General Care Discussion :: Dark Green Algae..

[Mimi2cas]

So I noticed some dark green algae growing in the turtles tank yesterday. It is almost time to change some of the filter media (floss and purigen) and some of the water, but I broke out my API master water test kit and the ammonia is up to 1PPM, the nitrites are at 0ppm and the nitrate is at 40ppm (i think) the colors for the nitrate test are so close to each other its hard to be sure some times. I also noticed some white stuff growing in the cracks of the pavers I use for his basking area at the moment. I am planning on hauling everything out and scrubbing the stuff off today, but if my water tests are so close to normal does anyone have any idea why i have the dark green algae? I appreciate the help!

[steve]

It's usually the same conditions for other green algae... light and nutrients. It's not really a bad thing, I usually just wipe and scrub it off. It kinda looks nice on the natural surfaces, like cork and rocks.

[Mimi2cas]

Okay, I thought that it was not a good thing. There is a little bit of white stuff growing in the crack between a couple of the pavers that I do want to get rid of as I have no idea what it is. I was just worried that the algae was a bad thing as it is so dark, I don't have a lot of it, just in a couple of areas and they are mainly where his lights are focused.

[steve]

Any black or white stuff could be mildew or mold. It eventually shows up cork bark and I scrub it off when I see it.