Algae Control

[tyler88]

I have a 10 gallon tropical freshwater tank thats been going about 2 months now. i have alot of algae growing on my sand. i was going to use an additive to get rid of the algae but i have two amano shrimp so i cant. But i saw they have algaefix marine thats save for inverts, can this be used to control freshwater algae?

 

[philrag11]

I have a 10 gallon tropical freshwater tank thats been going about 2 months now. i have alot of algae growing on my sand. i was going to use an additive to get rid of the algae but i have two amano shrimp so i cant. But i saw they have algaefix marine thats save for inverts, can this be used to control freshwater algae?

I would try and steer clear of additives but then again I'm no expert on them so some might be perfectly safe!

My tank had quite a bit of algae on the bogwood but I inherited a couple of pond snails via my live plants and they seem to have gotten the situation under control. I know some people don't like snails but if you aren't overfeeding the population should stay under control and they do a good job keeping the place clean and so far they've not done any damage to my live plants....

 

[tyler88]

Hey thanks for the reply. I did just get a hornwort plant with maybe four or five snails that i left on it. Maybe ill just wait and see if they take care of it as they get bigger.

 

[minnnt]

I would address the cause rather than try and just clean it up...

How long are your tank lights on for?
How much circulation do you have?
How much are your feeding?
How many plants do you have?
How many fish do you have?

 

[tyler88]

My lights are on about 12 hours a day, water circulation isnt too bad, i just started feeding a little less a week ago, i only have the hornwort plant that is about 8 inches tall, i have two neon tetras another orange tetra two white cloud minnows a guppy fry two amano shrimp and a few snails that were on the plant when i got it. Also ive been doing 25 percent water changes weekly, should i do more?

 

[minnnt]

Limit your light to 7 hours a day tyler. This will be a fair amount of the problem. The more plants you add the less likely you are to get algae as the plants out compete it for the nutrients. 25% is good!

 

[tyler88]

Ok ill lower the time of light during the day and see how that works. I never have this much algae in my other tank so thanks for the help.

 

[minnnt]

Algae is often brought on by an upset in the balance of the water chemistry/ Whether it be a large water change, fluctuation in nutrient levels, longer photosynthesis periods. Have you changed anything lately?

 

[tyler88]

Actually for most of the tank cycling and after i added fish i didnt have my timer on the lights and because of my messed up schedule my lights would be on or off for long periods. Then i got the timer and had it about 12 hours a day, so thats probably too much.

 

[minnnt]

It will certainly be contributing to it mate, yes. A stable amount of light will help, especially if you can do it at the same time each day by using a timer like you say. keep us updated!!

 

[phishyphil]

12 Hours is certainly the main culprit, 6-8 hours is a good rule of thumb, Mine run from 2pm to 10pm. I would avoid large water changes as the additional nutrients in the water will feed the algae, plant up and if that doesnt work, try a Blackout period for the tank, but use that at the end.

Addictives to the tank are 9/10 a money making rip off, Water conditioners granted, and specific medications, but algae control, water chemistry modifiers, fertilisers are unnecessary, and hefty on the bank balance. Stick to natural methods

 

[minnnt]

You mean additives... Lol.

 

[phishyphil]

You mean additives... Lol.

Bear with me Minnnt its sunday morning

 

[minnnt]

 

[tyler88]

Thanks for the reply. I have the lights at 8 hours a day now so hopefully that will keep it under control. And my hornwort plant has grown about 4 inches in the last couple days so im sure thats helping a little.