Green algae scum

[calpoly12]

Scraping the algae off would be a wise choice

 

[TMartinez]

Scraping the algae off would be a wise choice

I concur... LOL

My wife and I are discussing moving it. However with a 13 month old and the fact we live in an apartment are options are limited. His stuff is spread out everywhere plus I don't want him to accidentally knock it over or something...

I'm gonna take out the clown and clean off the glass when I get home and hunt down some snails.

Now swiping down the glass puts alot into the water... I guess just replace my filters afterward?

 

[calpoly12]

Ya I would clean out the filters anyway as they probably have some junk in them. I definitely understand the confined space as I'm living with two others in a college apartment. If for some reason you cant move it, a black background would help to keep some of the direct light from the window entering the the backside of the tank and wouldnt look to bad. It also helps to hide some of the hardware that hangs on the tank. Good call on the snails, they will definitely make a difference!

 

[nonstophoops]

I agree to some extent. Yes nutrients are a factor, but the external light source is an issue in-and-of itself. From purely personal experience and vast research, every tank I have ever seen and/or read about that is next to a window experiences major algae problems. The extent of these problems normally lies outside what the average aquarium would experience if said aquarium was positioned in a area restricted to minimal light exposure. Granted most tanks will experience algae problems, especially newly set up tanks, but aquariums that are positioned next to windows tend to have extended algae problems throughout their duration. With this being the case, I highly suggest that that the tank is repositioned.

Even though the tank could be maintained by the window, it is going to be much more or a hassle in comparison to placing it in a dark room. If the tank was a "show tank" and maintained purely for its aesthetic value (ie restaurant, center piece, etc.) than ya I would say go for the best position to offer the most visual appeal. But, in the case of most people the aquarium is set up for their own viewing pleasure with the occasional outsider.

I am assuming that in this particular case, the reason for the tank is not necessarily to appeal to anyone who walks in the door. If, however, that is the case, simply moving it into a darker portion of the room would be enough to lessen the impact caused from outside light sources.

That's my reasoning behind the decision to move the tank. The final decision is 100% yours. If it makes you happy to have it in the location it resides in right now, then leave it ! I am just trying to offer guidance to establishing a tank that will offer more reward than headaches.

I do not disagree with you. Moving the tank would be best either way, but I would try the things I have proposed before moving it because that is a lot of work.

Keeping the blinds closed as much as possible will definitely help here. If you want to always have the blinds open I would say that moving it is the best bet.

I will also say that I have a 75 gallon tank positioned right below an 8 foot tall window that can pound light in all morning. The tank is filtered with 3 Koralia 3's and an Aqua C remora skimmer. That is the only forms of filtration and there is barely any algae. A very small amount of the back and sides of the glass. I do also have an assortment of hermits and astreas that help here I think, but none the less no algae.

 

[TMartinez]

Well moving it will be my last resort. I did however pick up some astraea snails today at petco. The lady said they were better cleaners than turbo snails so I got 3 (enough?)

I wiped down the tank walls and replaced the filters. I'm waiting for the gunk to settle before I put my clown back in. Anything else I can do?

Also I was told to only run my lights for like 3-4 hours and not run my lunars at all... correct?

 

[calpoly12]

I do not disagree with you. Moving the tank would be best either way, but I would try the things I have proposed before moving it because that is a lot of work.

Keeping the blinds closed as much as possible will definitely help here. If you want to always have the blinds open I would say that moving it is the best bet.

I will also say that I have a 75 gallon tank positioned right below an 8 foot tall window that can pound light in all morning. The tank is filtered with 3 Koralia 3's and an Aqua C remora skimmer. That is the only forms of filtration and there is barely any algae. A very small amount of the back and sides of the glass. I do also have an assortment of hermits and astreas that help here I think, but none the less no algae.

Extensive circulation is what I would contribute to the limited algae growth. 2550 gph through the koralia alone makes for a hurricane affect...basically nothing can hold on and if it does its for dear life

Well moving it will be my last resort. I did however pick up some astraea snails today at petco. The lady said they were better cleaners than turbo snails so I got 3 (enough?)

I wiped down the tank walls and replaced the filters. I'm waiting for the gunk to settle before I put my clown back in. Anything else I can do?

Also I was told to only run my lights for like 3-4 hours and not run my lunars at all... correct?

Ya the astraea snail is slightly better than the turbo, I must agree with that. As far as running your lights, its really up to you and how much you want to view the tank with full light. Technically speaking you could be perfectly fine running the tank only 3-4 hours a day but I personally prefer a ton on light. What I would suggest is that you run the tank on 3-4 hours and see if the algae slows its growth.

 

[nonstophoops]

Well moving it will be my last resort. I did however pick up some astraea snails today at petco. The lady said they were better cleaners than turbo snails so I got 3 (enough?)

I wiped down the tank walls and replaced the filters. I'm waiting for the gunk to settle before I put my clown back in. Anything else I can do?

Also I was told to only run my lights for like 3-4 hours and not run my lunars at all... correct?

So if the tank is staying in the same place, limit the light hours like calpoly is saying. Also watch feeding for your clownfish. Feed very small amounts at a time. For example, when I feed my angels NLS I put 3 to 4 pieces in the tank at once and let them eat them. Then add a few more. Then a few more. All the while I am limiting the amounts they don't catch and that end up on the ground. Same goes for flakes, mysis, etc. Small amounts more frequently rather than large meals.

I do like astreas as well. The 3 snails are a start, but a very small one. You won't notice any difference in algae with them in there. Think more like 1 per gallon if you really want it to affect how much algae you have.

Increase water flow any way you can. As Cal is saying about my tank, high flow suspends nutrients for filtration removal.

The process of getting everything in order will take time. So be patient and diligent in your cleaning and water changes.

 

[TMartinez]

Well for now I'm gonna limit the lights 2 four hours (1 hour in the am before i leave for work and 3 hours after i get home) Hopefully this will help nix the bloom. I was running my lights from like 9-9 to give maximum light so hopefully i can go back to something like that when this is all over.

When it comes to snails... 1 per gallon? Seems like alot to me... would you recommend me going back and getting more? I mean they are only a dollar, I just don't want a snail only tank LOL

I am using flakes for now (didn't have an issue when i was feeding with that) and only like 2 flakes twice a day.

My tank has 2 power filters and a Koralia Evolution 750, I'm not sure what else I can add to kick up the circulation...

 

[calpoly12]

The light cycle should work, give it a whirl and see how it goes. As far as circulation, I would say that you definitely have enough. Just make sure that your maximizing your coverage so that no area is left to go stagnant so to speak.

As far as snails I have four XXL-turbo snails and Im bumping it down to two. There simply isnt enough for all four to eat. I also have two sand snails that eat anything that lands on the sand. I would recommend around 8-12 astraea and a few sand snails. This should keep it nice and clean. If you want some variety swap a few astraea for a couple blue legged hermits. Im gonna be at a saw mill tomorrow and wont be able to respond till later, but let me know how it goes and we can go from there!

 

[TMartinez]

Ill go get a few more tomorrow am. I liked having organisms in my fw that took care of algae so i like the idea of it for this tank too.

Speaking of clean up crews, isn't there a sticky on here about that? All i have right now is 3 astraea snails and one peppermint shrimp ( which i'm not sure if i still have cause i never see it)... I'd like to learn more