green algae on my tank again

[K. Elliot]

Does anyone know why algae has suddenly started growing in my tank
again?

Here are the specifics:
-55 gallon freshwater tank (up and running for seven months)
-No ammonia, nitrites, and minimal nitrates. 10-20% water changes
every week or so.
-Five Bleeding Heart Tetras
-One Otto ( I know, i shouldnt have just one.....but that is all i
have left at this time)
-Three YoYo botias
-One Clown Pl*co
-Driftwood & Plastic Plants

I had a really bad case of grean hair algae about a month after the
tank was set up, and now am under the impression that this was due to
the very high level of nitrites during the cycle phase....but once the
tank completely cycled the problem went away.

But now it is reappearing...not nearly as bad as before, but enough to
annoy me on a weekly basis.

I read somewhere in the aquaria group that the flourescent tubes might
cause this if they are not replaced in a timely manner.....is there
any truth to this? I have a four foot light fixture on top of the
tank with two 40 watt flouresent tubes in it.

Any info or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Kevin

[Dave S]

I'm not an expert in this subject, however I read somewhere that natural
sunlight causes this effect.

HTH - Dave

--
www.aegis.uk.com
"K. Elliot" > wrote in message
om...
> Does anyone know why algae has suddenly started growing in my tank
> again?
>
> Here are the specifics:
> -55 gallon freshwater tank (up and running for seven months)
> -No ammonia, nitrites, and minimal nitrates. 10-20% water changes
> every week or so.
> -Five Bleeding Heart Tetras
> -One Otto ( I know, i shouldnt have just one.....but that is all i
> have left at this time)
> -Three YoYo botias
> -One Clown Pl*co
> -Driftwood & Plastic Plants
>
> I had a really bad case of grean hair algae about a month after the
> tank was set up, and now am under the impression that this was due to
> the very high level of nitrites during the cycle phase....but once the
> tank completely cycled the problem went away.
>
> But now it is reappearing...not nearly as bad as before, but enough to
> annoy me on a weekly basis.
>
> I read somewhere in the aquaria group that the flourescent tubes might
> cause this if they are not replaced in a timely manner.....is there
> any truth to this? I have a four foot light fixture on top of the
> tank with two 40 watt flouresent tubes in it.
>
> Any info or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
>
> Kevin

[McEve]

"K. Elliot" > wrote in message
om...
>> I read somewhere in the aquaria group that the flourescent tubes might
> cause this if they are not replaced in a timely manner.....is there
> any truth to this? I have a four foot light fixture on top of the
> tank with two 40 watt flouresent tubes in it.


The tubes should be replaced once a year from what I've learned.

Did you check the nitrate level again now that you have this problem again?
I found that Algone is very effective in the fight against algae, I only use
it for about a week when I see that the weekly water changes aren't enough,
and it works pretty well. It's an all organic product - and no - I don't get
money for saying this :)

Nina