Algae Problem

[spencermiles]

I have a 55gallon with Porcupine Puffer and Picasso Trigger fish. I am having horrible problems with algae covering everything, gravel, rocks, glass. It is a green algae, and rather thick.

I am going to do a big water change today, but in the past, they generally don't help that much. I think I do need to take the rocks out and clean them, because they are covered in algae. Is there any recommended way to clean the rocks? Should I use some sort of sterilizer, or just spray them off in the sink?

To avoid algae problems in the future, what can I try doing? I'm thinking that perhaps my tap water is high in phospates, and I'm going to get a test kit today to see if that's the problem. But other than that, how can I combat this problem?

Much thanks, Spencer.

 

[VDub90]

Welcome!! Could very well be that your tap water is high in phosphates and nutrients, which is causing the problem. If that's the case water changes should just make it worse. If it is the tap water maybe go to the store and do a change with some RO filtered water. If it is phosphates try one of the phosphate removers on the market. A sponsor on this site Algone is an algae remover. I have never used it though, but it looks like a good product.

 

[stephenray75]

Yes, I had the same problem. I switched to RO and now its getting better.
By the way you tank is over stocked. the puffer and trigger will need a lot bigger tank. That probably the porblem also. The tank is overstocked.