Algae in my tank

[Duddits]

I have a 55g tank with 2 giant danios and 5 2" African cichlids. Tank is set up with a 75g wet/dry filter, 1 power sweep power head, sand, 5-6 large rocks and a few artificial plants. I have a pc light 4x45 with moon lights. The fish are fed twice a day. Flakes in the morning and frozen at night. The lights are on from 9-9. I have brown algae that grows in the sand and on the glass. How to I stop it? Are the lights too strong for a cichlid tank? I see the same set up in others tanks and their water is crystal clear and the sand is bright white. How do I keep mine like that?

 

[OBEYtheFISH]

What are your water params?
Any direct sunlight?

 

[Bbush]

I read that having the timer cut off the lights for a couple hours during the day would break up the algae growth cycle. Also, I just bought one of those magnet glass cleaners. It is a bit of a pain but works like a charm.

 

[Duddits]

Oh is 8.0, 0 nitrates and nitrites, temp is at 78. Not sure of the hardness of the water though. Fish are thriving and happy though

 

[Duddits]

I read that having the timer cut off the lights for a couple hours during the day would break up the algae growth cycle. Also, I just bought one of those magnet glass cleaners. It is a bit of a pain but works like a charm.

I use a magfloat and that's fine for the glass. My trouble is the brown algae in the sand

 

[OBEYtheFISH]

Oh is 8.0, 0 nitrates and nitrites, temp is at 78. Not sure of the hardness of the water though. Fish are thriving and happy though

What's at 8?
Nitrates are 0?

 

[Duddits]

Sorry my ph

 

[joel618]

What's at 8?
Nitrates are 0?

I would assume the ph is 8. I have the same problem. My lights are on a couple hours a day and my params are good. I started liking it after a while. I scrape the glass but leave it on the deco. Africans will graze on it so i left it for them. I figure it is closer to what they have to eat in nature.

 

[OBEYtheFISH]

There should be a reading of nitrate