Algae Bloom in a 300 gallon tank?

Question

We decided to try our hands at a pond environment in a troughlike tank. It holds 300 gallons but we only fill it up to the 150 gallons. In it we have plants on block stones which are above the water. In it are bamboo, elephant ears and asparagus fern. In one of the pots we have water irises and another water plant submerged in the water within a pot.

We have alot of AB and have lost 2 of our 7 fish. One fish looked like something ate it's anal fin and the other looked like the algae started growing on it's scales. II don't even know if the others are alive because I can't see them. Except for "Grandpa". He's still kicking.

Any advise?
Leapingfroglady

Answer 1

The algae could be the result of plant foods in the plant containers. You will have to change or filter your water some way.The fin rot on the fish is probably caused by ammonia burns. I maintained two such ponds for several years,but I built in filtered overflows and let every rain fall be a water change. This was in a yard that was supplied with well water,so if it didn't rain I'd just run the hose out and do an overflow water change. I rigged the overflow through the drain hole in the bottom of the Rubbermaid horse trough to a piece of semi-rigid water pipe and a couple of Barbed elbows,it worked like a charm. I visited the old homestead the other day and the water lilies are still alive,as is the Foxtail and Duckweed.This is with no maintenance at all for 3 years. Of course there were no fish through this period of time,but they could be stocked as soon as the water temps are suitable. My advise, clean up the water.Good luck.----PeeTee

Answer 2

Purchase some barley straw and put it in a mesh bag with a brick or rock and sink it in the pond. The algae should clear up in about a week or two. As barley straw breaks down, it releases an enzyme that gets rid of algae, but will not harm the fish. It shouldn't take much for 150 - 300 gallon tank. Usually you can get it for about $5 - $6 a bale, and a bale should last you a year.

Answer 3

Light and nutrients are your main problems. You can dilute the nutrients by doing a partial water change and removing any dead plant parts in the water. The existing algae, you'll need to remove by scraping if it's an attached form. Barley straw will work to reduce/prevent new algae, but it doesn't do anything for what's already there. You can use floating plants like water lettuce, water hyacinth, and others that will also halp absorb nutrients and shade the water below them to prevent algae from gettting as much light for photosynthesis. Floating leaved plants like water lilies can do this as well.

You might want to consider adding some oxygenators (Elodea or other submerged plants), an airstone, or pump to circulate the water if you don't use one to provide extra dissolved oxygen to your fish.

Once you impove the water quality by removing the excess nutrients on which your algae is feeding, you may find your fish will recover.

Answer 4

u didnt say what kind of algae. i assume its green which means u are getting too much light and u have too much nutrients in water. cover the tank with a tarp or whatever to remove light for a couple of days. do water change to get out excess nutrients. u can also get some algae stop chemicals. check for plant safe variety. be aware that algae stop makes the algae clump up and u will need to clean filter daily for awhile. love all your pants. my water lilies are just now starting to come back in the pond. ooh, also buy a plecostumos, they love algae.

Answer 5

A few things to consider...

High nitrate/nitrite levels or phosphate levels can promote algae growth.

Light time, wish so many plants I assume you use high intensity or natural sun light, this will encourage algae growth you might consider cutting down light time.

Freshwater S.A.T. is also supposed to promote water clarity. The dosing should be regular (I think you dose once or twice a month and should see results within two weeks of first dosing).

Anyway, best advice test your water, such outlandish algae growth is often a symptom of poor water quality.

Answer 6

algae bloom ...eutripification.

could be that you are introducing to much phosphat or nitrogen into your tank