is becoming very annoying this problem but for some reason i`m constantly getting a build up (of what starts off as black spots) but then just overtakes into a black mass on my cold water aquarium. Filters cleaned every week same with the water (not all just a 1/4 or so). Its a 50 litre set up with just 5 fish in it, they`re not overfed but for some reason can`t stop this build up on the glass and ornaments. Any ideas????

Ta

[jaberwocky]

it's algae build up.is the tank situated in direct sunlight?if it is the it tends to spread quickly.one thing you could do is get a pleclostumus,loach, that type of thing.they tend to hoover the tank clean.a plec will go up and down the glass eating as they go.hope that may be of help

[teash]

Cheers for the reply jaber, its never in view of the sun plus I bought some algae removal stuff from a local pet store and that still doesn`t seem to work. I`ll give one of them loaches a go if they`re suited for a coldwater set-up

[Dr. Bigalow]

Hey Teash
The black mass, is it growing on the glass, the gravel or the decorations? Or is it on everything?
If you wave water at it or blow on it with the outlet of your filter does it break apart in pieces?
What ti sounds like it is with the limited info is cyanobacterial algae. It is more closely related to bacteria than algae.
In a cold water set up it is difficult for the beneficial bacteria to populate your filter like they would in a tropical tank. The colder the water the harder it is!! Even though you are cleaning your filter out regularly, it may not be a good thing. You may be making your filter too clean! Yes too clean!
You stated that your tank was 50 litres (would that mean it is safe to say it is approx 15 gallons and measures 24"x12"x12"(inches).
The reason I ask the size is because you can treat your tank with something simple and kill the algae quickly.
Post me some more info and I will help you get rid of the algae once and for all!!!

[teash]

WOW cheers for your reply Doc and the answer is 'yes' to all of your questions, so what is it I need to get rid of this build-up
PS with your description it sound like you`ve been in my house and looked at my set-up LOL

[Dr. Bigalow]

Hi Teash
Well like I said it sounds like cyanobacterial algae. A slime algae that builds up due to an excess of organic load that is in the water. The build up may not be visible to your eyes but it definitely still exists. Is your filter a type that hangs on the side of the tank? If it is what is the make of it (ie Aqua Clear, Penguin/Marineland,etc...)? I need to know the type in order to direct you to the appropriate media to use inside of it, or maybe direct you to a totally new filter.
In order to kill the cyano algae you can simply use EM tablets. EM is Erithromyacin medication primamrily used to combat bacterial infections on fish, however at a light dose it kills cyano really quick as well!
If your tank contains 15 gallons you only need a tablet or two to kill the algae.
**Important Note** siphon out as much of this algae in a water change before you dose the tank with EM. If you killm all of the cyano in the tank it will release all of the contaminents it has absorbed back into your tank. That could quite possibly kill your fish and also just feed the next round of cyano algae to grow after you kill it.
Get back to me regarding the type of filter you have before you start the process. We need to address that before anything can start.

Talk to you soon!

[teash]

Once again thanks doc, pretty sure the filter is a rena filstar. It stands about 5 inch tall and has just a foam filter inside of it and a knob on the top to adjust the flow rate. Its not a all singing dancing one just a pretty basic one that came with the set-up when I bought it.

Look forward to your reply

[teash]

Oh and forgot to add, yes it positioned on the inside of the tank and help in place by suckers

[Dr. Bigalow]

Hi Teash
It actually sounds like a fluval internal filter because I was unaware that Rena made an internal like that. Anyway we should upgrade that a little bit. If you can purchase an Aquaclear 200 that hangs on the outside of the tank. Or if you can afford it purchase a Fluval 204 or a Rena 1 canister filter. The Aquaclear will run you only 30-35 dollars whereas the rena and Fluval will start at about the $100+ mark. The Rena and Fluval external canister will hold more media that will help you out.
What we need to incorporate is good grade carbon and also a phosphate remover. The carbon I would recommend to you is Bio Chem Zorb, it is made by the same people as the Rena (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals). The rena canister will likely come with this carbon free to start you off! A respectable phosphate remover is Phos Zorb, again made by the same people.
So this is the procedure to follow...
1st siphon the algae out and do a 10-20% water change at the same time. Do not touch the filter that you have in the tank (do not clean it). Replenish the water with new conditioned tap water. Add 1-2 tablets of EM (erythromyacin) to the tank water after you add the new water to the tank. Let the EM take effect in the tank (usually only a couple of days is necessary for tthe algae to die off). When the algae has died off do a 30% water change on the aquarium again to remove the organic matter that the dead algae has released into the water. After the 30% water change unpack and incorporate the filter and media I described to you earlier. The carbon and phos zorb will absorb any left over impurities. Replace the carbon and phos zorb every 4-6 weeks from there on in. To beef up the biological filtration in your tank you can incorporate biomax that is made by Fluval into the Rena or Fluval canister as well.

Good luck!!

[teash]

What can I say doc but thanks a million for your help. I`ll purchase one of the filters that you`ve recommended (live in the uk so product codes may be different than the ones you suggested) and I`ll let you know in a couple of weeks or so how i`ve got on.
Once again thankyou