algae on glass

[cmar]

i've been battling algae or film on my glass for the past few months. to the point of having to scrape @ every 2 or 3 days. phosphates read 0, nitrates @ 20 or so. what else could be the problem? 2 powerheads, (mag 1200, aquaclear 50), 55 gal., @ 2'' sand, 35 or so lbs of liverock, 1-1/2 yrs. running. couple hermits, handful of snails, 2 damsels, 1 yellow tang, 1 butterfly, 1 clown.
could old lights be a factor? problems started @ time lights were 6 mos. old.
thanks:swear:!

 

[rcervel]

I'm no expert but as the lights age, the spectrum they give out might change leading to increased algae. Not sure if six months is long enough for that to happen, so it might be something in regards to water quality.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Do you use tap water?

 

[Snow1576]

Maybe you have too much light or leave the lights on too long? How long do you leave your lights on during the day?

 

[cmar]

i use a r/o filter, and the lights are on approx. 8 hrs. or less.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Well, try replacing your lights and see what happens. I noticed an increase in algae in my tank as the lights approached a year in age. I suppose it could happen at 6 months.

 

[fishboy93256]

y do you have to chang the light i have a bio cube and is aproching a year soon
should i cang my lights:wall::wall::22_yikes::22_yikes:

 

[Eddiecorrea]

y do you have to chang the light i have a bio cube and is aproching a year soon
should i cang my lights:wall::wall::22_yikes::22_yikes:

At about 8 months with Power Compact lights you need(well you dont have to.Its personal preference and depends on what your raising) to change the bulbs because the spectrum changes with age. The change in spectrum can affect algae growth but it is not usually a big deal. What color is the algae?

 

[Ken_Allen]

Is it brown algae? I just have a magfloat and people around the house go crazy with it all the time and my tank glass is always algae free and crystal clear.

 

[BucJason]

If you have a tank with no algae growing it would be the 1st in the history of the world...cleaning glass is just part of the hobby.

8 hours is fine for the light. Only other thing you can do is increase your maintenance schedule to include more water changes. 20 nitrates is not bad, but if you reduce it to around 5 , you'll have alot slower algae growth.