Algae question

J

jaxjags64109

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Feb 15, 2004
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I'm new to the hobby and have done a fair amount of reading and research in hopes of avoiding the disasters. I have a 55gal. and a 10gal tank both of which have recently stabilized after cycling the tanks with fish. I've stocked my 55 gal with more fish and so far have 3-Blue gouramis, 3-black phantom tetras, 3- black skirted tetras, and 12-zebra danios. My question is about algae, which has started to form on my glass and substrate in the tank. It is brown algae and is easily removed with a tank brush but is starting to be troubelsome. I do not want to get a chinese algae eater as I've read that they get agressive when they get older. Some of my research has led me to believe that ghost shrimp might be an option to help control algae. Any input or thoughts about how I can deal with this problem is appreciated.
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New to the hobby with a desire to be a fish keeper not a fish haver. 1-55gal freshwater and 1-10gal. freshwater
 
I think algae control is an interesting part of this hobby. Your new tank bio system is now able to support healthy algae, which almost everyone has to some degree. I don’t see plants listed in your post therefore competition does not exist for your algae. You did not tell us the nitrAte level in your tank, with the bio load you introduced I would guess it is high maybe pushing 60ppm. The ideal environment for algae is warm water, lots of nutrients, and excessive light. Over feeding contributes substantially. Take a look at all of these factors and your present method of managing them, and see if you need to make any changes.
 
hmmm...this topic has come up a lot lately. While everyone may get algae to some degree, not the brown algae commonly referred to as "Diatoms". This caused by all negative events, in any case which should be handled...not covered up with "algae eaters". ;)

Heres to link to our most recent conversation on this 'algae', and might I suggest reading the ABC's of LOG. :)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25034
 
Thanks for the input. I have read the ABC's of LOG a couple of times and I do believe that I'm guilty regarding the lighting being on too long. I have three real plants and a few artificial plants in the tank. I'm am monitoring the water parameters daily after introducing any new fish and see some changes but no major spikes and I do a water change before I reach any danger levels. My current levels are:

Ph - 6.8/6.9 (I use a dip test)

Ammonia - barely detectable 0.0065 (I test with a vial kit)

Nitrites - not detected (I use a dip test)

Nitrates - 20

I should note that the 3 gouramis and the 3 black skirted tetras were just added, after spending 2 weeks in a quarantine tank, yesterday, so the bioload just changed. However, the brown algae has been present for two weeks and seems to be building up more aggressively. I do a partial water change weekly (30%) and clean the glass but the substrate is being attacked as well. Because the tank is just recently started to stabilize after cycling I'm afraid to clean the substrate for fear of starting the cycle all over again. I am confident that I am not overfeeding and the live plants are just starting to mature so they may not yet be competeing with the algae as much as they will later. That leaves me with the lighting. It sounds like I better go get timers because I currently turn the lights on when I get up and off when I go to bed which means that they are on more than 12 hours. Again thanks for the input and any other suggestions are appreciated.
 
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