My Tank Has Algae Problems PLEASE HELP!!

[lisaemc2]

I have 2 10g freshwater tanks. Same amount of fish, Mollies, only difference is my problem tank has an Inca Snail the other a Cory Cat. The Cory Cat's tank never has any problems. Tank 1 started w/ bubbles in the water & looking like there's something always floating in the water. Then there was the bacteria foam. I got rid of the foam then @ 1 week later my water started going green. There's no real algae on the walls or decor. I do have a swordtail plant that has several propagations. I did a 10% water change then it's another week later & I did another 10% change. Dilution has always worked for me in the past. So, here's what I did today: a 10% H2o change, scrubbed the decor, walls, equipment, filter cartridge, upped the amount of salt. The algae bloom is like a plague & these bubbles that won't go away, I just hate it. What am I doing wrong?

 

[petluvr]

What you did wrong was scrub everything down. Has this tank been properly cycled and confirmed via a liquid test kit?

 

[cicrush13]

scrub before siphoning and try doing a 20% change to help remove excess particles.

 

[petluvr]

I would suggest not scrubbing anything. What is your photoperiod, what type of lights are you running, are you sure nothing has died in the tank recently, what are you water parameters?

 

[ValorG]

So you have green water? Buy an in tank uv sterilizer. Just put it in whenever you need it and put it away once your water is clear. Always a nice investment.

 

[spirofucci]

Agree with petluver, How new is you tank? What are the water quality parameters? How long is the light on and what type of light etc. If everything is OK, I'd do your regular water changes and what you normally do. Algae is not a bad thing! Actually it is good for water quality. I'll bet it will sibside all by itself.

I'm sure you will get other good advice as well and keep us posted on what worked for you.

mark

 

[bitbot]

Algae need light and nutrients to thrive.
you could add a floating plant like duckweed to use up some of those nutrients.
Also, I would suggest a larger water change each week - maybe 30 - 40%.

 

[londonloco]

So you have green water? Buy an in tank uv sterilizer. Just put it in whenever you need it and put it away once your water is clear. Always a nice investment.

+1 on this. I'm betting this is a fairly new set up. You can either get a uv sterilizer or wait it out. Petsmart sells "The Green Killing Machine": http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2750628&lmdn=SHOP+FOR.

 

[mworks]

You need to test the water and see what the levels are for nitrates, nitrites, etc. That will tell you where the problem is.

 

[lisaemc2]

My tank is not new. It's been set up for 2 1/2 years. A snail died @ 2 weeks ago. I leave some slime for my other snail. There are plants in the tank. I use full-spectrum (it's what the box said anyway) lighting. I typically leave the light on from noon to 11 or midnight. During this ordeal I've only been turning on the light when I feed them plus I've cut back on their food. My parameter are : temp. - 78º to 80º pH - 7.6 Ammonia - 0ppm Nitrite 0ppm Nitrate - somewhere between 10 & 15ppm. And I use a good bit of salt, Mollies like their water a bit more brackish than others. So, I pretty much have all the advice covered. Only one left to go; waiting it out. I will let everyone know the progress.