Yet Another Algae Question !

[nagus]

My first tank has now been set up for about 5 months now, but right from the start i've been struggling with algae. It doesn't bother me too much on the glass as i tend to clean it off during regular maintenance every week, but it grows on all the plants and on top of the sand substrate, even if i hoover a top layer of sand off it's already there again by the following day . If i happen to leave for a week, by the end the sand bottom is totally covered in the stuff! I'm not too sure what type of algae it is, but it's quite dark green in colour and very hard to scrape of the glass and totally impossible to clean of the plants. (All plants are real and growing very well (infact too well as i seem to trim them every week)).

Water conditions are as follows
Amonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10 - 20ppm
Ph: 7.8
Gh: 15
Lights: 1 x 20W Sun Glow & 1 x 20W Aqua Glow (on for about 9 hours per day)

Can anyone suggest something i can do to limit the algae growth (i dont mind a little, and as you can see from my signature i've got 3 otto's but they cant seem to keep up with it).

Thanks in advance

 

[corrosive]

try looking into buying some more oto's, if you have enough space in your tank for them .

I take it your on about your 25g tank?

 

[tstenback]

could you get the LFS to check your phosphate level. With that type of lighting and only on for 9 hours a day you should not be having that much trouble with algae. Does the tank get any direct sunlight? What types of food are you feeding the fish? and also are you using fertilizer for the plants or any other supplements? Finally ehat type of decor do you have in the tank? Sorry for all the questions but it is hard to see what would be causing the algae growth in your tank. Your lighting is low, not on very long, the nitrate level is fine and the tank seems very stable. Your plants are growing quickly and yet they still have algae on them so for me it seems to point to an excess of phosphates. At least that is the most likely cause that i can think of for now. Ottos are good cleaners and if they cant keep up with it then something needs to be done for sure. Keep us posted.

 

[yhbae]

What is the size of your tank? You _might_ get into problems with only 40w of light if your tank is not deep.

Do you overfeed by any chance? If you check in your filter, are there any uneaten food that gets trapped in there?

Also, as tstenback mentioned, you should check for phosphate levels.

 

[nagus]

Thanks for the reply guys, sorry it's been a while (i've been away for a few days). Anyway here's a few answers to some questions.

No, the tank doesn't get any direct sunlight (infact i keep the curtains closed all the time, much to my wifes disgust).

I use a flake food and frozen food as a treat once a week (i dont think i over feed)

I do use a plant fertilizer (someting called leaf zone) once a week after general cleaning.

As for other decor apart from plants there are few rocks, one small piece of bog wood and a large plastic tree stump?

It does seem from your replys that there maybe too much phosphate. I have seen in the lfs there is a product called phos-zorb, is is safe to use with fish and plants and not upset the water balance aswell.

thanks again