Algae In Tank

[Geaton]

I have a 25-gal tank stocked with 1 small angel, 2 fancy guppies, 6 neons and 2 swordtails. They are all healthy and I clean the tank and change out water every week, but the algae growth on the glass is adding too much work each week. My tank isn't heated, but house temp is steady 70 degrees. Tank is not in direct light, but in a very bright spot, and can't be moved. I have 1 flourescent over the tank. Is so much algae normal? Or am I doing something wrong? Is there a product I could use that might help reduce the growth? It's causing me to consider getting rid of the fish... help! And thanks in advance for your advice.Geaton@visi.com

 

[kimbowee]

What do you mean by in a bright spot? Just household lighting or light coming in from a window? How long do you keep the lighting on for the tank?

You could try to add a tank background to 3 sides of the tank and reduce the amount of light in the tank everyday. Do you have any live plants in the tank? You could also try Moss Balls. They supposedly are algae balls that attract the algae from your tank into itself keeping it from the tank walls. Do a google search & you can get tons of info. My LFS uses the Moss balls in all of his tanks and swears he hardly ever has to clean algae from his glass anymore. Don't know if I should believe him but he is usually very reliable.

 

[Luke & Penny]

you can get liquids that will solve the problem, but im not sure how affective these are and what affect they may have on some of your fish, Ive heard snails are good for this job or you could consider buying a good size pleccy and that will clear up a lot of the algae, if you do go down this road, dont get too small as it may be too much of a job for the little chap.
Hope this helps

Luke

 

[Funny Pie]

I've had the same problem. I got a light timer for my tank lights, 5 on, 5 off, 7 on, 7 off and it seems to help. Im getting one of those magnetic sponges today with the magnets one on the inside of the tank and another on the out, and then theres just a sponge in between the magents and wala

 

[Luke & Penny]

Yeah I have them magnetic algae scapers too on the side of my glass i have one on each side, if your quick enough you can flip it round to the other side as the magnets so strong, theyre very good.

 

[laurasmithuk]

my tank used to suffer from high algae growth. moss balls are good

 

[Geaton]

I don't have any live plants. I've tried snails, but all of them died for some unknown reason. The tank light is on from 7am-11pm (when I go to bed) so I'll shut it off sooner than that. The bright light is from a sw facing bank of large windows.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I'll start giving them a try.

ge