purple algae solutions?

[FreshyFresh]

Dereks, what type of lighting do you have over this tank? Like said above, something was out of balance to cause this. Lights on too long, available nutrients in the water, etc..etc.. Just have to figure out what changed if this just popped up all of a sudden. I think you answered your own question though with the lack of water changes. Like Sheila said, adding more bio load to the tank won't be a cure. You have to adjust your maintenance to deal with the added bio load anyway.

 

[dereks]

"Dereks, what type of lighting do you have over this tank? Like said above, something was out of balance to cause this. Lights on too long, available nutrients in the water, etc..etc.. Just have to figure out what changed if this just popped up all of a sudden. I think you answered your own question though with the lack of water changes. Like Sheila said, adding more bio load to the tank won't be a cure. You have to adjust your maintenance to deal with the added bio load anyway."

I've got a dual fixture, two 18 watt 6700k plant bulbs.

So I'm fairly certain of the cause, I was just wondering if there's anything I can do (besides getting back to a routine maint) to solve the problem now that I've provoked it.

I'm doing weekly water changes, CO2, and dosing excel. I've ever had any problems before I slacked on WCs.

 

[FreshyFresh]

How old are the fluorescent lamps?

 

[dereks]

Old, that's another good point. They do need swapped, however I've never had a problem with old lighting before slacking on maint, as they say they spectrum changes. It wouldn't hurt for me to swap them out with new bulbs. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Businesscat12]

uv filtering might help not exactly the most cost effective solution though

 

[OrionGirl]

UV only addresses green water algae. Anything that's attached to objects won't be killed, and will get a free meal from the breakdown of the microfauna that's free swimming and is killed by the UV.

 

[dougall]

make sure your filters are clean and get your bulbs replaced on a decent schedule.

If the problem is related to slacking on water changes, it's likely down to the differences between tank water and tap; and the size of the water change too.