Fin Regrowth and Algae Questions?

Background: I keep cichlids. My yellow lab got singled out and beat up to the point of being removed to a hospital tank (Sept 18), his tail fin just a muscly stub and his appearance quite emaciated. I believe the tank to be 5 gallons (I initially though it was 10), with a bright light and items recycled from a garage sale (which sat a long time in my basement and were washed). I do water changes every weekend, and the replaced water is from the main tank. The water conditions are good- high hardness and pH, little to no ammonia or nitrate, questionable nitrite. I fed him normal cichlid food for a while, then switched him onto an all-veg diet at the advice of a local fish specialist, who also suggested cranking the temperature a few degrees. I can not do that because I bought a cheap heater which automatically keeps the temperature at 76 degrees Fahrenheit (24.4 degrees Celsius). The guy told me that with the food and heat alterations my fish would be healed in no time. That fish is now nice and filled out, and has about half of a tail whisping behind him. Today I spotted a small patch of what I believe to be cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in the tank.



My Questions:



How long is he going to take to grow his tail back?? Goodness, I thought it would take maybe 2 weeks!

Is the temperature/heater my problem?

Is there any way I can help him regrow his fin faster?



Is that cyanobacteria dangerous to his health as it is?

Will it take over before my fish is back in ship-shape?

Will my fish carry it over to my other tank? (I have not seen any sign of it there yet, although I use the same siphoning gear for both tanks as well as a planted one).

Would you advise using chemicals to eliminate it?



Thanks!Fin Regrowth and Algae Questions?
The algae won't hurt your fish. I used apple snails or some type of algae eaters to keep my tanks clean. The algae occurs naturally, like in the wild, so it's ok, just unsightly to some people. I always tried to stay away from chemicals. Hope this helps. I used to raise african and south american cichlids.