Algae from direct sunlight

abcdefghi said:
They only get fed once a day, and a fast day during the week, shades for the window would not work (its the front door) and they already get a good 40% water change/gravel vac weekly.

:)
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Well, then I guess it seems the sunlight is the only problem.
You can:
Blow up the sun (I have schematics for a device that can do it, front me the 124 million to build it)
Put a shade over the door
Get a new door
Move the tank

Why don't you buy a cheap, small curtain, and attach it to the top of your door? You could still see out of it, just move the curtain over to see.

Moving the tank seems a pain, but it's do-able.

I don't think getting a new door is appropriate for this situation.
 
I just remembered something someone on here said about brown diatomes that makes sense. Light isn't the problem, because the diatomes are brown. They do not have clorofil(sp?) and therefore don't do photosynthesis. They get energy from somewhere else. Which brings back the phosphate question. I've never seen a test kit for phosphates for fresh water, but I would expect that phospates are the problem. If I remember right, like nitrates they are a product of decomp, and might already be in your tap water. If that is the problem, the solutions would be:
more plants
More oto's
Scrubbing
Accepting it
(not in any order)
 
Hebily said:
I just remembered something someone on here said about brown diatomes that makes sense. Light isn't the problem, because the diatomes are brown. They do not have clorofil(sp?) and therefore don't do photosynthesis. They get energy from somewhere else. Which brings back the phosphate question. I've never seen a test kit for phosphates for fresh water, but I would expect that phospates are the problem. If I remember right, like nitrates they are a product of decomp, and might already be in your tap water. If that is the problem, the solutions would be:
more plants
More oto's
Scrubbing
Accepting it
(not in any order)
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You are surely on the right path there... I like the last comment "ACCEPTING IT" lol...

Phosphate tests are common. Should be easy to get your hands on one.. API makes them.

Yah I never watched those either in freshwater world...the marine tank world forced me to learn a lot about water chemistry. It's not very common chatter in fresh world I think.(phosphate).

Diatoms feed on silicates also... but that is a marine issue and using sand with silicates. We just let it ride and keep those Phosphates down and nitrates down..it corrects itself. Silicates will deplete and thats the end of it.

One thing we have to our advantage is clean up crews like hermits and snails to...
 
I think I will try more plants first, I want to get more plant growth in the tank anyway, so hopefully it will combat the problem.

ToeJam... I have also never seen a Phosphate test kit, well I have seen them online but have never managed to find one at any LFS nearby (I also struggle to find any GH/KH test kits locally though!!)
 
abcdefghi said:
I think I will try more plants first, I want to get more plant growth in the tank anyway, so hopefully it will combat the problem.

ToeJam... I have also never seen a Phosphate test kit, well I have seen them online but have never managed to find one at any LFS nearby (I also struggle to find any GH/KH test kits locally though!!)
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Thats too bad... any Marine fish stores? I know they have to have that.
Petco and Petspals here in the states has API test kits..some may not carry the separate Phos kits.

API makes a reefmaster test kit that comes with it but thats a waste since you wont need Calc and Alk tests
 
Also, those kits say they are for use with saltwater. Will the reagents react properly with freshwater?
 
Hebily said:
Also, those kits say they are for use with saltwater. Will the reagents react properly with freshwater?
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Good question Example of it being ok for both:: API ammonia test kits on the box state for fresh and salt. It should be listed on the box if its specific to one type of water.. so far I do not think it matters on most test kits.

Just be sure you read the box.

the only thing different i had to purchase when I first switched over to marine was PH had to be different. Because in marine we test at 8.4 range...while fresh is much lower ranges like 6 isnt it?
 
ToeJam said:
Thats too bad... any Marine fish stores? I know they have to have that.
Petco and Petspals here in the states has API test kits..some may not carry the separate Phos kits.
Click to expand...

I think that usually when I go looking they are simply sold out, I will most likely end up just ordering a Master Test Kit online at some point.
 
I know my 'standard' ph reagent maxes at 8.4 I always have to use my 'high range' ph reagent which starts at like 8.0. tests at like 8.6 and HARD lol.... mineral deposits suck. particularly when toilet jets get clogged by them.
 
abcdefghi said:
I think that usually when I go looking they are simply sold out, I will most likely end up just ordering a Master Test Kit online at some point.
Click to expand...

API Mater Test kit for freshwater does NOT test phosphates! Only pH, high range pH, Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates.
 
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