Green Algae "carpet" On Substrate

[Ozzy Ozborne]

My substrate constantly gets a green carpet of algae growing across it about 1 week after I have used the gravel cleaner.
I have a Juwell 180 and have noticed that only the front half of the tank seems to be affected.The tubes are both 25 watt but the front is a warmlight and the back is a daylite. type tube
I have had reflectors on both but have now take the one off the front.I have the lights on approx 11am-10pm daily.I do not feed the plants with anything as when i have done it makes it worse.
has anybody any idea what i can do to stop this?

Thanks

 

[SwordtailLover]

I would suggest some sort of algae eater if you do not already have one. I am relatively new to fish keeping, but having your lights on for about 10 hours with a 2 hour gap in the middle will help reduce algae growth from what I have read. Most people use timers with their lighting, and can easily set a two hour gap in the middle of their day. Some claim to have success with this, while others say it doesn't do anything at all. It could be worth a try, however. It wouldn't hurt. : ) Hope this helps, and have a good day!

 

[jnms]

My substrate constantly gets a green carpet of algae growing across it about 1 week after I have used the gravel cleaner.
I have a Juwell 180 and have noticed that only the front half of the tank seems to be affected.The tubes are both 25 watt but the front is a warmlight and the back is a daylite. type tube
I have had reflectors on both but have now take the one off the front.I have the lights on approx 11am-10pm daily.I do not feed the plants with anything as when i have done it makes it worse.
has anybody any idea what i can do to stop this?

Thanks

Sounds to me, like this could be blue green algae. Does it look like this?

That's a photo from my tank some months back. The problem was being caused by two issues:

1) Rotting / melting plants in my tank. I removed the plants and leaves with the issue.

2) Little or no water flow over the substrate. I added a small internal filter and directed the flow of the current across the substrate. Small debris and food particles get stuck in the substrate so this extra water flow moves all that crap away.

The tank has been fine for months now. Though I've got some blue-green algae starting up again...this time I know it is because there are 3 dead neons in my tank that I just can't find.

Anyway - here is my original thread about the subject, and there should be more info there that can help:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...39&hl=algae

 

[Ozzy Ozborne]

Thanks for your replies.
I have read up on your threads and the algae i have is mainly green-not blue -green and does not disappear when the lights are off.Its there all the time.It looks like its crystalising the substrate and creeps across.
Any idea why its only in the front part of the tank..............is it to do with the different types of lighting that ive got?

Thanks

 

[jnms]

Thanks for your replies.
I have read up on your threads and the algae i have is mainly green-not blue -green and does not disappear when the lights are off.Its there all the time.It looks like its crystalising the substrate and creeps across.
Any idea why its only in the front part of the tank..............is it to do with the different types of lighting that ive got?

Thanks

Although it doesn't appear blue-green, from what you say I would say it is the same algae. Mine was also crystallizing the substrate and crept. The algae in my tank disappeared when the lights were off because there wasn't much of it.

Also, blue-green algae nearly always appears in the front of the tank for some reason.