aquariums-how does one keep it clean?

Question

50 gal tank, stays clean for about 1 week then alge starts growing, timer for lights, fish not over fed

Answer 1

Well, you should be doing weekly water changes anyhow. That's how you remove the nitrates which build up when the nitrifying bacteria convert the toxic ammonia and nitrites into nitrates - and nitrate is algae food :)
I use a syphon tube and suck up about 30% of the water, and vacuum the gravel too. I also wipe down the sides with an algae sponge.
I never ever replace the filter sponge - that's where all your beneficial bacteria are. I do, though, rinse them in old tank water when they get gunky and frequently clean the actual filter motor (impeller).

Answer 2

Clean the gravel once a month and do 20% water changes once a week.

Green algae means you have a health tank but the build up is unsightly, I agree. Mine is set up too close to a window and the algae builds up very quickly, I use a razor blade or one of those magnetic cleaners you slide along the glass. I would like to move it but I don't have the help needed to do so.

Get an algae cleaner fish and that will help. I have not had much luck with algae eaters, they would get down under the filter and not be seen again.

Is your tank over populated? if so the water changes may need to be done more frequently.

Answer 3

What part of the house is your tank in? If it is by the window you are going to have algae. Also how warm is your tank? Anything above 75* algae seems to grow faster. How long is the timer on? The timer should not be on for more then 8 hours a day. Also it should be on during the day time not at night. You want to get about 3 Plecos if you do not have them already and maybe about 6 snails as well. That will help keep your tank clean. Stay away from any liquid algae removers they do NOT work! Trust me. Other wise do you normal Monthly cleaning. Change 25% of the water once a month as well as changing your filters. You don't want to do more changes then once a month. Its bad for the fish.

Answer 4

the answerer above me has his nitrites confused with nitrAtes...nitrates are tolerable in concentrations of under 40 ppm. Nitrites are poison, as is ammonia. NitrAtes are algae food...20-30 percent water change every other week or so will keep a tank healthy. Scraping the algea off the sides with a magnetic algae sponge once a week keeps the glass clean. Syphon the gravel once a month & change the carbon once a month (not at the same time though) and that should keep your tank clean & healthy

Answer 5

Water changes regularly to keep the nitrate down.
Vacuuming of the gravel regularly to prevent an excess buildup of waste.
If applicable, replacement of an under-gravel filter with an easy-to-clean power type.
Make sure the tank isn't overstocked.
Test for excess levels of Phosphates.

And finally, the best way to keep down the algae growth in my experience is very simple - don't leave the aquarium lights on.

This only works if you do not use live plants. The ambient light in a room (unless the room has no windows, in which case you can simply keep the room lights on) is usually plenty for the fish to see by, and you can keep algae growth back by simply only keeping on the lights when you are viewing the tank. Having the fish go by ambient room lighting is not harmful to them in any way.

Answer 6

I have a 50 gallon tank also, and i have some ghost shrimp and a sucker fish in it. they do a good job at keeping it clean. I change the water once every other week, add very little aquarium salt, and the shrimp do the rest. never had a problem with alge after i got the shrimp. hope this helps.

Answer 7

Your problem is Nitrate build up. This will allow the Algae to flourish. Do a partial water change about once a week for about 6 weeks and limit your time on the lights. Then you can go back to your normal 20% water changes every two to three weeks. You might also consider using RO/DI water if you are using tap water. This is the smae rule of thumb with either fresh or salt water. I keep reef aquariums. The latest greatest products for aquaria now are denitrifiers. They work.

Answer 8

If your lights are super bright that might be part of the problem. I turn on only one side of my light during the day while I am at work(and they aren't very bright) and then turn on the other side as well when I get home from work. I dont have any problems with algee at all. I clean out my 125 gallon tank once a week. I have five 3inch oscars in there as of right now, and they produce a lot of...waste.

Answer 9

what color is the algae? assuming its green give the tank a lot less light a day. you can kill off algae with maracyn -- an antibiotic for fish. there is also a treatment with you keeping the tank in complete darkness for about 3 days. cover the sides and let no light in. try growing some plants -- they consume the nutrients that algae would thrive on.

Answer 10

Try this cleaning cloth. You have to buy in packages of 5 but they are only like $3 bucks a piece. I have ordered them and use them on everything, especially cleaning windows and clean mirrors. They are made out of tiny fibers. They are guaranteed not to scratch and all you do is rinse the cloth under water, wring it out and wipe ANY surface with no streaks or scratch. Use em over and over. I have not thrown one away yet!
I even waxed my car with it! I am sold on this ...I encourage you to try it out.