Fast growing weed in Tropical Fish Tank

helping_hubby · 23 January 2009 at 3:56PM

kitchpoo wrote: »

We have one of those bright yellow algae eaters...wondered why it seemed to be thriving recently. They don't get overfed - my hubby makes sure of that but the tank light is on for about 15 hours...as long as we are up....is that too much??

Yes 15 hours is way too much. Get a timer. My light comes on at 2pm and goes off at 10pm. This way I get to enjoy seeing the fish while I'm actually home.

It probably wouldn't hurt to not have the light come on for a week. Remove the algae manually as much as you can. Then when you turn the light back on do so for only 8 hours. That would be a start. Give it some time to adjust, if you're still struggling I'd suggest a visit to fishforums.net. But they'll want information such as:
Size of tank
Hours of light
Feeding
pH
Nitrates
to try and help you narrow down the cause.

Have to agree with Froglet, don't get snails

They are the bane of planted tank keepers lives (second to algae imo). If you ever get live plants dip your plants in a solution of potassium permanganate (can buy from a chemist), google for more info. This helps kill off any snails and eggs. I bought Botia Striata for my planted tank (http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-striata) - they eat snails and are gorgeous fish that don't grow too big. Mine are quite hardy too, they were my first fish 4 years ago and have survived everything including a house move.

snowman2_2 · 23 January 2009 at 11:29PM

I would stick in a fast growing plant such as cabomba or elodea - standard pond weeds. These will take out the nutrients from the water that the algae are using to grow and as an added bonus give extra oxygen. When the plants get too overgrown, just pull some out, they are pretty hardy. i used this tactic for a while when the light levels were wrong. Otherwise alter the light levels as mentioned above.

sodamnfunky · 24 January 2009 at 1:11AM

The trouble with hair algae is unless you get to the root cause of the problem, it will keep returning again and again,

The best way to deal with algae is to plant the tank heavily with fast growing plants like Vallis, Cambimba and Wisteria, these will use up the nutrients in the tank, and stop the algae feeding off it. Lights should come on for 8 hours, and the tubes changed yearly as a minimum. I change mine every 6 months

Getting a small clean up crew can help, but wont get rid of it. Id suggest a few amano shrimps, a bristlenose plec, and a 6 corydoras.

Try here, for excellent advice www.thetropicaltank.co.uk

meester · 24 January 2009 at 1:14AM

I thought this was a growing tip.

Most people have to use heat lamps and a glasshouse.

Pyewacket338 · 24 January 2009 at 1:23AM

Drop an apple sized ball of barley straw into the tank, it'll clear it all up a treat, no running costs and easy to do.

sodamnfunky · 24 January 2009 at 10:46AM

Pyewacket338 wrote: »

Drop an apple sized ball of barley straw into the tank, it'll clear it all up a treat, no running costs and easy to do.

Personally I wouldnt do that, as it will just return again and you wont have altered anything in your tank, except maybe kill a few fish

Pyewacket338 · 24 January 2009 at 8:10PM

sodamnfunky wrote: »

Personally I wouldnt do that, as it will just return again and you wont have altered anything in your tank, except maybe kill a few fish

My neighbour has 3 fish tanks and he's been doing it for years, he's 83 and seems to know his stuff.

sodamnfunky · 24 January 2009 at 9:03PM

Pyewacket338 wrote: »

My neighbour has 3 fish tanks and he's been doing it for years, he's 83 and seems to know his stuff.

What fish does he keep?

I have 4 aquariums running, 1 is a 400 litre marine reef tank, and another is a 200 litre high tech planted tank with pressurised CO2 so I know what I am doing. I wouldnt put anything in a tank thats not meant to be there.

Pyewacket338 · 24 January 2009 at 9:08PM

sodamnfunky wrote: »

What fish does he keep?

I have 4 aquariums running, 1 is a 400 litre marine reef tank, and another is a 200 litre high tech planted tank with pressurised CO2 so I know what I am doing. I wouldnt put anything in a tank thats not meant to be there.

I have no idea.... it's a bit late to be going asking him now.

I reckon the op has a fish tank in the corner of a room, I doubt a high tech solution is what they're looking for, for me fish are either in the wild or covered in a layer of parsley sauce. I am intrigued as to what the old fella says about it though so will have a chat with him.

Froglet · 24 January 2009 at 10:20PM

Even if barley straw is a help in reducing the algae,it is not solving the cause.I have not found barley straw to be of use in a pond with blanket weed,and i certainly haven't heard of it inside a tank! I don't like using chemicals or treatments unless there is no other option.Once you have any tank (or pond )running as it should be,with correct lighting,a well matured filter,and plenty of plants you can't go far wrong.