Green/browning Stains?

[Ajwlive]

Hi All

Iv had a problem in my tank for a while now and its really getting annoying.

I clean out my tank fairly regularly, usually every two weeks.
But by the end of these two weeks the tank walls are covered in brown/green stains (im not sure if its algae or not)
but the plants get covered in it to.

It comes off fairly easilly but grows very quickly?

Is this algae? or something else (I have read about like carbon or something like that)

Im off to uni in september and I know if this problem continues my mum wont clean it out this often!
I have the tank light on for 14 hours a day, then it automatically dims to a dark blue light for nighttime.
The tank is situated in a corner of my room just out the way of the windows...
any ideas how to reduce or prevent it?

Thanks

Edit : Done some reading and it does seem like algae, I have a piece of wood in there too!
the tank has been running for a year and the stats are always fine.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Mike_S]

I am by no means an authority but I had a similar sounding issue with my tank a while back. It was algae. 14hrs seems like a lengthy period to have your light on, more light = more algae from what I read, but maybe others can clarify.

I got an algae eater and put my light on for less time and it has been fine ever since.

Hope that helps

 

[meguro]

14 hours is a really long time for the light to be on, especially if it is moderately intense. If you keep standard tropical fish (which are usually from the continents asia, south america, africa and australia), where in those places does light occur in nature for such a period of time?

Reduce your photo-period to 6-10 hours and see how that goes. And test your ammonia and nitrite levels too.

 

[Ajwlive]

Thanks for the fast reply!

I will turn the light down tonight and keep it like that from now on hopefully this helps.
I also intend on buying some more african zebra snails to help eat some of it.

Unfortunaltey my substrate at the botton has rough edges so getting a low swimming algae eater is out the question as they could get hurt on the substrate.

Its a biorb tank which im very quickly regretting buying!
can only have several types of fish, and other varios problems!

 

[BethK]

Can you not change your substrate?

I would leave the tank lights on for a max of 8hrs a day, might help cull the amount of algae forming.

Have you thought about getting some shrimp, they will be ok on your current substrate, or you could get a Siamese Algae Eater fish (depending on what fish you already have).

Also, try to avoid putting your tank in direct sunlight and more frequent water changes (4 -5 days) will help clear the algae issue.

Just out of interest, what fish do you currently have and what size tank? Just asking, as we might be able to advise what fish/shrimp etc could go in.

 

[Ajwlive]

Can you not change your substrate?

I would leave the tank lights on for a max of 8hrs a day, might help cull the amount of algae forming.

Have you thought about getting some shrimp, they will be ok on your current substrate, or you could get a Siamese Algae Eater fish (depending on what fish you already have).

Also, try to avoid putting your tank in direct sunlight and more frequent water changes (4 -5 days) will help clear the algae issue.

Just out of interest, what fish do you currently have and what size tank? Just asking, as we might be able to advise what fish/shrimp etc could go in.

Hmm I think the substrate has to be what it is otherwise it could clog the filter.

I currently have a 60 litre tank, and I have 8 neon tetras and 7 harlequin rasboras,.
I did have a pair of honey gouramis which passed away, they got moved to a quarentine tank when they got ill so the other fish were fine.

I will reduce the lighting on the tank to see if that helps.
Would the algae eater you suggested be ok for the tank?
and thanks for the help its really appreciated!

 

[BethK]

Hmmmmm maybe best going down to the correct forum section on here and asking.

A friend has a small one in her 80ltr with tetras and it's fine, as long as it's well fed or it will snack on whatever it can catch. Heard they can be a little aggressive too..........maybe not a great idea then