Inherited tank

[Mat bass]

I have inherited a 3ft x 1ft tropical tank with a small veriety of about 20+ fish nc, 2 cats (black spot I think about 100mm, 2 flying fox 1 about 100mm 2 about 75mm, the rest are samll barbs, tetras and something else I can't remember. The problem I have is the tank was situated in a south facing conservatory, so loads of light and warmth for the old algea to grow. we cleaned the stuff a little b4 I got it but I now still got a major algea prob apart fm using chems is there any way of getting rid of it? I got a Fluval 4 pump/filter. I change about 1/4 water every 2 weeks, I feed them sparingly and the light is on about 6-8 hours a day. I think I need help. any ideas??? I do have an external 4 stage Ehim Canister filter that needs some of the filter stuff replacing in the shed which can be used.

 

[snowyangel]

Well besides getting algae eaters(ottos, pleco), i would advise getting live plants. The plants will compete with the algae for nitrate for fertilizer, so less algae to bloom. Also to reduce algae, turn your lights on and off through out the day. Like 3 hrs on, then 30 mins off, then 3 hrs on, etc. It's easy for algae to become dorment, but it takes longer for it to start up again.