Fish Tank Algae Explosion (and pond update) - Tank Maintenance

In this video I give you an update on my Lake Tanganyikan tank which has been having a slight algae problem... It has a lot of green algae due to high light, but I need to fix the cyanobacteria in there too, which I'm trying out a formula used for red cyanobacteria in reef tanks on (thank you to Jack from MAD Aquariums for giving it to be me to try!).
We also take a look at the Guppy Patio Pond again. We head to Mappins Aquarium and Nursery to find a round bowl to try out for the aquarium high rise. I hope you enjoy seeing the tanks and a bit of an update!
Timestamps:
1:46 - Guppy Patio Pond and Flowers
3:36 - About the Green Algae - Does it hurt the fish?
5:53 - Using Red Cyanobacteria Treatment for Green Cyano
7:12 - Mystery Thing I found in my Tank
8:32 - Mappins Aquarium and Nursery
11:15 - Adding a Bowl to my Guppy Pond
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If you're enjoying these vlog videos remember to give the video a like! I love updating you on how the tanks are going and hope you enjoy it too :)
You can subscribe to my channel to show your support!
kzbin.info...
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Aquarium and Sump/Cabinet - Waterbox 7225 Peninsula
Lighting - Freshwater Aquaillumination (AI) Primes

[@adfadfasefasefadsf]

"It is going to be a bit harder for the fish to get up in there, but I'm sure they'll do it. I guess time will tell. We'll just have to see." *Fish immediately enters the bowl*

[@Kaityscichlids]

I was wondering if anyone would notice that 🤣 I thought it was hilarious when I saw the footage lol

[@markzig1429]

Yes, I noticed and thought the same thing. Perfect timing. @@Kaityscichlids

[@richardgutierrez9223]

the reason you’re getting air in your aquarium is from micro bubbles rising to the top that you can’t even see from the plants waterfall fish over time. quick tip, if you wanna remove the air easily, just get an airline hose and basically siphon the air out using your mouth

[@MrRaylove1]

Yeah, that's the reason. Also, I guess there will be some gas exchange especially when the water warms and holds less dissolved oxygen.

[@MrRaylove1]

It will take an almighty suck to raise that volume of water though!

[@billmeyer4773]

I've been cleaning tanks for a long time now .I started in the 1960 ,and I wish it was still fun for me, but not. So now I take pride in 10 tanks and the other 6 I kind let go and the fish seam to like it.

[@user-gk6jd4ms3q]

Ka

[@lancejohnston3688]

I started this in 1967 at 13 when we lived in Malaysia for 3 years as my dad was posted to Terendak army garrison. I caught my own fish then…mostly gouramis and Siamese fighting fish…I learned snakeheads made poor community fish. I didn’t know any of us 60’s aquarium fans were still alive. I find 4 tanks is plenty and still leaves time for other interests. Lol

[@jayesssveevearing4282]

The round tank looks so much better..wow I love it heaps great job kaity

[@user-ru6kb4vk4l]

As always very interesting video👍👍👍Thank you Kaity!!😊🙏

[@martinespericueta67]

I love your bowl/pond idea, & so did that lil fish, swimming immediately into it, as you put the bowl in hahaha! & wow, that aquarium store - FANTASTIC looking place!!! I can't wait to see the updates, Kaity! 🐟🐠🐡

[@mindylolo]

I really like the bowl vs the rectangle tank in the pond. It looks so much better and I love this idea, as it's fun to be able to see the fish in the pond without having to stand directly over and search for them. Awesome job, Kaity.

[@lynnrobertson4657]

Hi kaity the bowl in the guppy pond looks so much better ❤thanks for sharing

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you so much Lynn 😊❤️

[@sonyyusuf3287]

I really like the Kaity KZbin channel because it increases my knowledge about Aquascape, especially small fish. bravo kaity keep up the good work. Nice to meet you from Indonesia. 😊❤

[@Kaityscichlids]

That's so awesome to hear 😊 Thank you heaps, I appreciate the support 🙏🏼

[@Yelsin_Salazar]

Hi Kaity, your tanks and pond look so nice, and the guppies and mollys look great in there. I think the bowl looks so beautiful because of its symmetric form and it fits perfectly in your pond. I see you putting so much passion and effort into your projects that I'm sure, sooner or later, you'll be compensated achieving your goals. Thanks for another great video. ¡Greetings and blessings from South America🙌✌!!!

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you SO much 😊🙏🏼 I appreciate it so so much!

[@kellyr.8446]

Absolutely love your videos!!

[@Hazel-Hill]

I keep my tanks in our sunroom. With the sunlight plants and tanks, it's a paradise in there. I just love the way the sunlight looks on the fish and water. I get a lot of algae because of it, but for me, it's worth the trouble. Always enjoy your content

[@Kaityscichlids]

I totally agree!! Nothing beats a bit of sunlight ☀️ Thank you heaps 😊🙏🏼

[@Bonnie10au]

Great video! I loved the idea of the aquarium in the pond but I didn't like the rectangular shape. The bowl looks so much better. Because of your shop tours I went to Mad Aquatics last week and loved it. Greetings from the Lockyer Valley!

[@bethanysummers3377]

I love the bowl!💜 With the round pond and tables👍 definitely would look better with a black stand. That shop is amazing too! Have a list of shops to visit if we go to Brissy. Unfortunately in Adelaide it's hard to grow some stuff as it gets to cold in winter. Couldn't have tropical fish outside either.

[@OceanLife6977]

Tank came out looking amazing! Most of the time when I have any algae blooms, I just decrease the time frame of the lights and it regularly works. Obviously every tank is different, so you have to see what works best for you. As far as the Cyanobacteria is concerned, what has worked for me many of the times before applying any chemicals, is adding a power head around the affected area for more water circulation, but again, it all depends on the aquarium. Anyway, great video!

[@hodgdog07]

Love all your videos, keep them coming

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@CharlesBright-zn9ss]

I have always thought house plants and tropical fish were naturals together but I have seen very few stores try it in Florida ….none successfully that I know of. Thanks for another look at your tanks and pond also the very nice store.🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟❤

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@brianp6180]

Bowl looks good Kaity! I think the large bowl you showed us would look better.

[@ericwheatley1135]

Keep the round bowl in the pond, it looks better.. keep the videos coming, very cool and informative... so thanks for what you do, and it looks like you love what you do

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you so much Eric!! I really appreciate it :) And yes, it brings me so much joy doing what I do :D

[@rhondafitzpatrick1646]

I love the round bowl! fits with the round pond, much better!😊

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 😄🙏🏼

[@thefishpharm]

Literally headed to buy a bowl for my pond! I love it 😍!!

[@Kaityscichlids]

Yayyyy!! That is awesome 😁 And thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@TyEdit]

Hi! Long time watcher, first time poster from the PNW. At the top of the video you mention the brown algae stage. It is commonly referred to as “New Tank Syndrome” (Diatoms and filamentous algae) This is common in new setups, especially ones that use rich aquasoils. Often these issues go away on their own.

[@billmeyer4773]

It took 51 minutes to get a notification after you posted it. Excellent video like usual. ❤

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you heaps Bill :)

[@AustinAquatics]

Excited to see how your tanks are coming along! I ordered my 80 gallon water box and plan on moving some of my colony of similis over and creating a similar setup to yours. I also have 10 Chindongo Saulosi in a 40 gallon water box and hoping they’ll bread for me soon!

[@Kaityscichlids]

That's awesome!! And I love those little Chindongo saulosi cichlids, they are beautiful 😊 I hope it goes well for you 💗

[@Slawsers]

Pefect timed video 😊 just cleaned my 55 g planted today aswell, usually saturdays

[@Kaityscichlids]

That's great!! Woohoo for tank maintenance Saturdays 😊

[@Nanoscape]

They have a great selection of bowls 🤯😮

[@Kaityscichlids]

It's seriously insane! You'd be in bowl heaven 😂

[@pattykake7195]

The bowl fits the shape of the pond much better than the tank..I think I will look great when you fine tune it. That store you went to looks really nice as well..👍🏽

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you so much

[@robinvangorp3433]

Hi Kaity, if your not able to find a higher rim you might also use a flat pavement stone underneath to lift the bowl higher out of the water.

[@MrTurboCat21]

I don't know if a small amount of algae is ugly. Of course you want to see the fish in an indoor setup, as that's the whole purpose. Outdoor setups do well with algae, esp for farming and breeding. I would get some plecos, algae eaters and snails to keep algae under control. It works for my aquariums. Before that, I would get blooms of algae forming strings. Which I didn't mind, because I thought it was a cool natural look. Duck weed also inhibits algae growth and works well. You just need to keep taking the duckweed out also, as it multiplies quickly.

[@wendyhood1006]

What a fantastic shop ❤I would definitely shop there to

[@Troyboy2411]

The little pond looks awesome

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 😊

[@stevejackson8154]

The pond looks great and the bowl is definitely much better. Could you fit a smaller bowl in too? Might look cool with 2 bowls?

[@Kaityscichlids]

That's actually such a great idea!! I might actually try this

[@stevenduncan1042]

Love your tanks and the pond. Would love to see more smaller set ups like the pond. I’m very into the idea of little fish tanks or bowls around the house instead my standard house plants

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you! I've been seeing even some super cool low maintenance saltwater bowl setups recently that look awesome. I wouldn't mind giving something like that a go :)

[@mannythegardener3132]

Absolutely great video filled with important information. Love the round bowl in the pond.your fish are just looking so healthy. Love the amethyst crystal. i enjoy collecting crystals, minerals petrified Wood and unusual stones. Have you ever been to crystal palace just over the boarder in NSW it's worth seeing would be a great adventure also so many creeks to explore. Thankyou again for the great video and update

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you Manny! And thank you so much for reminding me that the Crystal Palace exists! I've been wanting to visit there forever and will definitely need to take a trip. I absolutely love minerals and crystals too

[@mrcarl5481]

I love how your mini pond feels like lots of fun experimenting but is paying off as it looks beautiful 😊 I wonder how huge your Malawis would look if they had a bowl to swim up in 😂

[@pinedita08]

Omg beautiful patio pond

[@bongminx666]

the bowl looks so cool, like a lil bubble window into the pond! so cute! now i gotta get a lil bowl for my future balcony pond! it sucks you're still dealing with the sand cyano! it might help to go without the aquarium lights one day a week and have them turn off at 10pm instead of 11pm to see if it helps reduce or slow the growth? because if you have the blinds open in the morning, say 8am for example, and the tank lights stay on til 11pm, that's still 15 hours of light (longer duration than in nature) - and you also have high-quality lights, so they're going to be very efficient and very consistent at reaching the substrate (much much more efficient than nature/the sun), and if there are no plants in the display tank using that readily available energy and competing with the algae, the algae will thrive. alternatively, if you have a pothos growing out of that tank's sump, then a few pothos will totally grow in the top of the display tank or the back overflow part, where they will be closer to the lights, and will be able to out-compete the algae and sand cyano.

[@lylegc01]

Bowl looks great

[@lancejohnston3688]

Bigger bowl will sit higher…also the white plastic coating on your wire frame can be peeled off…it will rust eventually but will be less visible and still last a long time. Looks much nicer than the rectangular tank.

[@laveshnankani6883]

Great one!

[@PlayWhitLife]

We need a store tour with the owner of that place! It looked amaizing

[@wendyhood1006]

I agree ☝️

[@themowingmentor]

Great Video Kaity :)

[@danbaker2619]

Here for my creepy old mans thirst trap fix. The air problem in the backyard pond is maybe the air from the water slowly being released and trapped as it floats up creating enough pressure to force the water level lower? Just a guess. Also your amethyst crystals will be fine in all weather and sun so it will be fine to leave it out side it spent several million years in worse than sunlight and still looks the same as when it formed so all good I promise

[@scottmchale6200]

Looks good 👍

[@jeremyturner6656]

Water level maybe dropping from air bubbles. Id move the air stone away from the inverted tank. Great vid as always, cheers.

[@Rebelio94]

Love the pond!

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@amiremadian6716]

beauty pond !

[@bernidampfff]

This bowl looks great 🙏

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 😄🙏🏼

[@christopherburton2920]

Cool guppy pond. Maybe a low-level light in the bottom may give a different vibe in the evening. Love the channel all the way from Speedway, Indiana, USA.

[@dannywillis661]

Very cool looking

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you :)

[@sergiomorales9264]

Beautiful job Cutie ❤😊

[@shawnchristie3994]

great content, I have a 500l cichlid tank that I love. Subscribed and looking forward to more videos.

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you so much! That's awesome and a great size tank you have 😊 Thank you for the sub 🙏🏼

[@eltonrachman919]

Very nice

[@markzig1429]

I think the bowl looks great! Much better than the rectangle tank. You could try placing a piece slate under the bowl stand to raise it up if you want it higher. Also, I wonder if some floating plants would help with the algae problem in the ciclid tank?

[@SarahSmith-wx9ky]

hey kaity love the bowl on your guppy pond, maybe try a brick or slab under the stand to raise it up slightly :)

[@SlimTim_dirty_aquatics]

Anyway of finding a way to drill a hole in the glass and attach an aqua lifter to keep air out of the globes. Sorry about the algae issues, still an awesome channel.

[@93kristof]

Need to get rid of the nutrients to stop the algae. For that kind of bioload you'd need multiple, very large houseplants, either in the tank or a separate sump that could also have some floaters. Some big peace lilies, calatheas and monsteras would be great.

[@diddykong7547]

The bowl looks way better. I used Easy-Life Blue Exit to sort out my cyanobacteria problems it worked a treat.

[@tonystamford]

A small LED uplighter under the bowl might look nice and light it up, especially when it's dark outside.

[@Kaityscichlids]

I think that would look lovely!!

[@richardmilner6708]

Bowl looks much better in the guppy pond. 👍

[@richardreynolds9896]

Nice video

[@walshiethekidd]

What kinda of lights do you runs? I love the shimmer effect along with the way they look

[@splitcanerods1]

I've subscribed Kaity. The bowl is fabulous!. I must have a version of this. I will try it with sticklebacks. I'm from the UK. Don't know whether you have them in Aus?

[@nalixl]

I've had some great advice in the past from someone at the local aquarium club. To fight the cyanobacteria, scoop them out and put them in the filter. Not exactly sure why, but it worked very well for me.

[@Kaityscichlids]

Ohhhh that is interesting! I hadn't heard of that before

[@SamuraiSpankDatAss]

A little bigger bowl would have been the way to go in my opinion. And I’m so glad you have the pump return not covered now. Was driving me crazy since that’s what gives the surface movement and aeration to the pond. Sure it will thrive better now.

[@ABSaquatics]

Love the bowl. I just think you need a much bigger one, lol

[@joemanktelow]

I think a couple of plants growing out and down the smaller side would look pretty cool in this tank, might also help with the algae too.

[@TheFurlock]

The nozzle, pushed air into the little aquarium. Maybe a rose quartz on top of the little tank!? 😊

[@Kaityscichlids]

That would be pretty!!

[@user-gk6jd4ms3q]

Kaity i beleive the patio tank is experiencing o2 displacement.you have live growing plants ☘️ their displacing the water

[@Kaityscichlids]

Maybe it's that!

[@chuckman1717]

I have been wondering about the air pocket in the pond viewing "bubble", do you think it is possible the plants normal respiration byproduct is collection over time inside the glass dome? There is a very healthy and diverse biophere in that pond, just a thought. Love videos, some great content, Cheers!

[@Kaityscichlids]

It's possible!! It wasn't happening initially though for the first few weeks so I'm not too sure if that's what caused it. Thank you heaps 😊🙏🏼

[@corrugatedmetal6598]

love the bowl!! definitely think you're on the right track with the pond

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you :D

[@lucas_f_s]

Nice vídeo 😊

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 😊

[@budbert69]

Love the bowl suits your pond. Do you like frogs too?

[@mattphillips6714]

Kaity try some chemical filtration eg phosphate and a silica remover as this will help the new tank phase and balance things a bit sooner.. also if your lights have an adjustable blue spectrum reduction of this will help too..

[@vesawuoristo4162]

Cyano can be killed by lack of light also , you could also grow a plant or more in the stand to use up the nutrients.

[@JamesTHEKOIwhisperer123]

New to the channel but like the content great video

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@ScottB-63]

The bowl is much better 👍! Maybe try some ceramic tiles underneath each leg of the stand the bowl is in to raise it up a little at a time till it’s where you want the water level. Just a thought! Love the channel. Btw you are seriously like the spitting image of my wife when we were younger. Maybe sometime I can send a pic. You could truly be twins!!

[@Kaityscichlids]

That's so funny! 🤣 You should send me a photo on Instagram if you have an account, I would love to see. And thank you heaps 😊

[@aurelian6313]

Watching from Vancouver.

[@Kaityscichlids]

That's awesome :) It must be cold over there!

[@aurelian6313]

Thanks for your personalized reply all the way from Australia. 😊 Actually, the West Coast of Canada (where Vancouver is located) is not as cold as the rest of Canada. We have a temperate marine climate.

[@max.0328]

Hi kaity, that thing you found in your tank may be algae,..or a hairy chimp got into your home and took a bath in your tank.🤔😂 I like the rectangular highrise better because it's shape stands out more.it looks a bit futuristic.maybe you should try to find a smaller one and place it on some (dark) bricks on each side.that way you can more or less adjust the height of the highrise.+they ad some surface fore bacteria and you can grow some moss on them if you want.the bowl is nice too.the shape looks more natural so it blends in more and it looks a lot less of a struggle to set up😊.good! because last time i started to fear this new video would begin with "hi my name is kaity and welcome to my channel.in today's video i'm going to talk about how i got up to my neck in bandages..."😬😂

[@danmaltby3271]

im surprised you haven’t gone the way of the reef, I think you can get some really awesome fish in Az

[@CharlesLales]

Hi Kaity, just a piece of advice: when you're using chemical product medicine, always better to stay closed to tank and monitor the fishes during few hours.. in case anything go wrong, a water change will save them ;-)

[@Kaityscichlids]

That's a very good point! Thank you Charles 🙏🏼

[@reggie2803]

I definitely like the round bowl much better.

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you :D

[@sjoervanderploeg4340]

@13:13 one swam in right as you said that!

[@unsocialbutterfly5760]

I think the bowl is beautiful, love the pond so much. Yes a black stand would be better and definitely need something on the flat spot on top, a plant, vine, moss, something. I always wonder how people have these open top tanks and ponds, because all fish jump. I know having floating plants on top helps, but don’t they occasionally jump out?

[@hepaaquatics8947]

Hi Kaity, just watched your maintenance video with the algae and cyan bacterias a little bit, If I remember you running Fluval FX6 on that aquarium, Fluval has a new UVC Clarifier for the FX series filter that will help with control of the green algae and could the cyan bacteria.

[@Kaityscichlids]

I would actually love to try that on my Fluval filters! The tank with the green algae is my other one which has a sump, but a UVC is always an option for that too. I believe it only removes algae from the water though and not algae that grows on the sides (from my understanding)

[@hepaaquatics8947]

@@Kaityscichlids I do believe it will at least help prevent it growth, I have a 250Gal with 2 FX6’s and plan to get one for each, it’s just a bit difficult finding at my local store here in Toronto, so I am planning to go the Amazon route, if I can find a store..

[@stephenevans7884]

Awesome. Liverpool England.

[@brianjones1282]

Hi Miss Kaity! I recently got back into keeping some fish after a long while and have really been enjoying your videos. I like the bowl better than the rectangle tank. The shape mirrors, flows and fits with the pond much better than the tank I think. I think it would be even better if it sat up higher like you were saying. How come you don't have trouble in your Lake Malawi tank with algae too? Even though it's not turned directly towards the light, since it's next to the other tank it looks like it would still get a lot of light and grow some algae? Anyway, keep making your videos, they are enjoyable. Your sweet, laid back personality is refreshing.

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you so much Brian!! That's awesome to hear 😊 I'm liking the round shape a lot better too. It honestly stumps me too how different the algae growth is in the Malawi tank compared to the Tanganyikan tank. The Malawi tank did have green algae for a while when I first set it up before it grew black beard algae. So I think maybe as the tank matures some algae gets out competed. Maybe it could also maybe be to do with different pH and minerals, which I don't have a lot of knowledge in

[@brianjones1282]

@@Kaityscichlids I imagine pH could definitely make a difference. What's the pH differences between the two?

[@andreashessler838]

My set up is very similar to your Tanganyikan tank, you're always going to have some issues with cyanobacteria if you have direct sunlight hitting the tank. My tank is underneath a skylight, so during the summer months, the cyanobacteria explodes. Goes away during the winter when it gets dark in the afternoon. It likes to live down in your substrate. You'll often see it on the glass but in the substrate.

[@Kaityscichlids]

Yes I noticed some was even in the substrate!! It's seems like it's tough to get rid of. And I would love to have a skylight 😍 I honestly think it's worth it for the sun lol

[@rakewawrz5200]

It looks a lot better now. I want to get one

[@Kaityscichlids]

You should 😁

[@user-hn4el8lx2d]

Hi Kaity. Maybe the oxygen production from your aquatic plants are causing the guppy pond elevated tank to drop its water level??? Love your videos. My son and I are the process of setting up our first cichlid tank! We are on the Sunshine Coast and look forward to your posts !!

[@davidlong8509]

You could use floating plants on the tank with the algae. The plants would block some light and remove nutrients from the water.

[@travisrichards6181]

The bowl is soooo much better! That’s also really awesome about dude keeping cichlids in the 70’s. Wonder if they had sideburn cichlids back then? :)

[@Kaityscichlids]

So funny! 🤣 And I thought it was so cool, it made me really happy to hear 😊

[@kathydoro1527]

Love the bowl. Definitely a black frame to hold it i think. What about moss around the frame??? (just an idea).

[@danielcourtney8859]

I would say it's evaporation, check the level on the pond as the water in the tank drops, if the pond level doesn't change its evaporation. If the pond level rises its the tank leaking air as you said 😊

[@fishmunga1014]

Hi Kaity. A round bowl yes it will suit the outdoor pot it would sit in but for me anyway I don't like the distortion of rounded sides. Maybe a little square tank could work instead. Food for thought for ya. :)

[@Kaityscichlids]

I'm not a fan of the distortion either 😩 Someone mentioned maybe trying a round bowl made of acrylic could help with it, so maybe that's an option too

[@fishmunga1014]

​@@Kaityscichlids I'd be interested to see if being acrylic would make a difference, I'd definitely try to find that out before purchasing. Also I was thinking about your sunlight problem, how much sun would come through that window during winter months? Alternate seasons you lift your window blinds up or leave down. More food for thought, I hope you're hungry today. Lol. ps. Your other tank seems fine though yeah?

[@adrianzmajla4844]

​@@KaityscichlidsSame same, they're both round. You will see no difference besides scratches in plastic/acrylic sooner.

[@markhamilton2329]

Hi Kaity,I think the bowl looks much better,paint its stand black or green.

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 😊 I'm definitely keen to make it black!

[@blazeitup4009]

Nice Gold Calvus / Compressiceps

[@Kaityscichlids]

Thank you 😊

[@stevmstng5165]

Nice

[@reidnorton6794]

That bowl looks a lot better already. The rectangle took up too much space and made it look kinda cluttered.

[@davidbalderston2751]

Have you considered a UV sterilizer for your filtration system?