Algae issue/question

[rwilson24]

Hello!

A little background, I moved 6 weeks ago, and upgraded my tank from a 90 corner to a 120g.

The 120 had the same filter/decor/etc. All that has been added is 7 new plates, on top of the 1 blood parrot, 2 rainbow cichlids, 3 green severums and 4 nerite snails.

However, ever since I have gotten this new tank, which has no direct light, I seem to be having excess green algae growth. Ammonia and Nitrites are 0, and nitrates are around 10/20.

Anyone have any idea why or what I can do, besides scraping the glass and water changes?

Also, is my stocking too heavy?

Thanks!

[Autumnsky]

What are you feeding the fish?

[rwilson24]

Flake and cichlid pellets, the same food I have been feeding for years.

[Autumnsky]

Did you get new substrate or wash it with untreated water? Change filters or filter media?

Sometimes a change like a move throws off the balance.

[rwilson24]

The only new item were a few fake plants and a new light fixture.

I did have some issues with clarity of the water when I first moved, and was doing multiple water changes, as I Thought it was a slight mini cycle, but that seems to have sorted itself out. It is just this algae problem now.

[Aiken Drum]

How long is the light on for? Is it overpowered for the tank?

[rwilson24]

This is the light, it is on about 8 hours/day.

We currently have it on the blue setting

[Autumnsky]

Originally Posted by rwilson24

This is the light, it is on about 8 hours/day.

We currently have it on the blue setting

Didn't see a link, try it again.

[rwilson24]

Oops, sorry. Here is the link:

https://www.amazon.ca/NICREW-Saltwat...d_bap_d_rp_1_i

[Aiken Drum]

Your issue could be that a marine light could be way too powerful for a freshwater aquarium. Is it planted? Could be an issue with too powerful a light and not enough plants removing nutrients with the imbalances causing algae growth.

[rwilson24]

Originally Posted by Aiken Drum

Your issue could be that a marine light could be way too powerful for a freshwater aquarium. Is it planted? Could be an issue with too powerful a light and not enough plants removing nutrients with the imbalances causing algae growth.

Oh I never thought of that! Thank you!

[rwilson24]

Is there any way to adjust this so it would work?

All lights I seem to be finding on Amazon are for planted tanks, which I imagine would cause the same issue.

[Aiken Drum]

Originally Posted by rwilson24

Is there any way to adjust this so it would work?

All lights I seem to be finding on Amazon are for planted tanks, which I imagine would cause the same issue.

Im not familiar with that particular light fitting, but reading the specs i dont think the light output is programmable. I presume you could programme the timer so the lighting period is shorter. Turning the light off midway through the lighting period for an hour or so is commonly done to combat algae.

I understand that excess blue light is a common cause of algae in freshwater set ups and a marine light gives out tonnes of blue spectrum light even on the white light set up (look at the light spectrum graph in your link).

I keep low tech planted tanks, so my lights arent specialised planted tank lights. I like Fluval Aquasky. This light is fully programmable, both the lighting period and light intensity are fully adjustable. Honestly the visual difference between 100% output and 25% output is hardly noticable to the eye, but probably a major difference to plant photosynthesis and algae growth. Perhaps a fitting which can be adjusted to low output will still allow you enjoy your tank but not give out enough light to cause algae issues.

First off though try a thorough clean, water change, and cutting the lighting period of your light from 8 to 6 hours to see if that keeps the algae away.

[rwilson24]

Thank you!

I will try that.

It has a red/green/blue setting as well, but perhaps as its marine, that still is too much blue.

I will reduce the light and hope it helps. I just did a big clean and water change yesterday.

Thank you

[rwilson24]

Just wondering if this light would be better and not cause algae.

I have similar in the past, and never really had issues. Sadly, this light just keeps sprouting it (I know it has only been a few days, but each day gets worse).

https://www.petsmart.ca/fish/heating...ml?cgid=300204

Thanks again!

[Aiken Drum]

Its a hood with a their standard full spectrum lamp included. Should be ok. Its all down to finding the right lighting period though.

I dont think it is a programmable fixture so it would need manually turning on and off or a socket timer. Start at 5 hours a day, go up incrementally until you find the balance of how much lighting you want and any plants need (if any) and how much algae you are prepared to deal with.

[rwilson24]

Thank you! appreciate it!

[Autumnsky]

Are there separate blue only LED lights?

I used some electrical tape and cut pieces / roughly as squares, out to block the majority of blue LED's and it helped ALOT!

[SteffeyJ]

Originally Posted by Autumnsky

Are there separate blue only LED lights?

I used some electrical tape and cut pieces / roughly as squares, out to block the majority of blue LED's and it helped ALOT!

I also did the SAME THING!!
used electric tape to cut down the lighting and it helped tremendously!!
Good luck!!