Algea Problem

[busterbrit]

I have been running a tank with fish for 2 months and fishless cycle for 3 months before that.

I never had a problem with Algea but all of a sudden it is starting to show up on the walls.

I added some driftwood that had green moss all over it. I kept it on there because I'm adding RCS and thought they would like that plus the fish seem to like to nip at it.

Was that a mistake? should I have gotten rid of all the moss? Is that causing the Algea problem?

I have a acrylic tank that scratches real easy...how do you recommend getting the algea off? It's a 60L biorbe so a little hard due to the sphere. I was going to get the API wipes...will that work?

Thanks!!!

 

[busterbrit]

any thoughts on this?

 

[erk628]

I use a algae magnet!

 

[Lacuna]

What kind of algae is it? Brown algae is diatoms, and is normal in a new set-up before the tank has matured. This normally wipes off quite easily. Other types of algae can be caused by different things, but I'm pretty sure it won't be the moss. Moss is actually good as it competes with algae, and your RCS will love it. If the problem persists you could ask in the planted tank section, people over there know lots about algae problems.

 

[drobbyb]

Lets see, the algae appeared where it wasn't growing before. There could have been a change in your tap water, like phosphates or other nutrients. Also, algae feeds off of ammonia, even in undetectable levels. I would test my water to make sure that everything is still good just to be safe.

Did you replace your light or is the tank getting direct sunlight? What color is the algae?

 

[loraxchick]

firstly identify which algae type you have. here is a good link:
http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
there are many different algae with different causes and remedies. what lighting do you have? how long is it on for/day? not necessarily ammonia or nitrogen related. unstable CO2 can be just as bad for algae growth (even too many water changes). so have a look at the link.
to remove algae from acrylic dont use a magnet-will likely scratch it. i use an old credit card (or similar type plastic card) just hold at an angle and scrape gently. works GREAT and doesnt scratch as the algae magnet was doing(be especially careful if you have sand, that it doesnt get between the wall and the scraper==big scratches).
hope that helps a bit.
cheers

 

[Assaye]

I have a soft purple algae pad. Not foam or sponge. It's totally acrylic safe and does an amazing job. Just wish I knew what it was called! They sell them at my local Pets At Home for £2-3 so very cheap.

As for the causes - check out loraxchick's post.

 

[waterdrop]

For me, the very first step of of the weekly gravel-clean-water-change is to clean every inch of the inside glass surfaces. I do this no matter how clear they are. I do it as a preventative for algae taking hold before I can even see it. I use a type of sponge that has some bite to it (when I do have some algae I can see, I know this sponge is good at taking it off.) An algae magnet can also be as good or better a tool for this than the sponge.

As mentioned above, once you actually -have- algae, you have to identify the specific type and treat it accordingly. There are differences in the causes and remedies for the different types. The -trigger- to make the ever-present (algae spores are omni-present in water all over the earth, just like the bacteria that allows us to fishless cycle by simply using tap water) algae spores switch out of spore mode is always the same: light plus ammonia. You work on the ammonia problem via circulation. You work on the light problem by lowering its intensity or exposure time.

~~waterdrop~~