Algae growing on plants

[minka-1974]

Hi all

I set up a 50g tank over a month ago and transfered my existing fish (blue gourami, two black widow tetra and a baby clown loach) from a 13g setup. All has been going well. Plants and fish all looked healthy so have added some more fish a few batches at a time to make total of:
- 10 small neons
- 5 black widow tetra
- 5 small silver tip tetra
- one blue gourami
- one clown loach
(last fish went in last Wednesday)

Did have one new black widow tetra showing cotton wool growth on its dorsal fin so treated the tank last Thursday with Interpet anti fungus medicine which has cleared that up. All fish are active and eating well.

My problem is that I noticed on Friday a little algae on the glass and cleaned it off. Today I noticed it is also growing on the plants! Help!!

I have a Fluval 405 canister and also an airpump with two airstones

Lighting is a 18" 'beauty glow' and 2ft6" 'aquaglow' - the store did recommend stronger lights but they were freaking the fish out so I swapped for the above from my old tank

Water readings are: ammonia and nitrites 0 and nitrates 5

pH is 7.8

Couldn't get a test kit for KH

Temperature is 79F or 26C

I have never had this problem in previous set ups so wondered is the lighting too low or is it because of the medicine (seems a bit quick to start growing 24hrs after meds went in but then the fish was looking better that quickly so I guess this is possible?!)

Thanks for reading. Appreciate any thoughts! Cheers

[NCalien]

What kind of algae is it ?

[minka-1974]

I realise I should have mentioned what kind of algae but sorry I don't know! Its making the leaves of the plants (and the glass) look slightly furry and brown. Sorry thats the best I can do!

[NCalien]

Well I actually having thiws same problem right now its diatom algae and appearantly its common to all new tanks and there isnt any real solution but it will just go away by its self. This is my 3rd week and mine is finnally slowly going away

http://www.rexgrigg.com/Algae1.html

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208172

[minka-1974]

Hi NCalien

Thanks for your info. I will see how it goes. It isn't doing the plants alot of good but I have done some research and think I will up the strenght of the lighting for the plants and see if they can over come it. Shame i don't know the names of the plants :o( One is doing well but the others are all covered with it which won't do them much good!