How do i eliminate alge on my fish tank?

Question

I have three fish and one alge eater...we just got done taking all the live plants out because we assumed it was too much. Yet the alge is just way over bearing and our alge eater can't keep up with the 10gal tank.What can we do?

the alge eater is a chinese butterfly?...does that make a diffrence?

Answer 1

i just posted this in another algae thread, but anyways, here it is again.

check out the source i listed below. here is a passage from that page, it will have all the answers to your questions on algae. i would suggest against the magnetic algae scraper since they are not very effective. it is better to just get one of those algae scrapingg sponges from any fish/pet store. also, i would suggest on holding back from adding chemicals. they should always be a last resort.

passage from my linked source...

"It is normal for algae to begin to return within two weeks after being removed. Algae multiply rapidly. If, however, algae returns within a day or two, this may indicate a problem with either light or water quality. Algae requires light and nutrients to grow. If the tank receives too much light, is over-fed, or is over-stocked, algae problems will usually occur...

...An over-fed or over-stocked aquarium will result in the accumulation of organics that algae feed on, resulting in rapid algae growth. Warmer aquariums grow algae faster. Fish-only tanks should be 78ºF, and reef tanks and planted aquarium ideally should be 74ºF to 76ºF. If the aquarium receives direct, or bright indirect natural sunlight from a nearby window, draw the blinds or move the aquarium! In a fish-only aquarium, lights should be on for about eight hours. If the lights are on longer, algae will return at a more rapid rate. Aquarium lights should never be on for more than twelve hours. This grows more algae and is bad for the fish. Cleaning an aquarium too thoroughly makes algae grow back faster! Leave a little algae in your tank when you clean."

Answer 2

Fish that eat different types of algae:

Plecos will eat just about all types of algae, and plants too. Some get too large, but the bristlenose and other Ancistris sp. only get a few inches long. Other considerations would be Peckoltia sp. and there are some nice ones, but they can be expensive, they all eat plants though. I use them to keep brown algae under control in low light aquariums.

Guppies are good for eating green fibrous or hair algae and don't really bother plants. The best for Green hair algea is by far the Siamese Algae eater, or Crossocheilus siamensis, difficult to find and often confused with the Flying Fox, it's the algae eater of choice. Won't touch the brown algae though.

Red algae, being a cyanobacteria is somewhat different. I've heard that using antibiotics can rid an outbreak of this, but I've never had an outbreak. Usually algae outbreaks occur when a tank is stabilizing and often will correct themselves, or atleast become bearable with time and normal water changes.

Some fish NOT to consider for controlling algae:

Chinese Algae Eaters can get really big, sometimes up to 11", and they can be VERY aggressive as the get older. Some only reach about 6", but still, three or four 6" aggressive fish in a peaceful community aquarium will wreak havoc in no time.

The Flying Fox is also agressive when it gets older and it's appetite for algae decreases with age.

Oto's are good, but so many of the so called "Killer Oto's" have gotten into the trade that it's a good fish to avoid unless you are very careful.

So for the unplanted aquarium, the smaller plecos work great, and one is more than enough.

For Planted, use the Siamensis, great fish and fun to watch. They actually rest on broad leaf plants, they're so cool. Make sure you are buying a Siamensis!!!!! There are ways to check!

Control what goes in the tank, fish food and chemicles, NEVER EVER use chemicles that alter PH, they often contain phosphates and you can controll ph with much more natural means like peat moss or baking soda

Never use an algae destroying chemicle either.

Light + Nutrient = Plants

No plants=Algae because there is nothing to use the excess nutrient.

A UV sterilizer or Diatom filter will remove some of the nutrient, but you will always have some algae, it's actually means your tank is healthy.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Change your light bulb. Older light bulbs produce lower spectrum light which promotes algae growth. Also, you should be feeding less food and changing more water every week. It will help cut down on the nitrates that feed the algae. Use bottled spring water for the water changes as your tap water probably contains phosphates (liquid fertilizer). Buy a couple of large snail (they won't add a significant bio-load and put your plants back in, they will compete with the algae for food to grow with.
A

Answer 4

A summary:
-Make sure the tank is not in direct sunlight.
-Decrease the amount of time the tank lights are on try 10% decrease and then go down as needed.
-Japanese Alagea eaters suck for eating most types of alage they are picky????
-Get a flying fox I have found that they are the best for eating all types of alagea and they stay small. Should be able to squeeze one into the tank.
-Snails is a terrible idea trading one problem for another problem.

Good luck OT

Answer 5

Note that plants will decrease the amount of algae. Algae grow is generally caused by too much of the following, light, nitrates, and plant nutrients like phosphate.

- Avoid direct sunlight, and don't leave on the aqaurium light on.
- You should test your nitrates. If they are high you should start changing out about 10% of your water daily until nitrate levels are below 10 ppm.
- Get a mystery/apple/trapdoor snail. (They won't reproduce if you only get one, and if you have 2 they won't reproduce fast.)
- Scrub the sides of the tank with dish scrubber.

Answer 6

Since you removed the live plants consider snails. Get a Mystery Snail or another species. They can be cool to watch too. There are some species that will take over, like the ones who hitchhike home from pet stores. The tiny black ones. They are great for algae, but breed so fast they cause their own problems. If you don't mind occasionally mass murdering snails, they will do well for you.
Good Luck

Answer 7

one algae eater should be plenty for a 10gal tank... Just make sure your tank is away from direct sunlight during the day... If you have it near a window and it is getting sun that could be causing the algea to grow faster...

Answer 8

Your tank may be getting too much light, which causes algae to thrive. Try moving it away from the windows and regulating the light yourself. Also buy another Algea eater or two.

Answer 9

Someone said convert to salt water and you won't have to worry about it. Wrong, I went from fresh to brackish to salt over a 20 year period, and there is always algae. just different kinds. The best way to deal with it is filtration, agitation (for salt) and partial water changes. along with keeping the inside glass clean. If your relatively new to the aquarium hobby and thought you could just put fish in and look at them without the cost and labor of keeping pleasant to look at I hate to disappoint you but its work.

Answer 10

Go to the pet store and ask one of the people that work with the fish. Be specific on what kind of fish you have and what things you already use. Maybe your filter isn't filtering right or something. I hope this helps