Algae problems

[G_Sharky]

my tank is currently having an algae breakout and both my plecs are not keeping up with it, all the glasses and rocks are fine, but my gravel seems to get greener every day. I don't know if pleco's dont like sucking on the gravel, I was thinking of getting another algae eating fish, but i'm not sure what would go with my mbuna tank . What do you guys suggest

 

[Ferris]

I've had similar problems and never any success with water additives etc. The only guranteed emthod I've found is to starve the algae of light. Leave the lights completely off for 1 week and you should find your tank spotless. Of course, if you have live plants, they too will probably be killed, shouldn't bother the fish though, my Mbuna were fine.

 

[The-Wolf]

If you do want to go down the chemical route, then I recomend
eSHa protalon-707. IMHO it is the best algea killer on the market and it really does work.

EDIT;
don't get any on your clothes it never comes out

 

[noelberg]

Ferris has the simplest call. The least chemicals the better, I always say.
Tho absence of light can have psychological ripples; case in point, Seasonal Affective Disorder. Don't know if I'd personally go a full week, but 2-3 days at a time is fine. Light is important for both your and the fishes' happiness, so 1-2 hours daily could be another solution. Room lights also work well.

 

[G_Sharky]

I really don't wanna turn off the lights cause my plants are doing well and i don't want to kill them. I was thinking of getting a couple of algae eating fish and maybe some ottos, but i'm not sure if they would clean the algae in the gravel since i don't have any algae on the glass. I never had this problem before when it was a community tank or maybe it's because i have white gravel this time and it's hard not to notice it.... BTW are those algae killing chemicals do harm with the plants and the fish

 

[SarahBravo]

I've just started a course of the 707 stuff, and it's harmless to plants and fish. I'll let you know how good it is in 2 weeks! At the moment you can't see the plants for all the algae on them!

Sarah

 

[babyfish]

Get some floating plants and let them cover the surface before thinning out by two thirds.... check your tap water for nitrates and do slightly larger water changes