Algae, Any Ideas?

Question

We have an aquarium with fish, not goldfish, that keeps getting algae on the walls and in the gravel. Whenever we bought the filter system it said on it that it would prevent algae from growing and we even went to the extent of buying some fish that eat the algae. But, no matter what we do it keeps growing on the walls of the tank. We've tried chemicals and various pellets but to no avail. Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

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!

Answer 2

you can try to adjust the temp, of the tank, if its warm the algae will grow very fast, but make sure that the temp is correct for the fish, if you are keeping the correct temp rage for the fish, then don't mess with that. You can also try adjusting the amount of time you have the lights on as those will contribute to the algae also. If you are really courageous, you can add some live plants and a nitrogen system, which will help to keep the tank environment stable. But this should only be done if you have the budget and the time to maintain and monitor the system. Algae is just a normal part of the tank, but if you have an excess of algae, many things can cause that to happen, i suggest just trial and error, try something, if it wont work forget it and try something else until you find the method that works best for you. good luck and don't give up on those fishy's!

Answer 3

Any filter that says it stops algae is a bad one. Chemicals reduce oxygen levels and kill plants. To get rid of algae, or at least reduce the ammounts (you will almost never have no algae), reduce lighting. If your tank is in direct sunlight, it will get algae. Make sure you are not using bulbs to grow plants, or high wattage ones like t-5's power compacts or metal halides. Also, make sure that there is no more than 8 hours worth of light, if not less. Reduce feedings dramatically, food even if completely eaten will increase phosphate and nitrate levels, both of which algae uses. Try more water changes, every change removes tons of neutrients. A tank needs a good 25-50% change weekly, though the more frequently the better. Otherwise, just use a scraper and be patient

Answer 4

I've been having problems with brown algae which if left too long becomes green.

I have limited my tank like and I keep the blinds on the windows around the tank closed when it's direct sun.

I have lowered the temperature to the coolest temp for the fish. However, the summer heat will increase the temp back to their mid range temps anyway.

The only thing that has been working for me is adding a 10% water change mid week and my regular one on the weekend. Plus I use an algae brush to clean the glass.

I change the filter every 2-4 weeks.

Last weekend I did a really good cleaning (but not too good to destroy their bacteria in the environment) and got rid of some of the gravel (put some new, washed stuff in).

good luck

Answer 5

Otocinclus are large small algae eaters, pretty in a planted tank. will be complicated to discover now and again, yet 3-4 in a 20g tank with some algae can save those men employed for a lengthy time period. also some shrimp inclusive of japonica shrimp do strong jobs at ingesting algae. also snails, even besides the undeniable fact that no longer certain on the species.

Answer 6

Lights + waste of fishes (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) are the algae catalyst. Just control these things, you could have algae free tank.

Change the water 30% weekly and feed the fishes as much as they can eat. Keep limited light on the tank. It would keep the algae away from your tank.

Answer 7

Too much light could be your problem. Try turning off the light ,ore often, keep it on for no more than 8 hours a day. Also, if your tank is near the window you may be getting light from the day that is making your algae grow. I bought a UV sterilizer for my tank although it is not freshwater you may want to look into buying one, it really helps.

Answer 8

Admit it, you will have to use a glass scratcher (3M sponge that has been used in the kitchen and is dulled down..rinse well and set aside for cleaning the glass..use a light touch or you will scratch the glass....there is just no other way. You can use algacides, but they are expensive and don't work that well. Cut down the light to the tank and your alga will slow down. Good luck.

Answer 9

if the algae is green-answer is simple---too much light getting to the tank------turn off the overhead light till you want to watch them and block the sides of the aquarium that is facing windows or doors. LIGHT causes algae-I dont know why other pet store owners dont explain this to customers when they purchase set ups!!!!!!

Answer 10

What color algae is it? Some are good, others are not. If your tank is by a window, try shading it. Also algae growth is dependent on water temperature.