Can't get rid of algae bloom

[mjs61290]

Hey all.

I have a five-month old 75-gallon freshwater tank. It has several live plants and about 35 fish (all small schoolers).

A little over a month ago, an algae bloom formed in my tank and I have been unable to get rid of it.

I have tried everything from massive water changes, to changing 25-30 percent of the water every three days, to keeping the lights off several days (which I can't really do too much because of the plants), to cleaning out the filter, to cutting down on feeding and to adding a protein skimmer for more flow.

Nothing has worked.

What's left to do?

Should I just stuff it with live plants so they consume all of nutrients that the algae feed on?

Should I just stay with doing small water changes every few days?

Is it going to go away on its own?

It's maddening!

 

[Laeris]

Jar it and sell it as fry food! There are many contributing factors for algae from overfeeding to having lights on too long. What's your tanks current schedule?

 

[mjs61290]

Jar it and sell it as fry food! There are many contributing factors for algae from overfeeding to having lights on too long. What's your tanks current schedule?

Well now I feed the fish pellets in the morning and that's it. Been doing that for about a month (I used to feed twice a day).

As far as the lights, they are generally on from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

 

[Canadiver]

I had the same problem on and off for quite sometime then discovered when the nutrients that I feed the plants get outa whack or not used in correct dosing was the main cause of algae in my tank. I have an 80 gal and found by adding 12.5 mL potassium, 7.5 mL iron, 2.5 nitrogen, 1mL phosphorus twice a week and 30-40% water change once per week. Have lights on no more then 8 hrs any longer algae and feed fish once per day, just what they can eat in 3 min or less. Since I have been following this regiment algae problems have just disappeared.

Not saying this will fix yours but it is a good start, our tanks are close to same capacity. You may have to add or subtract nutrients depending on results. I know my iron had to be increased as the plants grew larger. I notice the leaves on my swords getting clear, the plant was eating itself do to lack of iron.


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[ImACoolguy]

Do you have a picture of the algae? There's many types and depending on type it can help determine your issue


Caleb