Calling It A Day.

[specks]

Thanks to those of you who took the trouble to answer my questions, my last major issue was regarding algae. Less than a week from a water change & clean up my tank glass is green. its sometimes so bad that you cannot see the fish properly. I work & dont have the time to strip down & clean the tank every few days. I spent Xmas day stripping the tank down & giving it a really good going over ( it took me hours ) but by Thursday the glass was covered again.
So now Sundays will be lazy days for me with no tank to worry about, I will be able to get out in the garden again as it was neglected due to the fish.
I am sorry to see them go, especially my cories....such wonderful characters.
Thanks again.
Signing off. specks.





Have just realised what an idiot I am. I meant to post this in chit chat. Oops!!!!!!!!

 

[demonmagus]

hmmmmmm it seems you have your mind on leaving. You probably already know but fast growing plants will keep that algae at bay ( and shrimp), just in case you come back into the hobby

 

[bunjiweb]

You may find that striping the tank is making your situation worse! I'd suggest just scraping the algae off the glass, then doing a 10-15% water change. Do this every day and you should see your algae start to diminish. Also try getting your water tested. Either take it to your LFS or test it yourself for Phosphate. If the levels are very high then a simple phosphate removing product (there are a few) should bring it down quickly.

Also make sure you dont have much more than about 10 hours of light. You could even reduce it for a while to 6 to curb algae growth. The easiest way to do this is buy a simple mechanical socket timer from your local DIY store.

I have algae growth myself as i dont use any plants and my phosphate can be high. I use carbon or "rowa phos" to help keep it low.

Don't give up too quickly, It can be frustrating some times, but once you get the balance it will be fine. You just need to be looking for the right things and doing the right things. Once you are on top of it, a weekly water change and monthly filter check should help things tick over nicely.

Ben

 

[specks]

Hi bunjiweb. I only strip down the tank as its the only way to get rid of the algae. I have never left the lights on for long & recently put them on first thing in the morning, feed the fish then put lights off within about 45mins. I then put them on approx 5pm, feed again then turn off around 10pm. I honestly dont have the time to water change everyday, its not practical to move the tank and I dont have live plants. I did in the early days but have never had much luck with them ( although I am quite a good gardener ) and it was costing me a fortune to keep buying new ones plus I have to go 20 miles to get any decent ones and have to keep begging lifts to get there.
I did get the water tested, I think it was in October and was told phosphate was ok. However I did use a remover that my friend recomended ( cant remember the name ) but it made no difference.
specks.