Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => General Fishkeeping advice => Topic started by: barneyadi on May 24, 2018, 01:14:57 PM
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Hi guys
Although doing weekly water changes etc I am getting algae on the glass. Is there and fish that would eat it?
Dave
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I don’t suggest getting a fish just to clean up algae, any algae eater would still need to be fed supplementally. Maybe look at snails or other inverts, they tend to be low maintenance and very effective as a clean up crew.
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How long has the tank been set up Dave...?
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Set up about 5 months. No sooner do I clean the glass that algae starts to appear again so was wondering if a certain type of fish might help keep it down.
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Best starting point Dave is to try and identify the cause first and address that... Things to look at would be how much light the tank gets and how much food the fish are fed... If either of these are slightly excessive, then you have a starting point to go at...
Double edged sword though too... and having a clean up crew would definitely help, especially snails & Amano shrimp... However, they won't stop the algae from appearing, only contribute to keeping levels down a bit...
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Does the tank get any sunlight through the glass during the day ? This will contribute to the algae growth on the glass. Nerite snails and Otocinclus are good at removing algae from the glass but you’ll still need to address the cause of the profuse growth in the long run.
Do you have a lot of plants ? Increasing planting levels will rob the algae of nutrients and stem growth.
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Well don't have plants, just plastic/silk ones. Tank doesn't get sunlight. Have lights on 6 hours a day. Could be a overfeeding issue although food is eaten very quickly. Will feed every other day and see if things improve.
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Although changing feeding has helped, still getting algae. I read somewhere about a plant that goes on the top of the water that helps with algae control, think it begins with 'W'. Does anyone know what it is?
I suppose other question could be, I have plastic /silk plants at moment with a fine sand bottom. How easy would it be to change to a planted tank?
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You could also try reducing the amount of time that you have the lights on, that should help.
Water sprite can be used as a floating plant
http://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/ceratopteris-thalicroides-aka-water-sprite-1408-p.asp
Is that the one you were thinking of?
As for changing to a planted tank, you could use root tabs in your sand for live plants. If you want to move towards live plants there are some lovely ones, but the floating plants may be quite an easy option for now.
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What sort of algae is it? Like green dust or green spots? Different types of algae indicate an excess of different things.
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Think it is the Water Sprite, will get some and see if that helps. I have the lights on about 6 hours a day, should I cut it back to 4?
The algae is brownish if that helps.
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Can you get a pic of the algae for us...I'm wondering if it's diatoms rather than algae.
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Cant seem to post a picture, any ideas anyone? File is right size and type per conditions.
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El Bandito the axolotl is checking to see if we can post pics.
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El Bandito is soooooooo cute and inquisitive-looking.
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Here is pic of algae.
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How long has your tank been set up? I don't what others think, but I think it looks like diatoms from that photo.
Which means it should sort itself out and disappear soon.
(I've just seen that you've had your tank 5 months, so it should be in the next few months)
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I agree with Helen. The 'algae' looks brown in the photo, and diatoms are brown. They grow particularly well when there is ammonia in the water and there is a fair amount of light, which is why it is common in new tanks whichever method of cycling is used.
You asked about live plants earlier in the thread. You don't have to grow plants rooted in the substrate, there are a number of plants that can be grown attached to decor. That's the only kind of plants I have. Plants like java fern (standard, windelov, trident, narrow leaf), several species of anubias, several species of bucephalandra, and Bolbitis. All these will attach to wood, rocks and plastic ornaments, though they have to be tied on till they cling by themselves. Hornwort can be grown with the stems twisted round decor to weight it down.
Floating plants are useful in a tank because not only do they use a lot of ammonia as fertiliser, they also provide cover for the fish. All the fish that come from streams and rivers where there is overhanging foliage need some sort of cover above their heads and floating plants are the best way to provide this.