Hello New Member Has Problem With White Algae?

[bespoke123]

Hello I'm new to the forum & site. Looks very good indeed. Kept small tank for 4years recently have what is becoming an infestation of white algae?? in patches all over bottom of tank have had some black algae in past but this is new on me & really is becoming a problem not sure what it is or how to cure & most important how it may be affecting the fish. Have 11 gallon Tank small stock, 5 cardinals, 3 Harleqins a Rosi A sick (I think) Gourami not eating much very shy easily spooked and now spends a lot of tme fairly hidden either at bottom or top of tank, & a Golden nugget pleck. Had a few deaths a while ago of my pepper pot corys & some of the cardinals. Any advice how to solve white algae much appreciated. Have deliberstely kept stock low as I have not been happy with tank conditions for a while. I do change water 25% every few weeks occasionally 50% via vaccuuming gravel. I do check very regularly for nitrite which has been either not present or very very slight (probably due to over feeding)levesl ok for at least 6 months. Not sure if the algae could be due to over feeding in past not sure if gravel needs complete change or if something can be added have used an algae control product for black algae in past. Hope tro hear something soon.

Thanks for reading & your time in replying

Regards

Paul

 

[RadaR]

Well the Golden Nugget Plec will need to go soon as it will out grow your tank.
I think maitenance needs to be better to be honest.
Water changes should be weekly. It's worrying to hear that you are seeing nitrite levels on your test kit. That isnt good news and indicates you dont have enough nitrifying bacteria in the filter.

Keep lights on for only a few hours a day.
25% water change per week.
Gravel clean every 2 weeks.
Squeeze one filter sponge in tank water (in a bucket) once a month. Alternate which sponge gets squeezed.
Feed once a day.

Algae is triggered by ammonia and light. Once the algae blooms then it can use nitrates and other nutrients to grow. They aren't the problem though. You want to limit the amount of light and ammonia. The ammonia can be so low in concentration that it wont show up on a test kit. It;s there though. Not enough to harm the fish, but enough to cause algae.
Keep ontop of water quality and the algae should go away.