Algae problem

[Johnharle]

Hi. Looking for a bit of help. My tank has been well established for a few years and I have never really had a problem with algae. But the last week during the day my tank goes green. Then when I come down in those mornings it is clear. And goes green by 11 o’clock. I guessed it’s the sun light and covered it as soon as I got up. It was still green when I took the cover off. Also you can see the fine algae floating about and on the surface and in the filter. I have put in a U v filter. It has not helped. Any ideas

 

[Sgooosh]

Hi. Looking for a bit of help. My tank has been well established for a few years and I have never really had a problem with algae. But the last week during the day my tank goes green. Then when I come down in those mornings it is clear. And goes green by 11 o’clock. I guessed it’s the sun light and covered it as soon as I got up. It was still green when I took the cover off. Also you can see the fine algae floating about and on the surface and in the filter. I have put in a U v filter. It has not helped. Any ideas

do you have marineland internal polishing internal filter? put that in look for a deal and you can get it for 30 instead of 100 usd

 

[Naughts]

Increasing tank maintenance, especially water changes, will eliminate its nutrient supply.
Also take care not to over feed, and not to overdose plant fertilisers.
Does the tank get direct sunlight?

 

[Johnharle]

It gets a bit of indirect sunlight. But I have never had any problems before. Even in summer. Wired that it’s just started now. I have not really changed anything.

 

[Naughts]

Hmmm, it's usually light or nutrients. The indirect light is perfect for growing unicellular algae. See what happens with the bigger water changes every day or two.
Clean the gravel, glass and filter too.
If that isn't helping after a week or two you may want to add plants to absorb the nutrients.

 

[Johnharle]

Thanks for your help.

 

[StevenF]

Sometimes it is a change in the tap water. In some places well water is used in the summer and fall and then in the winter rain runoff dominates the taps water. Well water is generally richer in nutrient while rain water has less. Also sometimes utility maintenance can cause changes. You can try contacting your utility and ask if something has happened.

 

[Johnharle]

Yes that could be it. I did a large water change and many smaller ones for 2 weeks and it is still the same! I am starting to loose patience. The algae looks so large you can see individual bits like dust and when you vac the bottom a lot of it has fallen to the bottom and is easily sucked up. I am going to try covering it for a few days and see if that helps! It’s just wierd that it’s clear in the morning and goes green during the day. It can only be sun light surely?