Algae growing in pool filter sand

[KINGMED]

I have a 55 gallon that is having green algae growing in the sand, I have the lights on probably about 12 or so hours a day which is probably the case, I have 1 otto and 1 bristlenose for algae eaters and a AC 110 for filtration. Also on my 29 gallon which also has an AC 110 the sand seems to accumulate fish crap within a few hours after syphoning out the tank water which I do aprox. 30-40 per cent every 4-5 days. In this tank I have 1 bristlenose, 1 spotted raphael, 1 female betta, 1 medium angelfish and 2 black skirt tetras. Do the raphael or bristlenose produce that much crap?, I don't notice hardly any at all in the 55 gallon, I was concerned since the plastic tube (elbow)that comes from the filter over the tank where the attachments hook to seems to have a minute crack would this mess up the suction and if so how can I get anyother one or fix it, there's no bubbles in this area around the tube or it don't seem to be leaking. Or could it be that the filter needs to be cleaned better? THANKS.

[Northernguy]

Yes Plecos are very heavy *hitters.What are you feeding them?
If you were to use NLS foods it help on the mess.They won't poop as much with really good quality food.
That cracked elbow will lose suction over time.Use a little Aquarium silicone to repair the outside of it.
Do you have any direct sunlight hitting the tank.That will contribute to the algae.
Try only ten hours of light a day for a while and see if that helps.
What type of lighting do you have?
I rinse out my filters every other w/c.

[btate617]

over feeding is also a contributor to Algae growth. Cut back on feeding and you will eventually starve out the algae.
For your POO problem.... all cats are big waste machines.

Brian

[Northernguy]

Thanks Brian! I did forget to mention that point.:22:
With the better foods you do not have to feed as much!

[Naturestee]

Also, maybe critters that move the sand around a lot would help? Cories love to play in sand. Or you can get MTS provided that you are careful about not overfeeding, otherwise you'll have a snail explosion.

Like the others said, decrease the lighting. And do you have any live plants? They would compete with the algae for nutrients if they're fast growing. Hornwort is great for that.

[KINGMED]

I try not to feed but every other day and I have 2 large clumps of java moss growing in the tank. I'll cut back on the food and light, I also have 2 weather loaches and 3 small albino cory's for bottom dwellers. For the poo problems any suggestions on how I can stir it up from the bottom so the filter can suck it up?, I think it's weird that the only difference in my 55 and 29 is that I have a spotted raphael in my 29 which never comes out always stays attached to the underside of one of the small mopani drift woods, both have an angelfish in them. I just think it's weird how that two different tanks with the same or close to the same fish in them can have different problems. Neither is close to a window, both have the lights on about the same and I also feed about the same when they are fed. I am wondering if the AC 110 isn't doing it's job very well, I don't mind sucking or cleaning out the poo every so often it just looks terrible on top of the sand. I was wondering if a power filter would help bring the poo up so the intake of the AC could get to it better, would this help? Also thanks you all for your help.

[Fishalicious]

algae that grows on sand is usually blue-green algae :11: so probably cyanobacteria... does it have little air bubbles in it? is it a really bright green? if you rub it between your fingers does it smell bad?

if all else fails post a pic of the lovely green stuff .... need to know what algae it is to know how to fight it but if it is a recently cycled tank then blue-green algae is common.

[rageybug]

Less food and less light.