help with algae in a cichlid tank?

Question

my tank is over a year old now and is cycled. I have about 12 african cichlids. the brown algae is out of control. im so tired of scraping it just to have it come back in a week and keep all levels low. i do weekly water changes. apparently im not supposed to have an algae eater because the cichlids are supposed to eat it but they wont. maybe because its brown and not green. so what do i do? go get an algae eater (they are not supposed to be very compatable with cichlids).

....also ive tried varrying the lights between 0-8hrs and 8-12 hrs and very little changes

Answer 1

Monitor your nitrate levels and try to keep them as low as possible, since algae thrive on them. Keep doing the water changes, but also clean your filter often. A filter traps the fish poop and keeps the water clear, but the waste material in the filter is constantly breaking down and adding more nitrate to the water. Feed your fish minimally -- it is healthier for the fish and every time you add food you're adding to the nitrtate load. I've kept healthy tanks for many years, but never feed as much as it says on the fish food containers. Minimize your hours of light, of course, especially if you don't have live plants that require it. And the algae killing drops sold at the pet store are one more weapon in your arsenal. Keeping the nitrates and light low are the main things. If you get a fish or snail that eats algae, you must remember that he then poops what he ate -- which breaks down into more nitrates that stimulate the growth of more algae. You must break that cycle!

Answer 2

I had the same problem. I bought new bulbs for the lights so the algae would turn green and the fish would eat it. I went with a 10,000k bulb and it worked wonders. Turned everything a nice, vibrant green, which is what I was going for. I prefer the natural look. If you don't want algae at all, the only options are regular, large water changes (at least 50% per week) to keep the nitrates down or kill the lights totally. I would steer clear of the algae drops. I don't like putting anything in there that I don't have too.

Answer 3

You have a water quality issue. Resolve that and the algae will eventually go away.

Alternatively, get a bristle-nose pleco (also known as the bushy-nose pleco). Definately not the prettiest fish around but no joke, your algae will be GONE within 3 days. Additionally they don't get bigger than 4-5", aren't poop factories like other plecos, and will aggressively consume algae throughout their entire life span (unlike some other plecos and algae eaters).

African cichlids, and specifically mbuna, don't really eat the algae in the tank as a primary source of food (they may occasionally eat some of it, more out of curiousity or a snack rather than genuinely consuming it). The type of algae they eat in the wild (called aufwuchs) is very different than the algae that grows in your tank.

Answer 4

hi, something rather a plec will do, i did used to have some sucking loaches in a cichlid tank with 2 to 3 inch long cichlids and that they have been super, yet while the cichlids are larger then they possibly does no longer blend as sucking loaches purely get to approximately 2 inches long. besides in my cichlid tank I actually have a purple tailed or rainbow shark in there which does a solid job.

Answer 5

I had a 30 gallon African Cichlid tank with 3 cichlids and 1 very large Placo. I never had trouble with algae and they all seemed to get along well together.

Answer 6

I would get snails instead. Their hard shells and large size make it harder for the cichlids to eat them. They will eat the algae.

Answer 7

you probably have a lot of phosphates in your water. Do a drastic 75% water change 2-3 time in one week. WHen you top off water to compensate for evaporation, use distilled water. May condier a RO system.

Hope this helps

Answer 8

if u have a light in there, then u should turn off the light of, because it makes it grow, or get a snial to eat it. i think they also have drops u put in the water to reduce the algae growht

Answer 9

use phospate-sillicate remover, this is a special filtration material for removing the phosphate and silicate that enter the pond/tank from tap water, rain runoff, uneaten fish food, and decomposing vegetation, etc...

it will help to remove algae...

Answer 10

Try a Snail. A black or gold mystery snail would work well with the Cichlids.