Algae Problem!

[sasquatch]

one thing I found that really helps with algae outbreaks is to have your lights go off half way thru the photo period for an hour or so, really messes up the algae

[Angel Girl]

actually I kind of like the way the algae looks on my plants it looks cool!

[PEMfish]

Its bad for live plants, blocks light.

[Aquadelight]

There are many ways to manage algae in your freshwater tank. Most are dependent on the fish and if you plan to keep plants.

Otocinclus are always a good idea, but are seasonal in most LFS and small. They will not do well in semi-agressive or agressive tanks.

There are many types of plecos. The Omnivores do not tend to eat algae much. Common plecos get very big and territorial. Bristle nose plecos are the best algae eaters for glass, rock and plants of all the plecos. In y opinion, stay away from the albinos and other colors.

True siamese algae eaters (must be absolutely sure this is what it is) are also good. Fying Fox and chinese algae eaters stop eating algae as adults.

If you have a planted tank, you can make sure your plants out compete the algae for nutrients in the water. Don't over feed the plants. I have a 55 gallon tank that overflows with plants and no algae. I don't even need to scrape the sides. I do not inject CO2. I use Flourish Excel as the only plant additive. I have no ottos. I have 2 rare vegitarian plecos that mainly eat the cucumbers I put in the tank plus they chew on the wood pieces I have in the tank. In other words, the healthy plants do the majority of the work in keeping the algae out.

[Frankie]

Great info everyone! i never had a planted tank before so i have very little info to give my daughter. I use to breed fresh water fish for money in the 80's but those were BB tanks that got daily water changes. Never had these issues. Lee's tank is pretty clean. It is not as bad as she thinks.

[dianezoo]

There is a small pleco that remains very tiny called a pitbull pleco they eat algea like crazy.

[Frankie]

Thanks for chiming in dianezoo! welcome to RS btw!
Like i said in the beginning. All it really needed was some elbow grease. The tank is looking rather nice these days. I will get some pictures up this week if Lee wants them.

[dianezoo]

Thank you for the welcome...I've been away a long time. Oh and forget the pitbull he'll be lost in 120 gal There only about 2 inches dripping wet!

[Aqua Pro]

I usually try to use plant to outgrow the algae such as in this tank, Aqua Pro Builder - Award Winning FW Planted Tank/Wingo_Ecosystem_20G_Extra_Tall

Java moss is one, the other one floating on the top is two, there are more types we can use but you just have to find out there characteristic. Some systems I even use positional lighting because I build custom LEDs, so they are very easy to made into spotlight arrangement. DIY your own i snot hard either

[ramora]

How long do you set the photoperiod? when is the last time you replaced the
bulbs? How often do you perform water changes? Have you tested your tapwater for nitrates & phosphorus. Do you have a algea clean up squad.
If not I recommend the plecostomus. These are just a few things to consider
that will help get rid of this pesky algea.

[Frankie]

Thanks ramora! All valid points. Her lighting is brand new on for 8 hours about.
Every two weeks on water changes.
She uses RO/Di from my reefs top off tower
Not much of a clean up crew in her freshwater system other then the algae eaters. I'll get some pictures up for her tomorrow. She has been busy in school work latley. She did ask me to tell you all shes getting a hamster on Saturday.