Ok, I need help with an algea problem

Ive started to get an algea bloom in my tank. Its growing all over my substrait and plants and my lovely sucker fish just isnt doing anything about it. Ive tried some chemicals with no results and also Aquarium Salt, but also with no help. What are some of my options. Oh, and what ever I get has to be cichlid friendly. Help Please.

 

Sounds like this is a freshwater tank correct?

Do you have any live plants in the tank? If not decrease the lighting on the tank, or put some live plants into the tank.

Kim

 

yep its freshwater and I have about a dozen live plants in the tank but it doesnt seem to be helping out, in fact the algea is growing all over the plants as well. I clean the filter about once every two weeks but this algea is starting to get a little annoying.

 

Hmmm...that's interesting. Live plants, routinely changed filter, and yet you have algae? What type of water do you use in the tank? I'm not sure if phosphates effect freshy algae or not, but they sure effect salt. So that might be something to look in to.

 

yeah this whole problem sucks but damage control always is. what about a different kind of algae eater. Ive got to get rid of my sucker fish anyways, He's eating my plants, so what about those chinese algae eaters. would that help?

 

the chinese algea eaters have a tendency to pester other fish, especially larger bodied ones like cichlids - the sucking fish you have now? if they are plecostomus some of these tend to specialise in feeding off certain surfaces - I have a royal plec and he/ she tends to stay close to the bogwood decor and rasps on that all day every day, hardy ever touches the glass etc (I feed with algae chips to supplement)

the sailfin variety of plecostomus in either the brown or albino colourations do tend to spend more time on glass, plants, rockwork etc

Check Nitrate levels? as high nitrates can worsen algae problems

 

yep its a plec. and it just hangs out under my driftwood centerpiece all day, hardly ever moves. Ive been thinking about getting a catfish of some sort, I hear they can be good for algae. This problem probably wouldnt be so noticable if i didnt have white rock.

 

Could it have anything to do with how old your light fixture is? I know with saltwater, older bulbs start to fall in the red spectrum and boom, algae blooms.

 

Its funny you should mention that, the algae started not too long after I got a new lighting fixture for the tank. Its new but has an actinic bulb in it. Ive heard they help with plant development, maybe thats helping the algae a little too.

 

I raised Convicts for many years, although I have a saltwater tank now.

Likely problems:
1. Too much light. Did you recently upgrade your lighting? Freshwater tanks rarely need the high wattage of saltwater tanks. Are you keeping the lights on for more than 12 hours per day? Don't do that.
2. Overfeeding. Feeding too much food and feeding too often. Once per day, and no more than the fish will finish in 5 minutes.
3. Tank chemistry. check your pH. Also, some changes will encourage algae growth, such as using treated tap water -- especially if you have hard water.

Most plecostomus are nocturnal, you won't see them at work except for the Chinese algae eater.