Green algae won't go away...

Algone is not a chemical, it's a pouch you put in your filter's flow path. I think it might be barley straw or something like that, just a guess because they don't say what it is. I agree most algae quick fixes are bad, but in this case it is not a chemical, so is worth a try. I certainly would try it before you spend about 20x more on a UV sterilizer.
 
How long has the tank been set up? It's common to have a green algae bloom (green water) in the first few weeks. UV will kill it, but waiting it out, letting things stabilize should also work. It's not easy, I usually add a UV, I'm not that patient. But a UV won't solve the problem. To have a successful planted tank, you need to have a balance of light, nutrients and co2. The current trend today, and it works, is to limit the light, and max out on co2 and ferts. Google planted aquarium forums, read some, pick the one you like and read some more. I like www.aquaticplantcentral.com, and dose PPS. Another good site is http://www.plantedtank.net/, time permitting I still read new posts at both those sites daily.
 
Well, I stopped doing water changes because they are annoying and take forever. Apparently, this helped clear up the water. It's still a bit murky, but far better.
 
Try adding a few drops of AP Crystal Clear:
http://www.petco.com/product/105344/Aquarium-Products-Crystal-Clear-Water-Clarifier.aspx

Very cheap, very effective flocculant - it binds smaller particles together into bigger particles your filter can more effectively process. It is even safe for reef tanks. Then add some polyester fiber fill (PolyFill, much cheaper) or the blue and white bonded pad that they sell at pet stores. This should finish taking care of it.
 
I use only HOB filters. So I would need a whole new way of doing things. Or at least a bunch of stuff I have no idea how to work or put together.
Would a UV sterilizer light on over a HOB filter work? Like, instead of the regular covers they have to keep water splashing in the area where the media is, I put a UV sterilizer bulb up and facing the water in there. Would that not work? Are there open air UV sterilizer bulbs even? Would it harm the fish if the light ever went directly into the tank??
 
I think with this plethora of info (good info)… this comes down to one thing. Finding the root cause of the outbreak and ending it.
UV Sterlizer nice…does a good job…but this doesn’t stop the root of the problem. What if you get bluegreen going on the substrate later? Or hair algae going out of control? That UV and algone stuff does work but doesn’t deal with the root of the problem. Bandaid fixes is a term most commonly used around here.

Algae simply thrives with poor water parameters. Nitrate and Phosphate. You control those two things. You stop the algae outbreak.

I keep my lights on for 8 hours. Which is a lot with the lights I have. I am using 500watts of Metal Halide lighting. I can easily have a algae outbreak if my nitrates and phosphates were not in check.

Like another poster mentioned he left his lights on a long time, Yet no algae problem. I bet its due to his parameters being so good.

You can save yourself money and time by checking your water source. Phosphate api test kit should be roughly 12 bucks. Let’s say you took my advise. And found your water source for changing had 30ppm of phosphate….. that would be a sure sign of one of the root causes here.

Phosphate is overlooked too often. Blue Green thrives on it. Hair algae grows like mad on it. Dino’s love it…. SO many troubles come from this element it’s not funny. Reason I stress to check for it.

Good luck…. And hope you find out the root of the problem. It can be frustrating.
 
Don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but UV sterilizers seem like a big old waste of money to me. They fix one problem reliably - green water - which will go away by itself if you just have patience.

I am skeptical about their disease prevention properties. My local Petco uses one in their sump (I have a friend who works there) yet their fish look like absolute crap. They also keep their tanks at a relatively high SG (1.005), yet they still get ich.

As ToeJam says, the key is water quality. Just because your nitrates test 0 ppm does not mean your tank parameters are perfect. Algae of all kind thrives in unbalanced conditions, UV sterilizers do not correct imbalances.

This is not directed at you, this is just a trend I have noticed. Why do people have problems (green water, ich) and then want to run out and buy a UV sterilizer? It's not nearly as expensive as some test kits. Once you find the source of your problem, you can correct it...but spend some money finding the source. Even if it does turn out to be phosphate you can use PhosGuard or something like that and it will still be cheaper than a UV sterilizer with the cost of replacement bulbs (if you follow the schedule, which is the only way to guarantee effectiveness).
 
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