algea

[pas]

hi, and HELP,

is there anything i can do to deter the growth of algea? i have kept the light off, and there is just filtered light coming in through a small window. i have washed out all plastic plants, shells, decoration etc. i have cleaned out the filter, and ran it through with tank water. i bought a special brush to keep the sides clean. but it still grows. and grows. and grows... ... ...

also, how do i go about cleaning the yucky gravel. when i do the water changes it stirrs up lots of 'gunk'. i do about 25% evey week. i use a sypon(sp?) that is for changing gas, but it was brand new, never used. it is great, just this little hand pump to get it going. but i have heard of such a thing as a gravel vacuum cleaner, is this something i should be using.

i have read the other posts about the bacteria living in the top 1/2 inch or so of the gravel, and some recommend not changing all of the gravel at once.

also, the algea is growing on the gravel. help! what do i do??

thanks

 

[Cartman8779]

If you wanted one way to get the tank somewhat cleaner is to get some cory's, plecos or some bottom feeding fish. For the Algea you could get a Chinese or a Siamese Algea Eater. They eat the algea so it makes it somewhat clearer. You could also try some products from your local pets store to help remove the algea!

Aaron

 

[freshwatergal]

I would be careful getting a Chinese or a Siamese Algea Eater as they will stop eating algae as they grow older. The same goes for pleco's. It also depends on the size of your tank, and the common pleco's will definately outgrow common tanks that people have.

I had a problem with green water, bought something called algae fix. Added it in at like 11 pm at night, woke up the next morning and it was crystal clear, like I had just changed the water.

I would suggest you get a gravel vac, and if you want to go all out get a python. It hooks right to your sink and you won't have to worry about hauling buckets back and forth.

If you decide to go with the algae fix, be sure to follow the directions to the T.

Good Luck
Tiff

 

[Dubby]

Pas,

The gravel vac is a simple siphon. You stick the nozzle end into the gravel to suck up the gunk. You need to do this on a regular basis.

 

[Shizat]

Algae needs light to grow, tell us if you have it close to a window or skylight and how long you keep your tank light on during the day for.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Algae needs light to grow, but it also needs nitrates, phosphates, and potassium. There are a few things you can do to help reduce it

-don't overstock the tank. More fish means more toxins to be converted, which means more nitrates.
-don't overfeed. Fish do not need much in the way of food, and almost all fish keepers ovefeed without realizing it. Overfeeding leads to more fish waste and possibly uneaten food. Decaying food will increase both nitrate and phosphate levels.
-use R/O water. Some of the nutrients like phosphates and potassium are already in tap water, though there are filter medias that remove these I can't say how well they work.
-keep things clean, but this you already know.


What size tank do you have, and what is your fish stocking list for it?

 

[ardane]

I've read that Nitrates create algae, does your tap water have much nitrates, maybe worth testing?

Also sunlight encourages algae growth

I'd get a plec to help as they love the green stuff

 

[pas]

thanks for your answers. i really like the idea of those drops that cleared everything up,i will check out the fish store asap.

my daughter probably does overfeed, i will see that she cuts back. i dont know my levels, i have it checked at the fish store, and they said it was just right.

so, i could just use my syphon that i have and get the gravel up that way, then run it through a kitchen sieve and clean it up. maybe do 1/3, etc. till its done.

is yours that gunky??? thanks.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

so, i could just use my syphon that i have and get the gravel up that way, then run it through a kitchen sieve and clean it up. maybe do 1/3, etc. till its done.

There is no need to remove the gravel at all, just vacuum out the debris.