Algae Issues

[jumblepod]

Ive ran my tank now for about 18 months and it constantly has algae problems. The rocks, wood and sides of the tank are coated in brown coloured algae. I fetch it all off for it to just grow back within a month. My tank is not near a window and I only have my tank lights on for about 7 hours. Also any plants i put in there just die through algae covering there leafs! If you want to see exactly what type of algae im talking about tell me and I will get a picture.

One more thing i dont know what spectrum my lights are there the ones that just came with it.

 

[Uriel]

Watching the video your tank looks heavily stocked. Is it possible that the excess ammonia from so many fish in a 260l tank is causing the algea issues. Personally i would check your water levels Ammonia/nitrite/nitrate. and also check that your water changes are large enough for this level of stocking.

As for plants frogbits and elondea densa both grow very quickly and therefore should be able to outcompete your algea. Also worth concidering is adding some liquid carbon when starting with these plants as only plants can utilise this not algea so it give them an advantage.

 

[jumblepod]

Sorry i should really remove that video as its like a year old my tanks got completely different fish in now and different layout. I wouldnt say its over stocked now. ive got 6 clown loach(about medium size), 3 silver sharks, 2 angles, 1 texas ciclid, 2 banded leperinus, keyhole ciclid. Some fish are gonna have to go when they get bigger but ive got friends with big tank that will have them. This tank has always suffered from algae so i dont think its the stocking. could it be the lighting? I will upload a photo once my camera has charged up. I have checked my nirite and ammonia and there fine. I should check my nitrates. what would be pushing nitrate up though?

 

[Skins]

Sorry i should really remove that video as its like a year old my tanks got completely different fish in now and different layout. I wouldnt say its over stocked now. ive got 6 clown loach(about medium size), 3 silver sharks, 2 angles, 1 texas ciclid, 2 banded leperinus, keyhole ciclid. Some fish are gonna have to go when they get bigger but ive got friends with big tank that will have them. This tank has always suffered from algae so i dont think its the stocking. could it be the lighting? I will upload a photo once my camera has charged up. I have checked my nirite and ammonia and there fine. I should check my nitrates. what would be pushing nitrate up though?

Nitrate is the end product of the nitrogen cycle(ammonia=nitrite=nitrate), fish waste, un-eaten food, dead plant life will produce ammonia and there for end up as nitrate. I would advise investing in a liquid test kit(api freshwater master kit) as from many posts i have read the strip test kits can be a bit hit and miss. I will be corrected if i'm wrong but high ammounts of nitrate in your waters chemistry will encourage algae, so would be a good idea to check your nitrate level.

Keith.

 

[jumblepod]

I already have an api testing kit for nitrite and ammonia but not nitrate I will get one.

Heres a photo of the tank:


This is the algae im getting:


This grow on all the rocks and wood. If you was to turn over the rock in that photo its white on the bottom where it hasnt been exposed to light!

 

[Skins]

Just a matter of interest what is your tank size?

 

[jumblepod]

Just a matter of interest what is your tank size?

260L

 

[Skins]

Just a matter of interest what is your tank size?

260L

I know in one of your previous posts you said that some of the fish are going to be relocated but as of now you are overstocked with just the 6 clown loaches, this could be the reasons for your algae issue(large amounts of fish waste=high nitrates).

Keith.

 

[jumblepod]

Really 6 clown loaches overstock a 260L tank? they look so small in there! I need to test the nitrates.

 

[Skins]

Really 6 clown loaches overstock a 260L tank? they look so small in there! I need to test the nitrates.

You said "medium size", so 5 to 6 inches?
These beauties can grow to 12 inches.
I don't want to keep banging on but how often are water changes performed and how much?
What filter are you running?

Keith.

 

[jumblepod]

In using a fluval 305 external fliter which should be plenty big enough. The clown loach are about 3 inches. no bigger than that. I really dont think its overstocked. I think i do let myself down on water changes as i only do one every 2 weeks but do a slightly bigger one than if i was doing it weekly.

 

[Skins]

In using a fluval 305 external fliter which should be plenty big enough. The clown loach are about 3 inches. no bigger than that. I really dont think its overstocked. I think i do let myself down on water changes as i only do one every 2 weeks but do a slightly bigger one than if i was doing it weekly.

Still babies then. If you were keeping your current stocking i would strongly advise over filtering(fluval 405). As water changes go i would consider 20-30% changes weekly with monthly filter maintance.

Keith.

 

[jumblepod]

SORRY I MENT TO SAY I HAVE 405 GOT MIXED UP

 

[Skins]

SORRY I MENT TO SAY I HAVE 405 GOT MIXED UP

Good filter. When you relocate fish and perform good weekly/monthly maintance i reacon you will be on top of your algea issues.

Keith.