i tried scrubbing it off and filters but it keeps coming back. i have tried some clear stuff to help but it does not last more than a few days. tried changing the water. don't know what else to do. any ideas? i know gold fish are just "dirty" but my daughter just loves them.
2006-07-04 09:30:08 · 14 answers · asked by montanamom 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Have you had your nitrates tested lately? If not, take a sample to your local pet store that sells fish and get it tested. Anything less than 40ppm is safe, but you want it less than 20ppm to inhibit algae growth. If it's more than 20ppm, you need to do a water change. You should be doing about 20% a week. If your nitrates are too high within a week's period, chances are, your tank is overstocked.
If your tank is in direct sunlight, consider moving the tank or closing the curtains/shade. Also, leave your aquarium light off for a couple of days. Algae needs light to grow. You take away the light, you can't grow any algae.
Consider planting some live plants like java fern. They will help convert the nitrates into food for themselves.
Lower your temperature to mid-70s. Be careful not to lower anymore than 4 degrees a day, or else you run the risk of messing with your fishies' immune systems. And we don't want any sick fishies.
Ghost shrimp are known to eat algae, and they add practically nothing to your bioload. And they're cheap.
Do not get any algae eating fish, like a pleco. Depending on your tank size (if it's anything less than a 55-gallon), they will quickly outgrow your tank.
And if all else fails, and you have to add chemicals, make sure you get an algicide that does not contain copper, as some fish are very sensitive to it, and it's quite difficult to remove. I recommend Algae Magic by Weiss, as it's organic and safe for all fish, plants, and invertebrates.
To clean the current algae, do not use a used kitchen sponge. Go to your petstore and get one of them nifty magnetized scrubbers. I just picked one up last week to clean my tank, and it's a miracle worker.
Good luck!
2006-07-04 18:19:00 · answer #1 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion would be to clean with a proper tank cleaner, or use a clean cloth without any type of detergent or chemical, that could harm the fish...Then get a glass cleaning algae eater..If you have a large tank then maybe you need a couple of these..not sure of their name..I have one in my 5.50gal tropical tank and do not have a problem...The cause might be the water..may need to look at the ph balance and the chemicals in it...I use a artesian well water, that has been tested and very clear too...don't keep your tank in the sun, that cause algae to grow on the tank fast as well...Hope this helps
2006-07-04 10:41:03 · answer #2 · answered by foodlover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I persanally have a 29 gallon..and I have 2 algae eaters. Another way is to buy a water testing kit and test your water. You may need to buy some simple cheap chemicals. Once you have an ecosystem achieved...algae shouldnt really grow. Make sure you dont have your tank in the sun and make sure when winter hits and you do have an algea eater in your tank to either remove it or buy a heater for the water.
2006-07-04 09:38:04 · answer #3 · answered by erin_red2004 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a "sucker fish" or some snails to go in the tank with the gold fish. They are easy to take care of and do a great job at cleaning up the tank.
2006-07-04 09:33:42 · answer #4 · answered by foolnomore2games 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You Can Get An Algae Cleaner Or Go To Ask.com And Ask your Question And You Will Get Results In Seconds
2006-07-04 12:30:09 · answer #5 · answered by Lauren 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just algae. You probably didn't clean the glass good enough. It's not harmful for your fish, so don't worry, just cleaning it off makes your tank look nicer :)
2016-03-27 03:52:53 · answer #6 · answered by Loretta 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best thing to do is buy a algae eater, its a small cool looking fish that eats the algae. and it keeps the tank clean...and I'm sure your daughter will like it too! they sell at the pet store for about $3-4.00
2006-07-04 09:35:13 · answer #7 · answered by love2traveljen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a clerk at a pet store what he recomends or buy a new tank.If it spreads to your fish that is a disease called "ick".Ick is a disease when the green stuff comes off and goes to your fish.You can buy ick tablets at a pet store.If you don't get a tablet quick thie fish might go to animal heaven.Goodluck and I hope my advice has helped.
-Haley
2006-07-04 09:42:28 · answer #8 · answered by Haley Bailey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats gold fish for ya, they are nice to look at but dirty fish. just clean the tank every week
2006-07-04 09:33:41 · answer #9 · answered by Ty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you either have a light added or its in a spot too sunny, i never had algae on my goldfish tank. i did have it on my planted freshwater tank. algae destroyer works wonders but only if theres no live plants. clean it all off. then use the algae destroyer. follow instructions. or... you could move it.
2006-07-04 23:11:04 · answer #10 · answered by star9crystal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋