Need Help Solving an Algae Issue???

[Chrissycrab77]

I have been having issues with a green algae-like substance growing on my crab's fresh water bowl. I change it out daily, but it still develops a bright Kelly green film. The salt water bowl is always perfectly fine, however. I am using dechlorinated water for both water sources, and the bowls are practically the same (just different colors). They are made of a molded plastic used in many dishes utilized by reptiles, etc. I use a mix of coconut substrate (by Zoo Med) and sand and I am wondering if the substrate might have something to do with it. I know I can't use any cleaners because it will make my crab babies sick, and I use the hottest water I can to kill it. Nothing non-chemical seems to help. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

[Emily]

Could you provide a picture please?

It's hard to know without a pic. The film you described can be caused by a number of things. Crabs dragging food in, the porous surfaces of water containers can hold on to some pretty icky stuff, it might be something in your substrate, or just dust settling on the surface.

[hermitcrab101]

Algae easly comes off if cleaned up with a q-tip. Keeping your water dish away from direct light will help prevent this from happening again, since the alage is fueled my light

[wodesorel]

Reptirocks, by any chance? Those things are perfect for growing algae for some reason!

It is safe for the crabs to be around. It's a combination of the water, bright light, and whatever the magic of the bowl is. Soaking it in a light bleach solution (1:10) or using extremely hot water on it (which might melt the bowl, I've never put them through the dishwasher before) will kill the algae spores that are on the dish. That won't take care of the ones that are in the tank environment, so it's likely to keep happening.

I have algae in the water dishes in several of my critter enclosures, and there are big patches growing between the glass and substrate in several of the tanks. It's nothing to worry about, and in a way it's a sign that the water and substrate are healthy, since a bright green plant wouldn't grow where it's nasty.