Algae in fish tank

Froglet

Sam,how big is your tank? For 5 large goldfish it should need to be at least 4 ft and probably even larger.That may be the reason you struggle if it is smaller.Goldfish are messy eaters,and even though you have good filtration,it can be a constant struggle.But it does not have to be clean clean.The most important factor is that the bacteria are mature and doing their job right in consuming the nasties that can so damage a fishes health.By changing all the water in one go you are removing some of the bacteria and by washing the gravel,even more so.

Stephb1986_2

you can buy stuff from pets at home to get rid of green hair algae its about £2.99, I hope this helps

Steph xx

marshallka

A good bit of info here may help


http://aquariums.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_keep_fish_aquariums_algae_free

Mel2

What exactly are the readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH? I bet that your nitrate level is high. It should be below 20 whilst ammonia and nitrite should be 0. I'd seriously look into getting bigger tanks for all your fish as they are all overstocked but until then I'd do 30% water changes twice a week.

basill

We had a very unsightly infestation of black hairy algea early on with out 100l tropical aquarium. We were keeping a close eye on the water chemical levels and a timer for the lights significantly reduced the growth of green dust on the glass. The thing that finished the hair algea was the introduction of four little stripey algea eaters. I`m afraid I cannot remember the breed as we got them about 5 years ago but they soon ate the lot and we have had no repeat problems. Perhaps your fish shopcould recommend something?

B

Buffythedebtslayer

Hello, wow thank you for the replies,

I shall increase the water changes, (I know we now have a multi quote button but I am not technologically minded) do you think 30% is too much tho?

I will also test the water and try and get accurate readings. I generally go by the colours pale = good...

I only have the lights on for about 6 hours a day? and I got new bulbs in march.

thank you all again for the advice.

Buffy x

Buffythedebtslayer

Just a quick update,

I took out all the plants and fish and essentially restarted both tanks, I cleaned the plants as best I could and did 50% water change, I was very careful with the water and the fish lots of testing and floating them in plastic bags!

I am leaving the lights on for only 6 hours in the evening and feeding every second day. fingers crossed it will work. I will do a mid week WC as well, as a regular thing.

I just really wanted to say thank you for the links - have been doing a lot of reading

Buffy

Mandles

Buy some fish that eat algae.

gjchester

We found turning the light off during the day for an hour and making sure you have a good water flow seemed to cure it.

The ligts come on at 7 and stay on till 12, then go off till 1 and stay on till 9-30. We were told once the algae can't grow as well with interupted light, and it seems to help in our tanks.

HelenYorkshire

Have you checked and cleaned / changed your filter sponges / carbon?
I have a teeny little tank and 4 danios only, plus lots of vallis. The vallis had a death phase but is now regrowing (well, I pulled out the dead ones and the "seedlings" sprouted nicely). During this time there was so much hair algae I literally stuck my hand in, swirled a bit, wrapped it all around my hand and pulled it out.
Manual removal like that seems to have it under control. There is a little bit still but seems to be in balance. After the vallis massacre I also changed my filter sponge and carbon - not ideal to do both at same time, but the gravel holds plenty of your good bacteria...
I also have a moderate snail infestation - but I think they nibble some algae!

My water always comes out "top grade" in pet shop tests, my light is turned on when I go to work and turned off when I go to bed, with the occasional dark day if I forget...!

I say this mainly to let you know that "bodging" can work. My fish and water are healthy and happy; the "undesirable elements" are present but in balance / under control. The main things I think that help are:
- not overfeeding - my fish are always keen when they are fed. Excess food is quickest way to foul everything up.
- plenty of healthy plant growth - vallis is cheap and easy.
-good lump of bogwood - yes it stains your water but does release so many beneficial chemicals, I love the stuff. And good for hidey holes!
- not overcleaning the gravel - this in itself is a kind of biological filter for your tank
- manual removal of pests rather than chemicals - they unbalance everything else in your tank. Get a fresh pan scourer to clean glass; use an old pencil or something to twizzle up hair algae, like spaghetti lol.
- try not to expect perfection - I've never seen a sparkling clear river / pond. Nature is grubby