algae problems

[Fishyfan]

i am having a horrible time with algae in all of my tanks...it looks disgusting. how do you guys keep algae out of your tanks, or how do you keep it so it doesnt take over?

 

[Fishyfan]

i am having a horrible time with algae in all of my tanks...it looks disgusting. how do you guys keep algae out of your tanks, or how do you keep it so it doesnt take over?

Anyone know what this algae is? its covering everything:

 

[js302]

How big is that tank?
How stocked is it?

Magnetic scraper for the front glass, gravel cleaner gently on plant leaves to pull their algae off.

Algone treatment? Phosphate sponge? Nitrate sponge? More frequent water changes?

 

[Oddball]

That brown algae is a tough nut to crack. All it needs to grow is standard lighting, nitrates, and phosphate. Your system uses up phosphates quickly enough. However, the water changes needed to reduce nitrates also adds new phosphates into the tank.
The best way to combat brown algae is to introduce a few otocinclus catfish to the system. These diminutive catfish graze primarily on simple algaes, hair algae, and brown algae. They won't harm the fish in your pic.
If otos aren't possible, a phosphate sponge in your filter will remove part of the equation that the algae needs to sustain itself. Also, reducing the time the lights are on and reducing the amount of food entering the tank will curtail the growth of the algae.

 

[Fishyfan]

That brown algae is a tough nut to crack. All it needs to grow is standard lighting, nitrates, and phosphate. Your system uses up phosphates quickly enough. However, the water changes needed to reduce nitrates also adds new phosphates into the tank.
The best way to combat brown algae is to introduce a few otocinclus catfish to the system. These diminutive catfish graze primarily on simple algaes, hair algae, and brown algae. They won't harm the fish in your pic.
If otos aren't possible, a phosphate sponge in your filter will remove part of the equation that the algae needs to sustain itself. Also, reducing the time the lights are on and reducing the amount of food entering the tank will curtail the growth of the algae.

Thanks
Im sure if i put otos in there, they would be killed by the julies...I have a thing of phosban though. Is that a good enough phosphate removing media?

Do you know what kind of algae it is? does it look like BBA to you? I posted on a planted tank forum to see if they knew what kind of algae it it and they said that its BBA and i need to does Florish Excel to kill it...

 

[guppy]

Brown hair algae.
Try more frequent water changes and gravel vacs, as well as fast growing higher plants such as elodea to reduce nitrate levels. You can also add a uv tube after cleaning as much out as you can.

 

[Fishyfan]

Brown hair algae.
Try more frequent water changes and gravel vacs, as well as fast growing higher plants such as elodea to reduce nitrate levels. You can also add a uv tube after cleaning as much out as you can.

i used to have a huge clump of anacharis in there but it died for some reason
Wheres the best place to get a UV sterilizer?

heres a full tank shot:

 

[mac]

start with very frequent small water changes, cut back on feeding, buy a phosreactor, and a uv sterilizer and dont use any plant fertilizers, add some water sprite very vast growing and will compete vigorously with that scum. ottos would be ok in there

 

[mac]

how long do you run your lights? do you keep them on a timer?

 

[davo]

bristlenose plec.