Algae Overgrowth

[Carecalmo]

If anyone knows and could help me, I'd appreciate it. So here's my problem.

I have a 14 gallon tank. Had my tank for nearly a year. It'll be a year next month. For the past about 2 months my tank has had an overgrowth of algae. And when I say it's bad, I mean bad. The water is clear (and ammonia, nitrates, nitrites are great) but the algae is everywhere. On all 4 sides of the tank, covering all the ornaments, the heater, everything it can. I scrub it off but it always comes back. I believe it was spurred on by a fish that died and was lost in the gravel (long story on his death but I saw it coming). I had 3 fish die today (I believe from overdose of the medication ) Anyways, I have 6 fish remaining (which ironically are the ones I've had since the start): 4 black skirt tetras and 2 zebra danios.

After I removed the dead fish (though I didn't find one of them), I cleaned off all the algae I could, cleaned the tank ornaments, put them back and replaced the water I removed.

If I've been reading correctly, less light and less food would help? Perhaps if I stop turning on the tank light? The tank gets great light in the day without the tank light anyways. I just want this to clear up once and for all. So what should I do?

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

Get a mystery snail. they clean up well and will keep the algae at bay.

 

[This Old Spouse]

But that doesn't solve the problem. What kind of light does the tank get during the day? If it's direct sunlight, there's your problem. If not, your tank lights shouldn't be on for more than just a few hours a day, like 6.

 

[Randi]

If your tank is getting direct sunlight you might want to throw a dark blanket over it during the day.

 

[Carecalmo]

No, it's not direct sunlight The tank is about 4 feet from the window and it's about 3 feet over. I understand that the light could have a lot to do with it. But the tank has been in the same place the whole year and this was never even a slight problem until like I said, about 2 months ago. In that time the only change has been the fish dying that I mentioned and I got a new tank after I was forced to when my old tank sprang a leak.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Get a mystery snail. they clean up well and will keep the algae at bay.

Common Myth, mystery/apples do eat alage but they will not clean a tank full. As a breeder i can show you a tank with over 500+ snails in and their is alage all over, keeps them feed for a snak but they wont clean the tank fully

 

[StandbySetting]

What type of algae is it? Brown diatoms, Hair Algae?

 

[Carecalmo]

It looks to be the normal dark green variety. It's the same looking stuff that's in my Mom's tank. I can get a picture of my tank if that would help.

 

[StandbySetting]

A picture would be beneficial, but I know for sure it's going to be a flow/lighting issue.

 

[Carecalmo]

Okay then, here we are:

To show how far it is from the window and all. I took this at 1pm. No tank light on.

The algae that covers everything.

Overall. I didn't clean the bubbler and it's still pretty much covered. There's some brown/rust colored algae along the bottom and it was on the heater and some on the back near the filter, actually some of that is left.

 

[StandbySetting]

I see you have a HOB filter, they're not great for water circulation, I'd move your powerhead further down, so it's giving the Algae a good dousing of water, and then shorten your photo-period to a maximum of 6 hours.

 

[Carecalmo]

Alright, will do. Thank you so much. :]