How do you kill alge off a tank (fish/turtlr)?

Question

I have some growing but when i clean it comes back!

Answer 1

Algae are mostly-photosynthetic organisms that sometimes resemble plants but are not plants, having no true roots, stems or leaves. Algae grow in freshwater and saltwater. Saltwater algae are sometimes referred to as "seaweed." Like plants, algae require light and nutrients to grow. We supply plenty of both in our aquariums, with several hours of aquarium lighting a day and nutrients like nitrates and phosphates from fish waste.

Algae come in many forms. There are microscopic, one-celled algae, filamentous algae that resemble hair, algae that grow in sheets, and macroalgae that look like plants. There are even algae that live inside the outer integument ("skin") or calcium shell of some corals, anemones, and other sessile invertebrates called zooxanthellae. There are slimy-looking algae that are often not algae at all, but a colony of primitive photosynthetic organisms known as cyanobacteria. There are also very hard-to-remove little dots of green that sometimes grow on aquarium panels which also are not algae, but diatom or radiolarian colonies (microscopic, one-celled, animals with hard shells) with algae incorporated in their matrix. With all that said, let us answer some common questions right up front:

Algae growth is inevitable in an aquarium.
Algae consume nutrients in the aquarium that if allowed to accumulate, are harmful to fish. Algae can be a good thing.
The presence of green algae in an aquarium indicates a healthy environment for fish.
There is absolutely no way to completely prevent algae from growing in an aquarium, without killing the other life in the tank.
Chemicals should never be used to control the growth of true algae in an aquarium, and should only be used in rare circumstances to control cyanobacteria.
Correcting a severe algae problem requires time and patience.
Natural methods of controlling algae are the best and most effective.

Algae removal from the tank panels can be done on an as-needed basis, but no more than once a week. Removing algae involves either correcting negative water conditions to control or slow excessive algae growth, or an age-old process known as "elbow grease" (scrubbing it off!). Algae removal in an aquarium should be done only when necessary. We have seen many aquariums where daily removal of algae resulted in fish that were so stressed, most had diseases and were dying. You should never remove all of the algae from your tank. Allowing some algae to grow in the aquarium can be beneficial to the aquatic environment. When algae is removed from aquarium side panels, care should be taken to select an algae scrubber that will not hurt the finish of an aquarium. Be careful not to get gravel caught in an algae scrubbing pad where it can scratch the aquarium. Never use household cleaning pads to remove algae. They contain fungicides that kill fish.

Your first mistake is boiling the water. Boiling water consentrates the nitrates in it causing algae to grow even faster. However, I've never heard of it growing within an hour Wow!

First, test the water you are filling up your tank with. Many public water supplies (our homes) have a concentration of nitrates at around 7ppm or higher. (Bottled water is no better).

This could be the start of your problem.
Be sure your tank is not within direct or indirect lighting such as a window or in a room where the lights are on constantly. Is you tank near a heat source. Sometimes we do not take into consideration a fishtank is near a heat register which can and does add additional temperature changes to your tank.

Did you clean the filter as well? Be sure the entire filter is cleaned and free of algae.

Use a razor or scraper and gently scrape all sides of your tank. Clean your gravel and return it to the tank as well. DO NOT wash the gravel in the tank. The residues of the algae will remain.

Since you have NO FISH I am assuming, use cold water to start your tank. Algae likes heat and light. Using cold water will prohibit growth. Allow your tank to run bringing it to room temperature. Then you can plug in your heater allowing your tank to run.

If you have a stick on thermometer, get yourself a floating one. The stick on thermometers pick up ambient air temperatures from OUTSIDE the tank and can be up to 10 degrees off. DON"T trust them. Try keeping your tank at 72 for a couple of days.

You can also purchase phosphorus pads for around $2.00 at your local pet store. These can be cut to fit with your filter and remove large amounts of phosphorus. These can be reused over and over just remember to rinse them out well when you clean your tank.

Test your water. Since you have not gone thru the cycle process allow your tank to run. This should really help with the algae. If you find your water quality is all your tank isn't near a heat or light source, ok but still getting algae turn the temperature down or off and let it run. You will want to scrape the sides of the tank and do a water change no more than 20% every other day. This should only be done if the algae returns in a heavy form.

If you need any more help, you can im or email me.

Answer 2

What kind of fish do you have? What water temperature do they require? I used to own all kinds of goldfish, tropical fish, and other creatures like fresh water frogs. A lot of them require light, and, unfortunately, you need to scrape your tank all the time- it's a real pain! You could get yourself some catfish to clean the bottom and sucker fish to help eat the algae off the glass, but you will probably have to still scrape your tank unless you have fish that do not mind living in the dark. A good bottom filter may help or, if you can afford it, a filter system where the filter is actually cut into the glass of your tank that cycles new fresh water into the tank all the time. Be careful of using certain chemicals said to help reduce algae until you know that the type of fish and turtles that you have will not die from this. Besides algae, keep in mind that many turtles also carry salmonella- so always wash your hands after you pick them up or put your hands into your tank.

Answer 3

Get these little fish called chinese algae eaters... they clean way better than any pleco's ever did.

They're cheap so buy a few of them!

I have to shop around to find them a decent size. Petsmart is pretty good.
Petco has only the teeny ones.

Also, be sure the tank doesn't get too much sunlight, and perhaps lessen the time the tank light is on.

Answer 4

Magicman answered it well. I just wanted to add that if you wanted to add some algae eaters do some research first. You will find that most "algae eaters" do not eat algae. The ones that do get very large and will outgrow most tanks rapidly. The smaller ones that do, including snails are just that, small, and they don't eat enough to make much of a difference.

Your best bet is to keep the lighting to a minimum, don't overfeed, and keep cleaning it out on a regular basis.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Algae needs two things. Light and nutrients.

Decrease the light by leaving your tank light off as much as possible. Just turn it on when you are there to see the tank. The fish don't really need the light, but the algae does.

Decrease the nutrients by doing more frequent and larger water changes or by adding floating live plants.

Over time this will decrease or eliminate the algae problem.

MM

Answer 6

you're conversing relating to the interior a fish tank impressive? I actual have stumbled on that a razor blade works the terrific, in simple terms run it around the glass gently so which you do not scratch it and it could do away with the algae no situation. additionally undergo in suggestions the area of a fish tank is significant, regardless of if it somewhat is in direct image voltaic algae will breed swifter, because it loves the gentle!

Answer 7

Green algea is good for the system. You can't get rid of it and why would you? Let it grow as much as you can tolerate. I only clean off the front surface of my aquarium and everything else is blanketed in green! Helps keep nitrates low and adds oxygen.

Answer 8

first clean the whole tank and start fresh. there are treatments for the water to prohibit the algae growth, but your best bet would be to get an algae eater or two, size accordingly for the tank but big enough so that the turtles dont eat them . get the big black ones, not the chinese they are mean.

Answer 9

Lower temp a few degrees and keep light OFF at overnight.

Answer 10

get your tank a couple of placostamus' they will eat the algae. and they won't harm the other creatures in your tank as chemicals can. for small ones they are under $10.00. good luck!!