View Full Version : Need HELP!
nano55
11-13-2010, 10:51 AM
I have a 100 gal fish tank that is plagued with brown algae. Twice a month I have to do major tank maintance on that tank; consisting of taking every rock and decoration out of the tank and scraping and scrubbing the algae off, as well as vacuuming the subtrate, filter maintance, and a 75% water change. I expect to do regular tank maintance with the filter maintance, vacuuming, and water changes, but this algae has to go!! I have peacocks, brichardis, a raphael cat, and a spotted cat. Are there any algae eaters that would take care of this brown algae? How many would I need for that size tank? Any advice would be deeply appreciated!
Cerianthus
11-13-2010, 3:34 PM
How long has this tank been running? Is this only tank you have? If you have few tanks, is this the only tank with brown agae?
Sounds like Diatom. With an assumption that this is diatom, is it possible to test silicate, PO4 levels in both tap/tank water?
What kind of lighting (type, wattage, length, bulbs) and duration of light? dimension of the tank?
Pics possible?
amazonadam
11-13-2010, 3:38 PM
Ottoclincus would work. Add a school of about 10-15.
yes sounds like diatoms.
what is the substrate your Kh & Gh readings?
Diatoms mainly feed of silicates in hard water.
nano55
11-13-2010, 9:01 PM
How long has this tank been running? Is this only tank you have? If you have few tanks, is this the only tank with brown agae?
Sounds like Diatom. With an assumption that this is diatom, is it possible to test silicate, PO4 levels in both tap/tank water?
What kind of lighting (type, wattage, length, bulbs) and duration of light? dimension of the tank?
Pics possible?
This tank has been running for about 16 years or so. The subtrate is aquarium gravel. I have holey rock, slate, even a couple of pieces of coral, and assorted rocks in the tank. The tank is 72 inches in length. and I believe 19 incles tall. Bulbs are just standard aquarium bulbs, not sure the wattage. The tank is at least 15 feet away from window light. The tank lights are on somewhere between 8-12 hrs a day. I have another tank, 110 gal. with crushed coral subtrate. It is in a florida room with 5 windows and sliding glass doors. It gets plenty of light, and no algae problems with that one! Why is the 100 gal the only tank with the algae problem? I am including a few pictures. The first two are the 100 gal and the last one is the 110.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u12/nano55/IMG_2582.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u12/nano55/IMG_2544.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u12/nano55/IMG_2575.jpg
pbeemer
11-14-2010, 11:42 AM
not that it has anything to do with your diatom problem, but those are gorgeous tanks
nano55
11-14-2010, 2:07 PM
not that it has anything to do with your diatom problem, but those are gorgeous tanks
Thanks!! I've had fish tanks since I was in the 4th grade, and I'm not even gonna tell ya how long ago that was, lol! :D I can't remember ever having a tank with algae like this that I can't seem to get rid of. I really don't want to dump any medication or chemicals in it if I can help it to get rid of the problem, so was hoping maybe plecos might be the solution, I don't know. Chinese algae eaters? What ever would need to get along with peacocks and brichardis.
soobie
11-14-2010, 2:41 PM
Chinese algae eaters don't get along with anything.
blue2fyre
11-14-2010, 2:57 PM
I would suggest nerite snails. They should be fine with your cichlids and they are excellent algae eaters.
Cerianthus
11-14-2010, 6:48 PM
With an assumption that those strips are 36" long each, most like 30W 36" bulbs.
Does each strip holds two bulbs or one?
If bulbs are old, may be time for a change?
rill2004
11-14-2010, 6:51 PM
Those tanks are stunning.
Sorry you are having problems but did have to add have amazing they look.
nano55
11-14-2010, 10:35 PM
With an assumption that those strips are 36" long each, most like 30W 36" bulbs.
Does each strip holds two bulbs or one?
If bulbs are old, may be time for a change?
The bulbs are 25W all glass aquarium bulbs. They are about 2 years old now. The tank has two hoods, and each holds only 1 bulb. How often should they be changed? They seem ok to me, but you never know. I am going to talk to the lfs that I go to and ask about the different kinds of bulbs available and see if there is a better one I should be using. I think I may get some snails like someone suggested and see if that helps with the algae.
nano55
11-14-2010, 10:40 PM
Those tanks are stunning.
Sorry you are having problems but did have to add have amazing they look.
Thanks, that's nice to hear! Hopefully I get the algae under control and soon, I hope! :grinyes:
Chinese algae eaters don't get along with anything.
no kidding!!! I just re-homed mine.
It did a great job of cleaning up the diatoms and attacking other fish.
If Satan was a fish .. it would be a Koi, if it had a son it would be a Chinese Algae Eater.
nano55
11-16-2010, 12:58 AM
no kidding!!! I just re-homed mine.
It did a great job of cleaning up the diatoms and attacking other fish.
If Satan was a fish .. it would be a Koi, if it had a son it would be a Chinese Algae Eater.
I went into a pet store Monday and told a guy there that I wanted to get some of the snails mentioned earlier in this thread and he told me they wouldn't last long in my peacock tank. I asked about plecos, and got on the subject of chinese algae eaters. I told him that I definitely didn't want any chinese algae eaters. He seemed surprised and asked why, and I told him that I heard they were pretty aggressive. I know my peacocks can get some what aggressive at times, but I wouldn 't want to take a chance of a chinese algae eater picking on the peacocks.