Brownish Algae problem

[Novaman1967]

Hey people got a small problem i cant figure out.

In my 125 Gallon tank i have only the one motoro stingray for now. The tank had been running since march of this year.

Now every 2 days or so, i constantly get patches of this brownish green algae, mostly brown though.

I know it wont hurt anything, its just so time consuming right now with me working crazy hours at work.

Why is this stuff appearing so much,i clean it off the glass and all thats in the tank too. It looks good for a day or so then starts popping up again.


I do a water change every 3 to 5 days,and vaccum the bottome just about every day.

The last test results 2 days ago were, Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrates about 40ppm and PH 6.5.

Just need some advice on how to kill this stuff??

THanks

Regards Novaman

 

[oTo]

How much light is the tank exposed to? Does sunlight reach the tank? Do you leave the lights on?

 

[Novaman1967]

The lights are on about 8 to 10 hrs a day at different times, i have them on timers.

 

[PeteLockwood]

If you're that busy at work I'm guessing you're not in front of the tank 8-10 hours a day so maybe try reducing the light period?

 

[Novaman1967]

Thanks for the tip,i will reduce the light times, When i am at home i am always chekcing out the ray tank, Changing water every few days, vaccuming the bottom and making sure not to overfeed him.

 

[Chrisplosion]

I had the same problem in my tank as well. Added a pleco and a few ***s later it was all gone. Haven't had a problem since. You should get a good a smaller pleco like a rubbernose or a bristle nose because they don't get nearly as big as most.

 

[PeteLockwood]

You should get a good a smaller pleco like a rubbernose or a bristle nose because they don't get nearly as big as most.

Do you have rays?

 

[Novaman1967]

ok but plecos i would think would maybe hurt the rays, since they like to suck on anything they can onto and my concern would be the rays eyes sticking out of the sand when he burys himself. right now i have cut back the lighting and it has slowed down a bit. For now i just clean it evey few days when i vaccum the bottom of the tank.


Any one else got ideas on any tankmates to add to help rid of the algae.

Regards Novaman

 

[Just Toby]

some people seem to be ok with Rays and Plecos but it is quite hit and miss. I think that maybe an ancistrus which is very well fed may be ok in some instances but you need to be prepared to act at the slightest bit of trouble.

Most people say that it is not worth the trouble.

If you also keep your Nitrates and Phosphates close to zero this will help stop Algae.