Algae, ugh!

[snytiger_92]

Can someone tell me the best way to eradicate green algae (off of leaves) and hair algae? I cannot find an SAE - looked everywhere. My LFS does not know the difference between an SAE and a Chinese Algae Eater. So,...

My lights are left on for about 13-14 hours a day - which will be dropped to 10 hours a day.

My nitrates are around 10-20.
My nitrItes are 0.
My ammonia is at 0 as well.

Thanks!
David

[superjohnny]

What are your PH & KH and/or CO2 levels? I've had the same sorts of algae for a long time and by increasing the KH & CO2 the algae is slowly going away. It's all about balance I guess.

[pl*co]

You're on the right track by lowering the amount of light time for the tank. I came across artificial plant cleaner while I was browsing a variety of sites. I think it was on Big Al's. Are your plants real or artificial? I would step up the water changes also and test for phosphates... might be why you have hair algae.

[Blinky]

I agree with superjohnny - it's all about balance. Can you post your ferts, CO2, pH, Kh and PO4 levels, as well as the type (PC, NO etc) and wattage of your lighting? My guess is low CO2, this seems to often result in hair algae.
Once light, CO2 and ferts are in balance, the plants get everything they need to grow well and can begin to out-compete the algae for nutrients.

[FishKeeper-16]

Test for phosphates cus if they are in excessive amounts, then that will cause algae

[snytiger_92]

pH - 7.2-7.6 (depends on when I change water)
I don't know how to measure the other levels.

[bigfishguy]

if u dont have predatory fish in ur tank and u feel like maybe spending 3$
go get three otocinclus cats they are amazing at eatting alge better then any other fish....
theres alot of types of zebra otos niger otos go pick um up...
u`ll be glad u did..they are amazing at controlling algae levels....
they just eat an eat an eat...till every leaf is as green as it was when u first got ur plant.....
i have a 55 gal planted tank and all of my anubias species gt coated with green algae my leaves looked like dark green velvet...i added two otos and in three days spotless.

[snytiger_92]

Cool, thanks for the advice. Are these fish comaptible with the SAE's?

[Signus]

Ottos? You bet. They're one of the nicest suckers you can get. They only grow to 2 inches and are very interesting to watch as they scrub the glass and other smooth objects that SAE's cannot nibble on. Once your algae problems are over, you'll need to help them out with some added veggies.

[kahlia07]

I find the otos to be really good algae eaters too, but they do not eat those green algae spots though.