Need some help

[kimbo]

I have a couple of questions on an existing setup. I have a 20 gal tank that has been running for over 2 years.

When I first started the tank, I had live plants. That really didn't work out, but has left an issue that I have been dealing with. There is a growth of green grass like stuff, maybe algae? Can anyone tell me how to get rid of it? It is a pain and makes the tank look bad.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

2nd, I seem to be losing an excessive amount of water, is this normal?

Lastly, can anyone provide me with a filter recommendation? I'm currently running a Whisper 20 and it's not working well. But it may have to do with my main problem.

Thanks for your help.

[Chrona]

Wow, that is an incredible amount of hair algae. What fish do you have in there? You can try products like Algaefix, or take the rocks out and soak them in bleach, followed by dechlorinator. The whisper filters work fine imo for small tanks. The problem (it seems to me) is that the algae is clogging up everything. You need to clean out the uptake tube thoroughly, since running it with a big load on it all the time will lead to the motor burning out.

Also, I'd check on that rock. It looks very porous and possibly calcium/carbonate based. While you have it out, drop some vinegar on it and see if it fizzes at all. If so, then it's raising your pH a lot, which is bad for the tetra(s) and the clown loach you have in there.

In the long run, you want to get to the source of all that algae. Does your tank get direct sunlight? Is your phosphate level high? Do you overfeed at times? (Food rotting on bottom will release nutrients for algae) Are you using well water? (silicates are often high in well water)

[cocoa_pleco]

WOW, thats like the algae version of the amazon rainforest:1:

[cocoa_pleco]

oh, and whispers are good, but canisters are great, but i like whispers, and water loss is natural evaporation

[Lady Hobbs]

Since you had live plants, what are you using for substract? If you added substract for plants (iron) and used fertilizers (for plants) and now don't have plants, you've not been able to use up those excessive nutrients.

[kimbo]

Thanks for the quick replies, the algae probably came from the plants right?

The algae is also in the gravel, should I take all of it out too? Would it be best to try Algaefix?

What about a submersible filter? The location of the tank wouldn't allow for a canister filter. I've seen them with a powerhead attached, for better water circulation.

[kimbo]

Since you had live plants, what are you using for substract? If you added substract for plants (iron) and used fertilizers (for plants) and now don't have plants, you've not been able to use up those excessive nutrients.

Substract?

[kimbo]

What fish do you have in there?

5 neon tetra
2 flame tetra
3 other tetra
2 clown loach
1 pleco


In the long run, you want to get to the source of all that algae. Does your tank get direct sunlight? Is your phosphate level high? Do you overfeed at times? (Food rotting on bottom will release nutrients for algae) Are you using well water? (silicates are often high in well water)

Yes but it's indirect sunlight.
Possibly overfeed sometimes
No to well water

[Chrona]

Thanks for the quick replies, the algae probably came from the plants right?

The algae is also in the gravel, should I take all of it out too? Would it be best to try Algaefix?

What about a submersible filter? The location of the tank wouldn't allow for a canister filter. I've seen them with a powerhead attached, for better water circulation.

Algae is always in the water waiting for optimum conditions. Unless the plants you got were covered in algae, then no, probably not.

You should be able to pluck the hair algae out of the gravel pretty easily. The best solution, of course, is to just cut off the causes and they will die by themselves. Algaefix if you are impatient or if you can't isolate the causes. Like Hobbs said, if you added liquid fertilizer for your plants, then it is possible there is still some in the water. What is your water change schedule like? And how long ago did those plants die? And again, the lighting plays a critical part. Do you have a light on the tank? If so, how long do you leave it on for?

The first thing I would do is clean out that filter though.

Do you mean undergravel filter or a in tank submersible? Your whisper will work fine as long as it's maintained properly. A canister filter is a bit overkill for a 20g tank anyways.

As a side note, the 2 clown loach and the pleco get HUGE later on, so you'll need to send them back to the LFS or get a bigger tank.

[kimbo]

Algae is always in the water waiting for optimum conditions. Unless the plants you got were covered in algae, then no, probably not.

You should be able to pluck the hair algae out of the gravel pretty easily. The best solution, of course, is to just cut off the causes and they will die by themselves. Algaefix if you are impatient or if you can't isolate the causes. Like Hobbs said, if you added liquid fertilizer for your plants, then it is possible there is still some in the water. What is your water change schedule like? And how long ago did those plants die? And again, the lighting plays a critical part. Do you have a light on the tank? If so, how long do you leave it on for?

The first thing I would do is clean out that filter though.

Do you mean undergravel filter or a in tank submersible? Your whisper will work fine as long as it's maintained properly. A canister filter is a bit overkill for a 20g tank anyways.

As a side note, the 2 clown loach and the pleco get HUGE later on, so you'll need to send them back to the LFS or get a bigger tank.

I added FloraPride to the water, but that was at least 2 yrs ago. I'll admit the water change schedule isn't regular, what would you suggest? The plants have been gone over 2 yrs too. The tank light is on approximately 11 hrs a day, on a timer. I was looking at an in tank submersible.

[kimbo]

Is there a fish that will eat this hair algae? Or control it after I manually remove it?

[crackatinny]

Is algae to that extent bad?, it does give a good natural affect.

[kimbo]

Is algae to that extent bad?, it does give a good natural affect.

It looks okay on the rock ( to me at least) but I really can't stand it in the gravel. Plus it becomes loose and floats. (The pictures were taken after I cleaned the free-floating algae). Additionally it clogs my filter, both the intake and the media, right now I'm getting a trickle out of the filter.

[Chrona]

Siamese Algae Eater (make sure it's a true SAE) will clean that tank up in no time.

[kimbo]

Siamese Algae Eater (make sure it's a true SAE) will clean that tank up in no time.

Thanks, what about Amano shrimp?

[Chrona]

Yes, but they will really only eat hair algae and detritus. SAE on the other hand, eat every type of algae as well as fish food.

[crackatinny]

Siamese Algae Eater (make sure it's a true SAE) will clean that tank up in no time.

Also known as flying fox, look at the tail when purchasing, a true siamese algae eater will have the stripe continue through its tail, if it does not continue through the tail, it is not a siamese alge eater

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[crackatinny]

Just note, if you go for the flying fox, make sure you have a lid on the tank, I once got one of these, and on the 1st night it jumped out of the tank.

[Chrona]

Also known as flying fox, look at the tail when purchasing, a true siamese algae eater will have the stripe continue through its tail, if it does not continue through the tail, it is not a siamese alge eater

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Actually the Flying Fox is a different fish. The Siamese Flying Fox, however, is the one and the same. Whoever named these things must have just polished off a few cases of rum.

Also, make sure that it only has 1 black stripe. If it has a white strip above the black one, then it is a regular Flying Fox or possibly a false SAE, which do not clean algae as well and does not eat beard algae.

[kimbo]

Actually the Flying Fox is a different fish. The Siamese Flying Fox, however, is the one and the same. Whoever named these things must have just polished off a few cases of rum.

Also, make sure that it only has 1 black stripe. If it has a white strip above the black one, then it is a regular Flying Fox or possibly a false SAE, which do not clean algae as well and does not eat beard algae.

Like this?:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[hungryhound]

We just purchase two SAEs for our 46 gallon tank and my wife absolutly loves them. They're fun to watch and do a wonderful job cleaning the tank. I can tell you that she did quite a bit of internet surfing to ensure that she knew the difference between a true SAE, a false SAE, the flying fox and the chinease algae eater. In fact, when it came down to finding them at our LFS she had to help the lady working that day! Anyways, here's the link that gies a nice run through with images:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Chrona]

Like this?:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Precisely. Note the zig-zagged edges of the black stripe that is also a trademark of a true SAE.

[cocoa_pleco]

CLIFFORD! on t.v right in the background.



MY FAVORITE SHOW! oh, did i say that aloud? lol:1: :1: :1: :1:

[kimbo]

CLIFFORD! on t.v right in the background.



MY FAVORITE SHOW! oh, did i say that aloud? lol:1: :1: :1: :1:


My 2yr old son likes it, not as much as Curious George though...

[Chrona]

CLIFFORD! on t.v right in the background.


The mutant algae in your tank must be feeding off that big red dog power.

[cocoa_pleco]

The mutant algae in your tank must be feeding off that big red dog power.


LOL:1: :1: :1: :1:

[kimbo]

Thanks for all of the help everyone! I've read that the Siamese Algae eater is kind of a rarity in the US. Am I going to have problems finding one? I would guess they won't have one at a PetsMart or PetCo.

[cocoa_pleco]

SAE and CAE are common in canada.


Is it true some states cant keep sting rays? we can keep them here

[Chrona]

Thanks for all of the help everyone! I've read that the Siamese Algae eater is kind of a rarity in the US. Am I going to have problems finding one? I would guess they won't have one at a PetsMart or PetCo.

They can be a pain to find. 99% of the time, false SAE, flying foxes, and true SAE are mixed in the same shipment, so you gotta look around. I doubt Petco would have them (at leat, my Petco wouldn't) Never been to Petsmart though.

[kimbo]

SAE and CAE are common in canada.


Is it true some states cant keep sting rays? we can keep them here

Not sure about stingrays, although I think I recall seeing them in a shop here in Texas.

I had a CAE... waste...mean little bugger

[cocoa_pleco]

i think i read some states cant have them. weird

[hungryhound]

I know our LFS had tons of true SAEs. We'd also checked out Petland, and they had them, however, the tanks looked awful and decided to see if the LFS had the right thing (they did, just were mislabeled). I'd guess that SAEs are becoming more common, but that's just a guess on my part.

[kimbo]

I know our LFS had tons of true SAEs. We'd also checked out Petland, and they had them, however, the tanks looked awful and decided to see if the LFS had the right thing (they did, just were mislabeled). I'd guess that SAEs are becoming more common, but that's just a guess on my part.

I asked at Petland today, didn't have any. I called around to LFS, no dice. They said to call back in 2 weeks. Any other fish that will help control this? Will adding live plants slow the algae growth?

[Chrona]

I asked at Petland today, didn't have any. I called around to LFS, no dice. They said to call back in 2 weeks. Any other fish that will help control this? Will adding live plants slow the algae growth?

Only if they grow well and suck nutrients out of the water column. I think you are better off getting some algae killer, like Algaefix for now, unless you want to get some shrimp or snails

Actually, nvm, you have a clown loach. Does anyone know if loaches eat shrimp? I know they devour snails

[kimbo]

I think you are better off getting some algae killer, like Algaefix for now, unless you want to get some shrimp or snails


Is the algae killer going to be a one time thing, or something I will have to continually do? Also, will the clowns eat all snails, or just the smaller ones?

[Chrona]

Is the algae killer going to be a one time thing, or something I will have to continually do? Also, will the clowns eat all snails, or just the smaller ones?

It's a one time thing unless you can isolate the cause of the algae, which are:

Excessive silicates in tap water (usually seen with well water)
Excessive phosphates
Excessive nutrients (nitrates)

Direct sunlight

Uh, I lost my train of thought. There are a couple more, but these are the usual suspects.

I believe clowns will eat any snail they can get to. Don't quote me on that though.

[Severus]

My clowns ate all snails EXCEPT my largest one. Who is about 2" in diameter. They picked on him for a little while and then gave up because he would go into his shell. That might not be the same case for all clowns though

[kimbo]

My clowns ate all snails EXCEPT my largest one. Who is about 2" in diameter. They picked on him for a little while and then gave up because he would go into his shell. That might not be the same case for all clowns though

What about shrimp? Will they eat them too?

[Severus]

I have no idea about shrimp. I dont think they should....


but dont hold me to that. lol