Aquariums exposed to any sort of light will have in one time or another have algae in them. There are many ways in which you can control their growth:
-Keep lights on for 8-12 hours (use a timer to make it auto)
-keep it away from places where sunlight will directly hit it.
-algae eaters. I have a 6" pleco in my planted tank, but considering in replacing it with some ottos. So far, my pleco is a BIG helper in cleaning everything (expept getting rid of the green algae spots which are hard clean off).
-powerhead or any circulation pump to have the underwater current in motion, preventing stagnant water.
Although, there is no such thing as having an algae free tank. I still get algae even though and its just a matter of using a algae cleaner magnant or just using my hands. But considerably, its less algae to clean than a tank infested by algae. Hope this helps!
2007-03-22 21:27:48
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answer #1
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answered by flipnotik 3
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That is a clear sign that you have a healthy system. Green algea is good for the tank. I wouldn't add another algae eater as the one you have will have plenty to eat as well as the other fish. My fish love to graze on it all day and didn't start to really grow until the tank got blanketed in a green carpet. Wipe it off on the front and if you must the sides but leave the back and bottom and all the decor to get covered in it. A U.V. sterilizer will rid your tank of green water when that happens in a few months. So don't worry you are doing it right and the green stuff is the indicator. If the algae is not green, and is brown, red or purple, make sure to get rid of that stuff by wiping with an algae scraper and a water change, those colors indicate the system is not correct.
2007-03-23 10:44:22
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answer #2
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answered by Sunday P 5
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Use a good external filter like the one in the link at the bottom of my post. Ensure that you clean the filter fairly regularly. Do not go crazy with changing out water. The more often you change water, the more chance you get of having bad PH levels and the water being too "hard". As a general rule, changing 1/3 of the water every 3-4 months should be alright. Get yourself a home water tester to make sure your PH, nitrate, nitrite, carbon levels are alright. You may have to treat your water with chemicals to get everything to a safe level since you have changed out so much water.
You also want to get some alge eatting fish. The ones that "suck" on the glass are really good to keep the inside of the glass clean, but you also want some that swim around more and eat off the bottom(Mollies). We call them PanzerWaelle, not sure how they are called in English. They look like little catfish. There are thing silver fish with a single black stripe from head to tail that are good too. They also eat snails which will be a problem if you get new plants.
As a reference, I just started my tank again for the first time in about 3 years. It is about 50-60gal, no plants yet, just water and the base stones, 1 wooden log, and 1 stone. I've had the water in there for 2 weeks now and the PH & Nitrate levels are still not right. It can take a while to get your water to a safe level so be patient. Not too much chemicals at one time.
2007-03-23 04:34:33
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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You can get a treatment from the pet store also ensure the tank is not in direct sunlight check that the light source you are using is not the UV type for plant IE. Grow Lux. A standard White or Daylight fluorescent tube is best. Keep your filter clean, half change the water once every 2 weeks.
Get an algae eater fish IE. Plecostomus are great for larger tanks or Siamese Algae eaters for smaller tanks
2007-03-23 07:57:23
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answer #4
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answered by Dreamweaver 4
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Hi if you go to a pet shop you can buy this stuff called phosphate, you put it into the leg of a tight and put it into the tank near the filter and it will clear all the algae.
It works really well as my tank is in sunlight most of the day in the conservatory as has little algae in it at all.
2007-03-25 07:18:39
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answer #5
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answered by beckie_deeuk 1
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Its very hard to keep the tank clear what i find helps is to change 1/4 of the tanks water once every week or two. But also its good to have more algae cleaners. What you can buy is a glass scruber thats magnetic and its saves you so much time and you dont have to put your hand in the tank to clean it they cost about £5. Hope this helps you.
2007-03-23 03:32:24
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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All aquariums will get algae sooner or later - the only way to keep the aquarium algae free is to clean and wash it out regularly (change the water, man!). There are ways to reduce the algae from forming so quickly and they are (i) keep away from direct sunlight, (ii) get a better filtering system.
2007-03-23 03:31:01
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answer #7
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answered by Seng Kim T 5
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an ideal tropical tank should have a slight tint of yellow a crystal clear tank is not good, to avoid algi keep away from windows, don't keep your light on for more than 5 hrs a day and on a fully mature tank do a water change every 2 to 3 weeks
2007-03-23 09:52:21
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answer #8
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answered by doggy dog 3
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Algae eaters are never a bad idea, but you should just scrub the tanks daily. You can buy a tank scrubbing sponge at your local pet store.
2007-03-23 03:22:27
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answer #9
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answered by Stephanie V 3
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Installing filters will help. You can also buy a janitor fish - it feeds on algae.
2007-03-23 03:31:07
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answer #10
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answered by Taran 3
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