55 Gallon Tank with Algae

[pisces07]

Help 55 Gallon tank keeps getting Algae and i think it keeps cycling. Set up tank on Dec 25, 2010
I have
3 Gold Gouramis
4 African Cichlids
1 Pelco
Lost a African Cichlid yesterday

Ammonia 0
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 0
GH 75
KH 180
PH 7.8

The algae is in the water only green water.

 

[Bettababe1011]

Did you do a fishless cycle before? If not, then you are cycling with fish right now. If you can't take the fish back, then you're looking at a water change at least once a day.

 

[pisces07]

No i cycled with fish

 

[Bettababe1011]

What are your water parameters? Exact please.

 

[EndlersEatGuppies]

if u r not overstocked get 2 algae eaters. they will help ALOT

 

[Coleallensmom]

Can you tell us what your water parameters are?
Ammonia?
Nitrite?
Nitrate?

If you don't have one, get yourself a good water test kit as soon as possible. Keep in mind that Liquid test kits (a popular brand is API) are more reliable then test strips and most chain pet stores like Petco and Petsmart carry them. Having your own test kit is very important because they enable you to test your water as you are going through the cycling process.

What does the algae look like? Diatoms or brown algae is very common when an aquarium is cycling or newly cycled and should go away with time. If they become bothersome, you can try to remove them by hand. They often rub off easily.

 

[Amicus]

I do know that of course a pleco will really help to at least keep the algae under control until you figure it out and then you can keep it too. Just don't get a common one, a good cheap one that is cool and do what you need is the good old Bristle Nose. You could also consider a Flying Fox, never had one but been told they do a great job without the pleco bioload, just make sure you cover any openings in you lid. Finally, I know that ghost shrimp do an exceptional job at eating anything and everything in a tank. You need to keep the shrimp in a group of maybe 4 or more as they do better knowing their duddies are beside them. Cherry shrimp are also a good option, much smaller but same concept. The posts above are correct, for the heck of it I would get a simple phosphate test kit. If they are high then they are most likely the culprits. Just a few suggestions.

 

[pisces07]

Can you tell us what your water parameters are?
Ammonia?
Nitrite?
Nitrate?

If you don't have one, get yourself a good water test kit as soon as possible. Keep in mind that Liquid test kits (a popular brand is API) are more reliable then test strips and most chain pet stores like Petco and Petsmart carry them. Having your own test kit is very important because they enable you to test your water as you are going through the cycling process.

What does the algae look like? Diatoms or brown algae is very common when an aquarium is cycling or newly cycled and should go away with time. If they become bothersome, you can try to remove them by hand. They often rub off easily.

Treating algae with Algae Destroyer Advanced

Ammonia 0
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 0
GH 75
KH 180
PH 7.8

 

[Bettababe1011]

Is the tank in an area that gets a lot of sun? How long are the tank lights on each day?

 

[mellowyellow]

I had the same problem with my freshwater tank. I gave it up and I'm sticking with saltwater. I tried just about everything but to no avail. Good luck. I wish I had an answer for you.

 

[pisces07]

Is the tank in an area that gets a lot of sun? How long are the tank lights on each day?

The tank gets no sun and I have lights on 7 to 8 hours per day.

 

[EndlersEatGuppies]

The tank gets no sun and I have lights on 7 to 8 hours per day.

same hear thats exactly what i do and i have no algae.

what is the temp of your house do u have a heater if so what temp is it on

 

[Bettababe1011]

Okay. I'm not sure what's causing that algae then. I have my lights on about the same amount as you and have no algae whatsoever.

 

[Bettababe1011]

Also, are you using the strips or a good liquid test kit? The strips are notorious for giving a reading on the low side of the real amount. If that's the case, then it could be that you have high nitrates that the algae love.

 

[Coleallensmom]

Treating algae with Algae Destroyer Advanced

Ammonia 0
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 0
GH 75
KH 180
PH 7.8

Algae really only need a few things to thrive, most importantly nutrients and light. Make sure you are not overfeeding your fish as you will also be feeding the algae; Uneaten food means there are extra nutrients in the water. It also means that your fish are eating more and creating more waste to fertilize the algae. Keep up regular water changes...PWCs slow down nutrient and nitrate accumulation in your tank which means less for your algae to feed on. If your filter is underpowered for your tank, seriously consider upgrading. Good filtration is important!

Also, what type of lighting do you have on the tank and how many hours per day to you run your fixture? (Edited to say that I see the hours question has ben answered while I was typing!) Make sure your aquarium is not placed in sunlight (I see the reflection of a window in your one photo?!). Excessive light will fuel algae.

Your water parameters look great at the moment however, be careful with using chemicals to solve your issues; sometimes they cause even more issues and do not fix the ones you already have. I'd recommend you instead look at using filter media to help combat the algae. There are many different types of media available that help remove phosphates, silicates, and organic compounds that algae feed off of which in turn can help clear your water.

 

[Amicus]

OK, I consulted my mentor and he does not think its nitrites. I think that you should start treatment with PhosBan. What are the units of measurement your kit uses, ppm? If so the nitrates are high but not too much. I would start the phosban and see if that helps. I would also perform 40 - 50% water changes every other day, if not 30% every day.

 

[Amicus]

One more thing, your tap might be high in phosphorus and some municipalities use it to tame copper in their water. The best advice I have found is phosban and large, frequent water changes.

 

[fort384]

Agree with Amicus. I was going to suggest PO4 as the next possible cause.

I would consider picking up a PO4 test kit.

I also would do a total black out on the tank for about 4 days. No lights, and cover it with black plastic.

I would not recommend adding any more algaecides to the tank for now.

If your PO4 is high (out of the tap or in the tank) some kind of chemical filtration of PO4 may become necessary.

Other possible solutions: UV sterilizer (expensive), and you can try some seachem purigen. It works miracles for polishing water (I would do the blackout first...).

 

[Coleallensmom]

Agree with Amicus. I was going to suggest PO4 as the next possible cause.

I would consider picking up a PO4 test kit.

I also would do a total black out on the tank for about 4 days. No lights, and cover it with black plastic.

I would not recommend adding any more algaecides to the tank for now.

If your PO4 is high (out of the tap or in the tank) some kind of chemical filtration of PO4 may become necessary.

Other possible solutions: UV sterilizer (expensive), and you can try some seachem purigen. It works miracles for polishing water (I would do the blackout first...).

I too was thinking of Purigen. I've had no algae to speak of since I started using it in my 37 gal.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Call me old school, but proper tank maintenance IMO beats chemicals every time. Not knocking anybody on the phosban or purigen idea, but those are simply bandaids for the real problem IMHO.

First, feeding. Overfeeding is quite possibly the absolute easiest way to establish a healthy algae farm like you've got there. How often are you feeding? Any more then once every other day is overfeeding IMO. Each time you feed, how much are you feeding?

Second, lighting. What kind of lighting do you have over this tank? Is it the factory lighting? I've seen a lot of studies that show old bulbs tend to cause algae... not sure how valid that statement is, but how old are the bulbs?

Third, water changes. How often and how much are you changing? IMO, less than once a week isn't cutting it. Again, thats my opinion. Many people do ok doing them every other week, but I think they should be done at least once weekly even if the test doesn't indicate a need.

Now... This is only my experience. I have NEVER had an issue with algae (except some BBA and Hair algae in my planted tanks, but that was because I wasn't dosing co2/ferts...under control)... I always do a 50% water change every week, I feed every other day, sometimes once every 3 days. Lights only came on when I wanted to see the fish. Ambient light from the room provided plenty for the fish to see.

I do agree with fort that a blackout is a good idea. Do a 50% pwc, cover the tank up with a blanket so that no light gets in. Don't look in the tank for 5 days. Don't ahve the light on. Do a 50% pwc when you take the blanket off. I guarantee you that your tank looks 100 times better after that. But, if you don't change something (maintenance, feeding, whatever the issue is) it'll just happen again.