Stupid algae!

[Nuttygal! :0)]

I have a 10gal on my windowsill currently with 1 baby black moor in it, and one small shrimp (black moor will be moved soon!) but just recently, the whole tank and decorations and everything is getting covered with algae. The tank has a background thingy, and there's not really much light getting to it other than the tank light. The algae looks really gross, and every other time that I do water changes, I have to catch the black moor and shrimp and bag them up for a while, then empty the whole tank and scrub EVERYTHING! It takes ages, and I'm getting bored of it now! So, what else can I do? The tank has 1 real plant, stones, rocks and driftwood, but that can't be anything to do with the algae bloom, can it? Oh, and there's no where else the tank can go - it's only me in the family that is a fishoholic (in constant Fishy Mode!!) and my bedroom is completley full, what with the other SEVEN fish tanks in there AND the two lizards tanks, it has to stay put on the windowsill!

 

[WILDER]

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/algae.htm

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Thanks Wilder, great link. But, 1 prob...the tank doesn't have a heater! Because he's a black moor, and is coldwater, does this mean that any tropicals wouldn't be able to surive in that tank? I think so! I've had the shrimp for ages, and he's fine in that cold tank, he munches all the algae pellets and is active, but just doesn't chomp on the algae!

 

[WILDER]

Shouldn't mix tropicals with coldwater, as the tropical fish get scared of the goldfish causing stress, though saying that i keep 3 female platys with mine as they are massive never had babies, they get on fine with the two goldfish i have heater in my tank set at 25, and the platys are thriving, you can't put algae eater with goldfish as they suck on there slime coat, though some do keep hill stream loaches with goldfish.

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Doh!

 

[FoundMoney]

I've had the shrimp for ages, and he's fine in that cold tank, he munches all the algae pellets and is active, but just doesn't chomp on the algae!

I think the shrimp probably enjoys the algae pellets more than the actual algae. I would suggest not putting the algae pellets in for a while and see if the shrimp gets hungry enough to start eating the algae.

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Could do that!

 

[Ferris]

I'm guessing the problem is that the tank is on your window sill. Direct sunlight will quickly bring on algae growth. If you can't move the tank, try blocking out the sunlight a bit more with curtains or something similar.

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

I thought it was the sunlight too. That's why I added the background. I didn't make any difference! it is a longer background, so it covers the back and both sides, and light can't get through the lid! And the actual tank isn't getting too much tank light!

 

[Ferris]

Its a strange one them, algae needs light to grow. You've got me stumped.

 

[Ferris]

Just had another thought, if you could squeeze in a couple more live plants they will use some of the nutrients that the algae needs and may help to kill it off. Could be worth a try!

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

It's brown algae, by the way!

 

[Ferris]

OK, brown algae normally only occurs in tanks within the 1st few months of them being setup. It is very rare in tanks of say older than 6 months and normally clears up by itself eventually. I still think some more plants could help though.

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

OK thanks, I'll buy more plants!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

doesn't brown algae feed off the silicon in new tanks? how long has the tank been set up for?