Algae in a Cichlid Tank

[Dr Joe]

What kind of filter system do you have?

What's the chemistry in the tank?

Can you afford a UV sterilizer? If your filter system allows it, install in return line. If not there are self-contained ones. This will kill any floating algae & spores etc. Clean the tank (remove any large itemsand clean them sepately, keep out till session is done) & do a 50% W/C, cover the tank for 3-4 days so no light can get in, keep feeding to a minimum during this time. If your fish are salt tolerent (your personal fish not just the species) you can add 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water to the tank for the duration of this session (W/C's will get rid of it after, it's just to shock the algae along with everthing else). After this if you can set your lighting for 2hrs on 2hrs off for awhile (month ish) this will disrupt the algae growth cycle and help kill it.

Control nutrients, basically meaning feed only what they eat.

This works in most cases of brown or green algae.

If you were closer I'd let you borrow my 15" pleco.

Keep us posted on what works.

Dr Joe

.

 

[sajica]

What kind of filter system do you have?

What's the chemistry in the tank?

Can you afford a UV sterilizer? If your filter system allows it, install in return line. If not there are self-contained ones. This will kill any floating algae & spores etc. Clean the tank (remove any large itemsand clean them sepately, keep out till session is done) & do a 50% W/C, cover the tank for 3-4 days so no light can get in, keep feeding to a minimum during this time. If your fish are salt tolerent (your personal fish not just the species) you can add 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water to the tank for the duration of this session (W/C's will get rid of it after, it's just to shock the algae along with everthing else). After this if you can set your lighting for 2hrs on 2hrs off for awhile (month ish) this will disrupt the algae growth cycle and help kill it.

Control nutrients, basically meaning feed only what they eat.

This works in most cases of brown or green algae.

If you were closer I'd let you borrow my 15" pleco.

Keep us posted on what works.

Dr Joe

.

This is a little overkill for a small amount of brown algae. Just use an alage magnet for the glass and try a pleco for all else. The above is good if you have a green water issue.