Help with algae?

[Dreamroper]

My BF has a 125 gal c
African Cichild tank that he put new lights in. The light has 4 T-5 HO and then the night light. He's getting green algae in his tank which he's never had before. He's running only 1 light during the day, and the blue LEDs at night for most of the night.

Can you make any suggestions? Are Mystery Snails an option in a cichlid tank?

Thanks-D

 

[aquarium_Guru]

I just use the magnet cleaner to scrape the algae off the glass

 

[Mattyfelts]

I never reccommend snails, they arent a miracle cure. What the problem could be is either :

a. extra nutrients in the water (from food, poop, anything)
b. to much light, not sure what the night light would add but you should only run daylights for 6-8 hours i believe, if im wrong im sure rivercats or another member will correct me.
c. non-regular water changes( not weekly, so you have extra nutrients)

Either way, a good fix is H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) which you can spray on affected areas. I personally didn't find much luck in it for my GSA. If possible you could take the rocks out and scrub them with a new toothbrush.

Maybe some pictures so we can ID what algae this is

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Scrape off the current algae, then do a water change and turn the lights down. This will get rid off it and prevent it from coming back. If you want a pleco that can with stand the cichlids and eat the algae get a rhino pleco. I've never had reverse osmosis clean algae out of my tank. But only get one of you guys like them, they aren't a fix just a little help and you get a cool fish. They do get big but not to big for your tank. Mines in my 125 and they max out at 9" or so

 

[Dreamroper]

Thanks for your responses. He does have a Pleco and will leave the lights off more. It's just green algae on the glass, and again-he's never seen it before and has had the tank up since June.

 

[toddnbecka]

A bristlenose pleco will keep the glass clean, but a common pleco is worthless for eating algae.

 

[croatian2]

I use Chinese algae eaters int tank and they work great!

 

[Mattyfelts]

I use Chinese algae eaters int tank and they work great!

That is a good idea so long as the cichlids dont kill them.