blue green algae good or bad?

[funkyfish]

i have a planted tank with some discus in it's been fine just some green algae
for the past week i have been noticing blue green algae starting to cover
the gravel an the heater is it good or bad ? I change bout 15% water every
2 days I read some were that it is caused by low nitrate in the water not to
sure i've never seen it before ..If it is bad what is the best thing to do to get
rid of it?????

[Carol_Roberts]

Blue green algae is cyanoBACTERIA - not really algae at all and is NOT caused by low nitrAtes. Erythromycin @ 250 mg per 10 gallons will kill it dead. Try to change 30% water every two days.

[funkyfish]

thanks alot carol that stuff won't heart my fish will it

[peteypob]

Carol is right. I recently had a battle with this plague and came out victorius treating it with maracyn(Erythromycin). The large WC every other day will help during the treatment. Erythromycin is one of the least harmful meds out there. I treated my tank with 7 discus,a pleco, and a school of tetras. Which with most meds these are the most sensitive fish.Good luck!
Pete

[Carol_Roberts]

The stuff won't really hurt the discus, but I'd get rid of it.

[funkyfish]

thanks carol how long and how often should i dose or just dose till tis gone

[Carol_Roberts]

As I recall one dose will kill it

[funkyfish]

thanks a bunch carol i dosed it yesterday so got my fingers crossed