New Tank Algae Problems

[bigdave2009]

where is all this algae coming from?
I have a new 55 gallon with about 10 fish in it.
It is my first planted tank.
Water parimiters are decent, besides the fact the nitrite is on a SPIKE!
Hard green spot algae is on the glass, along with brown that is on the glass and plants.
What should i do to prevent and move it?
I believe my light is 2.34 watts per gallon.
I did start the cycle with mature filter as well.
I am doing 2 water changes weekly.
I am debating on adding this chemical algae remover I just bought.
Let me know what to do guys, and how to prevent it if possible.
Also, no Co2 in my tank...all natural.

 

[rdd1952]

I know this isn't the answer to your problem but if the nitrite is spiking, your water paramaters are a problem. You should be doing water changes daily (2 or 3 times a day if necessary) to get and keep the nitrite (ammonia to if any reading) level below .25 ppm. The corys and blue ram will not far well in bad water and you are at risk of losing them.

Anyway, back to the question. How long are your lights on each day? Does the tank ever get direct sunlight? Brown algae is very common in new tanks. It feeds on the silica that is leeched from the silicone. It will eventually clear on it's own. Green spot algae is a little harer to clear up. You can scrap it from the glass. From what I've read, most algae eaters don't eat it. Also, it says you slow put slow moving plants in areas where they get less light. Direct sunlight also should be avoided.

Last but not least, I would not use the algae removal chemical. Chemicals are only a temporary fix and eventually, you have to find the problem and solve it or it will only come back.

 

[bigdave2009]

no direct sunlight, light is on for about 10-12 hours.

 

[rdd1952]

It sounds like scraping is about the only way to remove the green spot algae. One article I read said that Neritina zebra snails would eat it but I don't know how true that is or if you could even find them. Another said that otos, plecs and other rasping fish weren't very effect at removing it because it was so firmly fused to the tank. You may also want to have the phosphates tested to make sure they aren't too high.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Your water parameters are probably going to be the biggest cause of algae at the moment. If there is detectable nitrite that there has probably been and ammonia spike as well which would trigger algae bloom. As mentioned do a couple of water changes each day to bring it down. This will most likely sort out the brown algae.

The green spot/dust algae is common and I have never had a tank without it. I dont think there is any way to stop it from growing but just running a magfloat over the glass once a week is normally enough to keep it under control.

2.4wpg with no CO2 for 10-12 hours is going to cause different algae problems later on. How densely planted is it? If there are a lot of plants then DIY CO2 and a shorter light period would be a good idea (I would drop the lighting period down to about 8 hours anyway).