Algae ?

[JohnBull]

Hello again,


I have noticed these past few weeks that Our Jewel 180 ltr tank has started to get a blackish substance on the imitation rock formation we have as a feature,also we have some discolouration on the glass front which needs a stiff brush to remove. What is it,and more importantly what is causing it to happen. We feed once a day,dont use the aquarium light more than 7 hours per day, but we do not have any live plants as such. We try keeping good water perimeters but our tap water has always had a high Nitrate level.

Todays reading using an API kit where :

AMM 0
NITRITE 0
NITRATE 60ppm
PH 7.6


Anyone help ?



John.

 

[RadaR]

Did the tank come with the juwel "high lite", ie t5 bulbs?
The black algae sounds like BBA, black brush algae. The algae on the glass could be green spot algae.

The reason you have the algae in the first place has nothing to do with nitrates or phosphates etc. Algal spores bloom when environental conditions are right for them. In other words, when they recieve enough light (and ammonia) to...germinate if you will.
So the first course of action is to ensure that these environmental triggers dont occur in the tank. You can do this by limting the light duration (like you have), limiting the light intensity (removing reflectors or a bulb), ensuring gravel and filters are clean, good water change regime (atleast once a week).

Now, when the algal spores bloom then yes, they can use nitrates and phosphates etc. Will you ever win against the algae if you try get these values to "0"? Nope. It can't be done. Combatting the triggers that cause the spores to bloom is the best method.

Have a look on google images to confirm whether you do have BBA. If so, I don't suppose you have an airstone do you?