Help with alege

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T

tireman357

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 22, 2008
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portland
I have a show tank in my lobby. Its a very nice tank but because of the window i get a ton of alege (sp) I put a window shad and try to keep the sun light to a minimum but I am still getting a ton. I had RBP so I had to take my pleco out and there really is no fish you can put in there. I also have live plants so I have to be careful of what I put in the water. On the glass I can use my alege scraper but on the plants and rocks I dont know how to clean them. Have any of you had this problem and how did you fix it \?

Thanks in advance

J.C.
 
I don't like to use any chemicals in the tank. Frequent water changes to keep nitrates very low will help cut down algae. So will avoiding use of pH regulators that contain phosphate salts.

To remove algae from rocks and other decor, I soak them in salt water for about 20 minutes then scrub with a soft toothbrush. The algae will come right off. Then I rinse the object very well and put it back in the tank.

Also, you should always use your algae scraper or mag float to clean the glass right before you do your water change. That way, any algae that is loosened up off the glass and floating in the water has a chance to be removed during the water change.

BTW, pleco and other "algae eating" fish are rarely a permanent solution, as they grow larger and larger, they eat less and less algae.

Hope that helps!!!
 
tireman357;1897108; said:
I have a show tank in my lobby. Its a very nice tank but because of the window i get a ton of alege (sp) I put a window shad and try to keep the sun light to a minimum but I am still getting a ton. I had RBP so I had to take my pleco out and there really is no fish you can put in there. I also have live plants so I have to be careful of what I put in the water. On the glass I can use my alege scraper but on the plants and rocks I dont know how to clean them. Have any of you had this problem and how did you fix it \?

Thanks in advance

J.C.
Click to expand...

In your situation I would recommend looking into a UV Sterilizer, that should solve your problem.
 
How would a UV sterilizer help with algae on the walls?

My understanding was that it only killed "green water" the single cell algae that floats around.

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Where is the tank getting light from? Is it directly in front of a window, and light shines in through the back? If it is, put a background on the tank. Problem solved. You can also cover the sides. But if light is shining in from the side you view, covering the window is probably your best bet.
 
FSM;1897541; said:
How would a UV sterilizer help with algae on the walls?

My understanding was that it only killed "green water" the single cell algae that floats around.

---
Where is the tank getting light from? Is it directly in front of a window, and light shines in through the back? If it is, put a background on the tank. Problem solved. You can also cover the sides. But if light is shining in from the side you view, covering the window is probably your best bet.
Click to expand...
This wont work you wood need to see my tank. You can see it here


http://www.piranha-fury.com/pfury/index.php?showtopic=173342

I would post pictures of it here but I cant figure out how to. Anyways there is a window and I put a blind up. Still happening. I am starting to think it is red algae. It is slimy it stinks and its thing I guess there is some kind of treatment for this.
 
FSM;1897541; said:
How would a UV sterilizer help with algae on the walls?

My understanding was that it only killed "green water" the single cell algae that floats around.
Click to expand...

From what I have heard from local guys and read on here, people that have UV's either have either none or very little algae in their tanks. I guess it helps stop the algae from gathering/growing on stuff...
 
I used to use a UV Sterilizer on my old 55. It sat in a room full of windows and even with blinds closed it would get tons of light. I installed the UV unit and never had a problem with algae. But then again, I installed it before any algae had grown. Not too sure how it would work once algae was already in place.
 
Cut out the light algae will die off, cover the tank for at least 48 hours and you should start to see improvements, direct sunlight is a no no if you want to avoid persistent algae blooms. If your going to add UV then make sure it is the last thing before the return as it could harm the good bacteria in your filter and you could end up with more problems.

Hope it works out for you
 
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