Algae On Glass

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.

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.

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.

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?

What sort of algae is it? Like green dust or green spots? Different types of algae indicate an excess of different things.

Can you get a pic of the algae for us...I'm wondering if it's diatoms rather than algae.

El Bandito the axolotl is checking to see if we can post pics.

Here is pic of algae.

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.