algae on half the glass

[andyM]

Have a bit of an odd problem. I have a Juwel vision 180 and half the glass at the front is nice and clean but the other half, apart from the top 3 inches or so is covered in algae. The tank has only been running for a couple of weeks but was upgraded from a 2 year old smaller one, so cycling should'nt be a problem. I am running a fluval 404 canister and the only thing i can think of is that the water flow at that end of the tank (opposite to the filter outlet) is not good enough allowing the algae to grow. I have now angled the filter outlet more to that area of the tank hoping to increase the water flow, so will see. The other idea i had was maybe an air pump or power head in that area to move the water around.

 

[isu_guy]

One possibiilty is how light hits the tank. Is there a window that gives only part of the tank direct sunlight corresponding to where there is and isn't algae?

 

[yvez9]

I don't think waterflow will kill off algea, or promote it's growth (or not for that matter)

Can you get some kind of algea eating fish or invertebrate in there?

 

[andyM]

The tank is in the lounge but in the same position as the old one and i never had any problems there. I do have a bristle nose who does a fantastic job of keeping the tank clean but the stuff on the glass is quite tough and i don't think he can get it off. I normally use a green brillo pad to take it off.

 

[Dubby]

This is to do with the lighting in the Juwel (esp if you're using the reflectors). The light strikes the front glass at an angle and causes algae growth. So you will see a clear line above which no algae grows

 

[andyM]

Good point. I am using the reflectors. That would explain the line. Not sure why its only half the tank though. The lights cover the whole length. My lights are on for a bit long at the moment. I'm getting a timer switch tomorrow so hopefully that will help.

 

[BobTheDog]

I also have algae growing on only half of my glass. In my case, it has to do with water flow. I have a filter with two bio wheels. It sits on one side of the tank and the water flows across the top, strikes the front glass on that side and then flows down the glass. This constant, moderately strong flow of water keeps any algae spores from gaining a foothold on that side. The other side only gets some residual flow and the algae was able to get started. Once started, changing the flow pattern will not cause the algae to vanish or die from that side, and if it is no longer striking the clear side, it will probably develop algae as well.

 

[andyM]

the way the outlet is angled now makes it still flow over the area with no algae but also most of the other area that does. i will clean all the glass at the weekend and see how things go. if still having a problem i'll probably buy a power head to get some more water movement down the other end of the tank.