Too Much Green Algae: Tanganykian Tank

[stylEmon]

Hey all,

Is there anything I can do to get rid of, or slow down the algae growth?

I can appreciate the green algae, letting me know that my tank is balanced, but it's a little much lately.

I had two lamps over the tank, but knocked it down to one. That helped but the algae growth is still too fast for my liking.

 

[sideshow201]

What type of lighting is it? What type of bulb? Duration on during day? Near a window or light that is on a lot?

 

[stylEmon]

it's a florescent PowerGlow 40W. I keep it on for 8 hours a day, and it is not near a window. It's on from noon till 9pm.
I already trimmed about 4 hours off the cycle, and that helped a little. Cutting back to just one light made the biggest difference so far.

 

[Rbishop]

Phosphate levels? Any plants? Water change schedule and how much?

 

[stylEmon]

All my levels are where they are supposed to be. Although I don't have a phosphate kit.
I have lots of plants, and add water once every two weeks. It's about 3 gallons at a time.

 

[allaboutfish]

just a comment you should be doing weekly water changes not just adding 3 gallons of water

 

[platytudes]

So you are topping off, but not changing water? I would be removing about 30-40% every two weeks. A Python or some such will make this task much easier:
http://www.amazon.com/50-ft-Python-No-Spill/dp/B000255NXM
You just add the necessary dechlorinator all at once before it begins filling.

Water changes will help your algae greatly. Olive nerites will eat it, but cichlids may eat them.

 

[Rbishop]

What cichlids and what plants? Posting levels from a good liquid test kit helps us help you vice saying they are what they are supposed to be.

 

[platytudes]

Fast growing plants are what really suppress algae, not so much plants like Anubias and such which do not grow quickly. Najas aka guppy grass is a great choice, for example, and it can grow floating as well as rooted.

 

[jpappy789]

Agreed, any of the common floating plants are good at sucking up nutrients...which sounds like a big portion of the problem if you are only topping off a few gallons every couple weeks. I'm sure there are a lot of built up solids feeding the algae growth.