I guess I'm fairly new to tanks - algae question

[prism_wolf]

Although I have had 15 tanks set up at one time about 20 yrs. ago...I flew by the seat of my pants. I did pretty well, both community and aggressive tanks to the little fish bowls of gold fish or bettas. I didn't lose many fish, but there was a lot I'm sure I still didn't (and don't) know. I may have just been lucky, but a lot of it seemed like common sense and reading the bottles for the cure to the latest funk...on fish or in tank. I have a few books, but those were all purchased in the 80s and early 90s.

My latest thing is something my 19 yr. old daughter calls a "water tribble' in our 20 gal. community tank. It's an algae I would like to kill off. I have a plecostamus who eats the green stuff, but as I was afraid of...he won't touch a tribble!

Yes...I overfeed...yes...I use too much light. Is there hope I can rid this stuff from backing off of both? I would rather stay away from chemicals to kill.

[Chrona]

That looks like black brush algae, which stems from too much lighting without CO2 injection. You need to cut way down on the light (How many watts and how long are you leaving them on? Also tank size?) and trim off the affected leaves. As an alternative, you can squirt some Seachem Flourish Excel directly on the affected leaves (do not use this if you have any vals or anacharis, also don't squirt any kind of moss). Don't squirt more than the tank dose each time obviously. While this technically is a chemical, it's intended as a carbon source (like a fertilizer) for plants, that just has the convenient side effect of killing many forms of algae such as black brush algae.

[sergo]

i can't really help you but, chrona is very knowledgable with planted tanks. all i can say is welcome to the forum.

[prism_wolf]

Thank you for the advice. The plants are fake. I've never had luck with live plants. The fish seem to really enjoy them. As stated - the tank is a 20 gal.

Photoperiod...hmmm...these stay on for a really long time. From about 6:00 a.m. to whenever we go to bed...sometimes 11:00 at night. I'm already lining up a timer so we can regulate that better for about 8:00 - 6:00. I rescue and re-home reptiles...so I know I have an extra timer laying around somewhere.

Bulb...Aqua Rays 15W.

Just a little more info. There is one window in the room. There's no direct light on the tank at any given time during the day.

What's they deal on the automatic feeders I've seen. Do these work?

[Chrona]

Thank you for the advice. The plants are fake. I've never had luck with live plants. The fish seem to really enjoy them. As stated - the tank is a 20 gal.

Photoperiod...hmmm...these stay on for a really long time. From about 6:00 a.m. to whenever we go to bed...sometimes 11:00 at night. I'm already lining up a timer so we can regulate that better for about 8:00 - 6:00. I rescue and re-home reptiles...so I know I have an extra timer laying around somewhere.

Bulb...Aqua Rays 15W.

Just a little more info. There is one window in the room. There's no direct light on the tank at any given time during the day.

What's they deal on the automatic feeders I've seen. Do these work?

If you don't have any live plants, just set the timer on the lights for whenever you are home. No longer than 8 hours for sure though. Or heck, just leave the lights off for now.

[prism_wolf]

Or heck, just leave the lights off for now.

That sounds easy! I can do that!