Algae Already?!

[geordieelvis]

Hi folks, my Fluval 90 has been up and running for a couple months now and has been occupied for the last 2 weeks. It was fully cycled before fish added and I have 5 live plants all different species. The thing is, I have to clean the glass every couple of days as there is a small build up of algae, also I have an artificial rock in the tank and this gets a thin layer of algae on it. To make things worse, my plants don't look too healthy either, they have brown patches on them which I have been removing gently by hand. I have fed them and my water is frequently tested. What do you think could be the problem??

 

[leighton_87]

How long do you have your tank lights on for?

Any more than 6-8 hours per day will cause an algae bloom

 

[geordieelvis]

Yeah lights are on a timer 9am til 7pm, so 10 hours per day. This was under advice from my plant supplier due to the plants needing plenty of light!?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Sounds like diatoms to me... 
 
http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
 
 
The tank is still quite new... clean it off and remain patient.  Cut your lights to no more than 6 hours for awhile, and make sure the tank receives no natural light.

 

[geordieelvis]

Thanks, yep that sounds like the problem. I have cut lighting down to 5 hours per day. I will monitor and keep up my water changes and tests and report back! Thanks again for your swift and useful help

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Its Diatoms from the tank being new, you can have 10 hour photo period just fine although any more is asking for trouble. Can dial it down while the algae is present but I dont if I get any, the light doesn't cause the algae the light & ammonia does, you need to let the filter deal with the ammonia, clean off as much as possible by hand once you have zero'd the ammonia. Put up a pic of your plants as some may be changing from immersed growth to submerged, this is normal and what is causing the ammonia,remove any dead or dying leaves too. Also some lfs's have non aquatics so be a good idea for us too see them to check too.