How do I have a brightly-lit tank without algae?
 

Hello,

I have a 220 litre (24" cube) Malawi cichlid tank (see
http://fish.alansilver.co.uk/Mark3/G...fault.asp?img=
tank_040217_01.jpg for an out-of-date picture) that is suffering from a
green algae problem.

I'm fairly certain that the problem is caused by the amount and/or type
of lights. The tank has two 24" fluorescent lights, one white and one
blue, plus three 40 watt halogen spotlights. This is all because the
tank is in a corner away from any natural light and we want to be able
to see the fish!!

Anyway, the tank is fairly covered in very short hairy green algae. I
have to clean the glass at least once a week, or it gets too mucky to
see inside. The background is quite covered in algae as well. This isn't
too terrible as it looks more natural, but it does make the tank dark.

So, any suggestions? I know I could cut down on the amount of light, but
I want to keep it bright. Would different types of lights help? If so,
what?

I have an Ancistrus bristlenose catfish in there and it is pretty busy,
but it doesn't seem to be able to keep up with the algae growth. I
wondered about adding another, or even a Plec, but I don't know if that
would be the answer.

Any suggestions greatly welcome. TIA.

--
Alan Silver
(anything added below this line is nothing to do with me)

"Alan Silver" wrote in message
...
snip that is suffering from a
green algae problem.
snip
Any suggestions greatly welcome. TIA.


First thing to do is cut down on the amount of time the light is on. Have
the lights turn on later in the day, and off earlier. More frequent water
changes will reduce the amount of nitrates in the tank which will help with
algae growth. Being that's it's a Mbuna tank, (which is too small IMO, but I
covered that a few months ago) adding fish or shrimp that eat hair algae
probably isn't an option. Plus, adding more to the tank can add to the
problem with a higher bio-load.
Test the phosphate levels in the tank. You can buy filter material that
removes phosphates if you have phosphates in the tank. Phosphates are a big
contributor to hair algae. Hair algae is difficult to get rid of and off
requires removing it by hand. Don't wipe it down and let it float off into
the tank, else it will eventuall reattach or send off pieces to grow
elsewhere. It needs to be removed. ;-)
Not real enlightening, but it's all I've got.
Tim
www.fishaholics.org

Tim,

Thanks for the reply. I have already cut down the lighting hours, so
that's not really an option. I do pretty regular water changes too and
the water quality is good. I haven't tested for phosphates though, so
that could be an option.

I don't know if this is hair algae as it's very short. I thought hair
algae tended to be longer, like hair (!!).

Would the type of lighting be a factor? I am thinking of changing the
halogen lights for fluorescents anyway as the halogens produce too much
heat. Would this help the algae problem?

Thanks again.

alan

First thing to do is cut down on the amount of time the light is on. Have
the lights turn on later in the day, and off earlier. More frequent water
changes will reduce the amount of nitrates in the tank which will help with
algae growth. Being that's it's a Mbuna tank, (which is too small IMO, but I
covered that a few months ago) adding fish or shrimp that eat hair algae
probably isn't an option. Plus, adding more to the tank can add to the
problem with a higher bio-load.
Test the phosphate levels in the tank. You can buy filter material that
removes phosphates if you have phosphates in the tank. Phosphates are a big
contributor to hair algae. Hair algae is difficult to get rid of and off
requires removing it by hand. Don't wipe it down and let it float off into
the tank, else it will eventuall reattach or send off pieces to grow
elsewhere. It needs to be removed. ;-)
Not real enlightening, but it's all I've got.
Tim
www.fishaholics.org



--
Alan Silver
(anything added below this line is nothing to do with me)

On Thu, 5 May 2005 14:42:29 +0100, Alan Silver
wrote:

Would the type of lighting be a factor? I am thinking of changing the
halogen lights for fluorescents anyway as the halogens produce too much
heat. Would this help the algae problem?

My halogen spots don't cause a problem. They are on for about 16 hours
a day. I don't use fluorescent lights. Maybe they are your problem.

Steve

Would the type of lighting be a factor? I am thinking of changing the
halogen lights for fluorescents anyway as the halogens produce too much
heat. Would this help the algae problem?

My halogen spots don't cause a problem. They are on for about 16 hours
a day. I don't use fluorescent lights. Maybe they are your problem.

Dunno, fluorescents are the standard for fish tanks, they aren't
generally known for causing algae problems.

Maybe I'll have to add a Plec and see if that helps. They are supposed
to be good algae eaters.

--
Alan Silver
(anything added below this line is nothing to do with me)

On Thu, 5 May 2005 16:41:23 +0100, Alan Silver
wrote:

Would the type of lighting be a factor? I am thinking of changing the
halogen lights for fluorescents anyway as the halogens produce too much
heat. Would this help the algae problem?

My halogen spots don't cause a problem. They are on for about 16 hours
a day. I don't use fluorescent lights. Maybe they are your problem.

Dunno, fluorescents are the standard for fish tanks, they aren't
generally known for causing algae problems.


"Standard" or not, try using just the halogens for a while. If the
algae starts to fade away don't forget that dead algae can also be a
problem so keep it cleared out.

Maybe I'll have to add a Plec and see if that helps. They are supposed
to be good algae eaters.

Plecs are not as good at algae clearing as bristlenose and you already
have one of them. Get another one. If you get a pair they will breed.
OTOH Plecs will never breed in a tank.

BTW what sort of Malawi cichlids are they? Most of the common Mbuna
eat algae, especially if no easier food is supplied. If they have
other food they won't eat the algae - why scrape rocks when flakes are
around. Mbuna fed on algae turn on their best colours.


--
Steve Wolstenholme Neural Planner Software

EasyNN-plus. The easy way to build neural networks.
http://www.easynn.com

"Alan Silver" wrote in message
...
Would the type of lighting be a factor? I am thinking of changing the
halogen lights for fluorescents anyway as the halogens produce too much
heat. Would this help the algae problem?

My halogen spots don't cause a problem. They are on for about 16 hours
a day. I don't use fluorescent lights. Maybe they are your problem.

Dunno, fluorescents are the standard for fish tanks, they aren't
generally known for causing algae problems.

Maybe I'll have to add a Plec and see if that helps. They are supposed
to be good algae eaters.

--
Alan Silver
(anything added below this line is nothing to do with me)

I've got the same problem as you in my Malawi tank...it's a bit like a green
carpet on the rocks and substrate. It's not slimy or anything so does seem a
little bit like hair algae - it's a very bright green. The front of the tank
needs doing a couple of times a week. Ammonia is 0, nitrite 0 and nitrate
around 10. Of course there are only a couple of plants. Do a 10-20% water
change each week.

I've got a Pl*co but although he is working on the back of the tank the job
seems to be beyond him.....

I'm wondering if it is Phosphate level after reading Tim's posting (thanks
Tim)

I'll continue following this thread. Please let me know how you get on

Gill

I've got the same problem as you in my Malawi tank...it's a bit like a green
carpet on the rocks and substrate. It's not slimy or anything so does seem a
little bit like hair algae - it's a very bright green.

Mine's quite a dark green, but like your's it's furry, not slimy. Mine's
more in patches than a carpet.

I actually don't mind it too much, it's just that it makes the tank look
too dark.

I've got a Pl*co but although he is working on the back of the tank the job
seems to be beyond him.....

Sounds like my bristlenose!!

I'm wondering if it is Phosphate level after reading Tim's posting (thanks
Tim)

Me too, I might see how much the filters are.

I'll continue following this thread. Please let me know how you get on

You too ;-)

--
Alan Silver
(anything added below this line is nothing to do with me)

Would the type of lighting be a factor? I am thinking of changing the
halogen lights for fluorescents anyway as the halogens produce too much
heat. Would this help the algae problem?

My halogen spots don't cause a problem. They are on for about 16 hours
a day. I don't use fluorescent lights. Maybe they are your problem.

Dunno, fluorescents are the standard for fish tanks, they aren't
generally known for causing algae problems.

"Standard" or not, try using just the halogens for a while. If the
algae starts to fade away don't forget that dead algae can also be a
problem so keep it cleared out.

Can't harm to try I suppose. I don't know how long it would take before
I would expect to see a difference though. I know algae grows pretty
quickly, how quickly is it likely to fade away if the fluoros are the
problem?

Maybe I'll have to add a Plec and see if that helps. They are supposed
to be good algae eaters.

Plecs are not as good at algae clearing as bristlenose and you already
have one of them. Get another one. If you get a pair they will breed.
OTOH Plecs will never breed in a tank.

Baby bristlenoses? That sounds like fun!! Trouble is, I have no idea
whether mine is a boy or girl, and catching him wouldn't be easy. Still,
I might do some research and see if I can find out how to tell the
difference.

BTW what sort of Malawi cichlids are they? Most of the common Mbuna
eat algae, especially if no easier food is supplied. If they have
other food they won't eat the algae - why scrape rocks when flakes are
around. Mbuna fed on algae turn on their best colours.

Mine do scrape at the algae a bit, but not a huge amount. Maybe if it
were longer they might, but as I said, it's very short.

Thanks for the reply.

--
Alan Silver
(anything added below this line is nothing to do with me)

On Thu, 5 May 2005 19:48:29 +0100, Alan Silver
wrote:


Baby bristlenoses? That sounds like fun!! Trouble is, I have no idea
whether mine is a boy or girl, and catching him wouldn't be easy. Still,
I might do some research and see if I can find out how to tell the
difference.

Mature males (4" +) have long bristles. Females just stubs.


BTW what sort of Malawi cichlids are they? Most of the common Mbuna
eat algae, especially if no easier food is supplied. If they have
other food they won't eat the algae - why scrape rocks when flakes are
around. Mbuna fed on algae turn on their best colours.

Mine do scrape at the algae a bit, but not a huge amount. Maybe if it
were longer they might, but as I said, it's very short.

It's the short algae they like. Leave them without food for a few days
and see what happens. 90% of Mbuna are algae eaters.


--
Steve Wolstenholme Neural Planner Software

EasyNN-plus. The easy way to build neural networks.
http://www.easynn.com