algae? out of control

[a_ellis]

I keep having an abundance of this light brown or tannish substance that seems to be some sort of algae or fungus. It is slimy and clogs my filters in all 3 of my tanks. I keep having to shell out lots of money for new filters. I've treated all my tanks with algae destroyer to no avail.
What is this stuff and how do I get rid of it?

 

[handsomeboy]

get otos, algae scrapers, plants, better lighting, and clean out all the tanks. only way to do it, no way around it, sorry.

 

[a_ellis]

Even when I clean everything.......it still comes back within a week or two. I just don't understand why this isn't going away.

 

[handsomeboy]

get some otos (otocinclus) to eat the algae. in my opinion, theyre the best algae eaters.
plant some plants to compete with the algae for avaliable nutrients.
low spectrums of light will cause algae growth, so if your light is old, get new ones with better spectrums.
once you have all that, the algae will slowly diminish. in the meantime, you just have to clean away at it, no other way round it.

 

[WILDER]

I agree you could get some algae eaters, and also how long do you have your tank lights on each day, do you over feed.

 

[jflowers]

If its just in your filters then its probably just the beneficial bacteria and detritus that are blocking them. You should not need to replace your filters, just rinse them in old tank water when you do a water change.

If it covers everything then thats different and oto's will help, but are not a cure. Check your nitrAte, lowest possible is good and you wont get a zero reading unless you are using RO water and have no fish. 40ppm or less is ok. Also check your other readings.

Some strong growing plants will help too, as mentioned, as they will consume the nutrients faster than the algae. Stemmed plants are best for this as they grow very quickly, but you will need to set aside an hour a week for trimming them.

[EDIT: yer and the lighting, how long are they on for, how often do you feed? thanks Wilder]

Jon

 

[a_ellis]

I normally have the lights on for about 12 to 16 hrs a day. Is this bad? And, it is only in the filters. It looks slimy and light brown.......when some gets in my tank (while cleaning the filter) it breaks up and resembles short strings. Also, there is this super dark green algae that spots up my plants and I can't get it off; I can scrape it off the glass aquarium just fine........however, not off my silk plant leaves and other decor. Any suggestions for that? I am mostly concerned about the stuff clogging my filters, though. Help needed!

 

[sylvia]

Reduce your feeding, increase water changes, keep lights on for a maximum of 12 hours (for the fish) but get stronger lighting and fast-growing plants. If you want to, get some otoncinclus catfish as suggested and, with larger tanks, try to find some SIAMESE algae eaters.

 

[a_ellis]

thanks, sylvia.......I'll try to find some more algae eaters. I have two new filters on the way that have sponges that I can rinse out. How do you get the dark green algae spots off your silk plants & decor?

 

[benz_020]

should have taken a pic of my filter i cleaned out this morning i litterally had to scoop the crap out.

just take ann old tooth brush under cool water and rinse it off scrub a bit until the color comes back to the filter,
you dont have to buy a new ne every time it fills up with that stuff.

the reason for that to happen in my one tank is because of overstocking and over feeding.
gives the bacteria too much to eat.

 

[jflowers]

12 - 14 hours is ok if you have real plants, if not then anything over 12 is excessive IMO. Ten hours a day should do it. I have heard that people get good results from a 'siesta' half way through the day. 5 hours on, 2 off, 5 on again, the theory being that algae cannot adapt to it.

If its the filters like you say then this is normal and do as suggested to reduce the amount of times you need to rinse the filter. Reduce feeding, lighting (if you only have silk/plastic plants) and keep up regular water changes.

Jon