Stupid Algae

Do yo uhave stray light coming into the tank, like from a nearby window? I had a HUGE black algae problem in my tank, once I put black backing around the sides and back of the tank, it started to die off. The nitrate and phosphate levels are probably reading 0 becasue the algae is absorbing them. Are you using bought RO/DI water or making it yourself? When I start seeing algae growth, I use a TDS meter to read my water, to see if the readings are high before I continue using that water.. Usually the growth means my TDS membrane needs to be replaced. A TDS meter is a great investment. Even store bought water can be "bad." We are all human and even our LFS can forget to change the filter cartridges in their RO systems.

 

I had my girfriend make a black drape that wraps the tank when I am not home, so stray light is not an issue, but it could be my water, I do use my own RO/DI water but I have not tested the system is about 5 months old, and I am unsure on which filters to replace and how to know.

 

5 months should still be ok. I replace my carbon, sediment, membrane and DI filters about once a year, or 500 gallons. To test the filtered water, you will need a TDS meter, which are about $20, it will tell you that the total disolved substances are in the water, you want it as close to zero as you can. I also covered the side of my tank with limo tint, but it still didn't stop algae growth. I would think the same would be true for the drape. Even though it is black, light will still enter the tank since the fabric is not 100% opaque. After I put on black opaque tank background on the side and back of my tank, my algae problem went away. Another possibility is the lighting spectrum of the bulbs have have shifted enough to cause algae growth?

 

I guess anything is possible, I am going to keep everything stable for a few weeks here and see what happens. If I am still having the same issues I will change one thing at a time, I don't want to throw the whole tank off on accident Thanks for the help!

 

Absolutely. The one thing I have learned in this hobby is really "leave the tank alone or it will crash." I would really suggest looking into either painting the sides and back opaque, or putting aquarium background on it to block out all light. The way to kill algae is to starve it, eliminate phisphates and light, then bye bye. Since it's external, the worst that can happen is it stays the same. At least the tank will look nice with the colored backing.

 

I tried putting my black drape on the back this morning, and it didn't seem to do much of a difference because the whole back wall is pretty much covered with coralline, but I do like the look of tanks with black backgrounds. I think I may have been over feeding a bit after poking around on the internet. It's just so hard to say, I'm also trying to devise a plan to setup a spot for macro in my sump, just no damn room.