nitrates and algae

[qwazy101]

is there a specific level of nitrate that algae will generally start growing at?

im getting tired of scrubbing every inch of my tank, i currently have a 12-13inch pleco, but i think he is making my problems worse. My nitrates are at about 40mg/L - 50. Ive tried plants but my oscar just tears them to peices.... should i get rid of the pleco?

i change 25% of my water 2 times a week, its a 135g tank. i only have 3 fish right now, they are pretty big though.

my tap water has about 5mg/L of nitrate

is there anything else i can do to stop algae?

thanks, Jason

 

[Dubby]

Your nitrate reading is a bit high. I would try and get it down to 20.

Here are a few options to reduce algae:
- reduce feeding
- reduce lighting
- Try getting a different type of plant that your Oscar wont tear

 

[modernhamlet]

Your nitrate reading is a bit high. I would try and get it down to 20.

Here are a few options to reduce algae:
- reduce feeding
- reduce lighting
- Try getting a different type of plant that your Oscar wont tear

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Those are pretty much your options, though I don't know if an "oscar proof" plant even exists.

If there is light and there are nutrients and no plants, algae will grow.

 

[SkiFletch]

you can also try varying the times your lights are on via a timer... Mine goes 5 on, 5 off, 5 on, 9 off. Changing the light cycle can mess with the algae's ability to photosynthesize and retard growth.

 

[houndour]

do floating plants work with oscars? I think zig told me that some (all??) floating plants are good nitrate absorbers.

 

[modernhamlet]

do floating plants work with oscars? I think zig told me that some (all??) floating plants are good nitrate absorbers.

Good point. And oscars would appreciate the less intense light that filters through surface plants as well. The two most common floating plants you'll find are riccia and duckweed.

 

[Dubby]

do floating plants work with oscars? I think zig told me that some (all??) floating plants are good nitrate absorbers.

Good point. And oscars would appreciate the less intense light that filters through surface plants as well. The two most common floating plants you'll find are riccia and duckweed.

If floating plants will work with Oscars then Hornwort is probably a good choice. It grows like crazy and maybe able to compete with the oscar

 

[The-Wolf]

the nitrAtes may not be the problem here at all.
It may be a high phosphate level causing the algea.

try a moss/marmo ball Chladophora aegagropila with the oscar, I'm pretty sure it would be oscar proof.

 

[qwazy101]

Thanks to everyone for all the comments, ill start trying the plants that were recomended and look into my phosphates further.

Jason