Need a sucka!

[Robert04]

My sister has a 15 and it isn't near the window but is exposed to enough light that her tank breaks out in green algae and the water turns green.. So I now do large waterchanges 35-40% every two weeks and use a UV sterilizer like CWO4GUNNER has suggested.. I tried the curtain thing but it was way ugly so that's probably your best bet.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2750628

 

[Rbishop]

Nutrient killing is best...a mystery snail could help.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I now enjoy saving energy by using window light without algae problems. Makes sense since the technology application was born out of necessity in ponds where sunlight is huge and algae was once a big problem before the UV filter.

 

[Star_Rider]

a uv filter will only help with those algae that are suspended in the water column.
they are very effective for green water issues.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

a uv filter will only help with those algae that are suspended in the water column.

That is how it all starts, chromosome damage to reproductive floating spores or algae cells equals allot less algae if any. In fact becasue algae rely heavily on sexual reproduction in a stable environment many type algae never reproduce and when they do they must rupture to release and create new colonies.

This is where the UV light and pump come into play, wherein if the pump is slow enough and matched to the duration of exposure algae cluster cells as they pass by the UV light, chromosome damage occurs and no more reproducing or starting colonies introduced my new fish, plants, old ornaments, new sand, old filters or water changes. It is the egg not the chicken that has to be dealt with.

 

[Juice]

Nutrient killing is best...a mystery snail could help.

I'm thinking about getting one. Last time I got one from the petstore it was pregnant! Had to deal with a bunch of babies

 

[shwank005]

WHiptail cats have worked well for me, if you can find them.

 

[Chrisinator]

Apple Snails and Mystery snails produce more poop. I'd recommend getting some Nerite Snails, they are a little harder to find than Apple Snails. In such as small tank, you won't need as much in a bigger tank so aquiring them shouldn't be expensive.

Having a UV sterilizer will kill free-floating algae that goes into the steriilizer itself.

 

[hamsterman]

Common pond snails do the trick for me. They also don't create too much waste, are free, and can be easily eradicated by crushing. They also reproduce well so you'll have more to combat the algae in no time!

 

[Chrisinator]

Common pond snails do the trick for me. They also don't create too much waste, are free, and can be easily eradicated by crushing. They also reproduce well so you'll have more to combat the algae in no time!

But the thing is, it can easily overpopulate a tank.