unwanted algea growth

[irish_red]

hey, I've noticed over the past week my tank becoming green and cloudy due to algea. I've done 40-50% water changes in it but it seems to make no difference. The tank is situated opposite a window would this be the cause of it? I was thinking about putting a black bag over the outside surface of the tank for a few days but would this cause any harm to the fish inside...there are 2 guppys 4 neons and soon to be guppy fry. I have another tank in a different part of the house which I do a 25% water change once a week in using the same water source as for this tank and it is fine and healthy. That is what has me so confused!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

How long is the tank exposed to direct sunlight?

I would suggest moving the tank if the sunlight is for more than a few hours or closing the blinds.

Perhaps you are overfeeding one and not the other, or more likely the sunlight.

 

[irish_red]

the curtains are pulled at 5:30am and aren't drawn again till dark, so they get day light for as long as the sun is shing.I am feeding the fish flakes and what ever they dont eat( which isn't much) i clean up off the bottom after bout 10minutes. I can't really move the tank as it won't fit anywere else. Is there anything I can treat the water with to stop the algea growth?cause I can't reaally afford to buy a stand for this tankfor te next few months.

 

[isu_guy]

have you considered an algae eating fish?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

The sunlight is the problem.

Direct sunlight causes algal blooms, which ends up raising CO2 levels in the tank (bacteria use up O2 to break down the algae), which ends up suffocating the fish.

Algae eaters would not be enough.

Is anyone in the room the entire day? If not, I would highly advise closing the curtains.