Algae Problems. Please Help

[BeckyFish527]

Hey guys. I'm posting yet again because of algae problems with my tank. I have a 20 gallon high tank with 2 Black Moors. The tank is not in direct sunlight so that's not the cause. I do regular 20% water changes every week to 2 weeks and I have no idea what causes the algae. I have researched and looked everywhere to find out what causes it, but I cannot figure it out. I did a full water change about 3 weeks ago and already the algae has taken over. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions? It's getting to be a pain in the butt and I don't know what to do.

Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

What does the algae look and feel like? Is it dark green and cover the gravel in a film that looks like snot? If so, then it is blue green algae (Cyanobacter) and is usually caused by excess nutrients.
Lighting also affects algal growth and many cases of normal green algae, (grows on the glass and objects and looks like a short green lawn) can be fixed by reducing the light. If you don't have any live plants in the tank then you only want the lights on for a couple of hours in the evening. If you have the lights on all day and there are no plants to utilise it, then algae will grow instead. Having the light near the back of the tank will reduce the algae growing on the front glass. Having algae on the glass is not a problem to the fish but does make it hard to see them.
Regular water changes and gravel cleans will help to reduce the nutrients that can encourage algae. Goldfish are messy fish and you might be better off doing a 25-30% water change each week. Alternatively reduce the amount of food they get. If you feed twice a day then cut it back to once a day. If you feed once a day then reduce feeding to every second day. The less food the less nutrients.

 

[aaronnorth]

take a look in my sig for algae details.

 

[BeckyFish527]

What does the algae look and feel like? Is it dark green and cover the gravel in a film that looks like snot? If so, then it is blue green algae (Cyanobacter) and is usually caused by excess nutrients.
Lighting also affects algal growth and many cases of normal green algae, (grows on the glass and objects and looks like a short green lawn) can be fixed by reducing the light. If you don't have any live plants in the tank then you only want the lights on for a couple of hours in the evening. If you have the lights on all day and there are no plants to utilise it, then algae will grow instead. Having the light near the back of the tank will reduce the algae growing on the front glass. Having algae on the glass is not a problem to the fish but does make it hard to see them.
Regular water changes and gravel cleans will help to reduce the nutrients that can encourage algae. Goldfish are messy fish and you might be better off doing a 25-30% water change each week. Alternatively reduce the amount of food they get. If you feed twice a day then cut it back to once a day. If you feed once a day then reduce feeding to every second day. The less food the less nutrients.

I do have my light on for a good amount of time during the day. I will cut back on that. Thank you so much for your help. Much appreciated!