Algae Growth Blocking HOB Output

[jmhart]

So, recently it's been the battle of the bulge between me and the algae growing in my HOB. It doesn't even take three weeks for a thick layer to grow on/over the outlet of my HOB and reduce/almost stop the flow. By week 5, flow is completely cut off by this thick wall of algae. Then I pull it all out, throw in a new filter pad, and it starts all over again.

It's definitely some type of macro algae. It's thick nasty stuff. I don't have an algae problem in my tank. (Well,ok, maybe I have a little BBA, but who doesn't :smurf:.) Point is, anybody else have any experience with this.

It may be a moo point(you know, like a cow's opinion...it's moo) since I'm switching over to a cannister filter, but I wanted to get some info.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

how often do you clean it? i have sponges i switch out and clean with bleach. maybe plant mass or extra fish food.

 

[jmhart]

So,I clean a little each time I replace a filter cartridge. I have two cartridges, replace one every 3 weeks, so half of the HOB gets, eh, wiped down every 3 weeks.

About every 3 months I break it down and scrub it out with a toothbrush(using old tank water, of course).

I'll put some pictures up after work today.

 

[J double R]

macro algae? what color is it? sounds like an excess of regular gunk.. often caused by overfeeding, underfiltration, or both. I see youre definitely not underfiltering, so try checking just how much food theyre eating vs how much you're feeding them.

oh, and it's moot with a 't'.

 

[jmhart]

oh, and it's moot with a 't'.

Yeah, I was making a "Friends" reference...

Anyway, I supposed I could be overfeeding, but it seems like I'd have more of an algae issue in the tanks as well. Maybe pictures will shed some light.

 

[fishieperson321]

I think I know what you are talking about. My filter gets green algae growth on the output but it doesn't become a problem for years. I wonder what is up?!?! Got any pics?

Daniel

 

[Lil_Stinker]

hmmm

Is the filter covered?
is it translucent?

I prefer black filters & keep them covered, no light reduce algea...

 

[RedScare]

I clean my HOB filters weekly. Except for the bio media that is.

 

[jmhart]

Is the filter covered?
is it translucent?

I prefer black filters & keep them covered, no light reduce algea...

This could be part of it. The filter is covered, but it's a Whisper, so it's translucent. This coincides with the addtion of more lighting. And, given that it's growing over my output, there's low co2. This may be the culprit.


As mentioned, it's a moo[sic] point. Ditching the HOB after the new year anyway.

 

[jmhart]

Took me long enough, and kind of a moo[sic] point now because I'm taking it off the tank, but I've got pictures now.