Algae problem only in 1 tank

[guppies55]

I have 2 tanks 1 55g and a 10g

The 10 gal is fine never no algae had diatoms for about 3 week but they've been gone since right after it cycled

But my 55g has a slight algae problem thats not really out of hand just a little concerned about it but i change 30-50% WC every sunday but before i change it i use my mag float and clean off all the algae off the glass (very easy) and its good for all week until about saturday then it noticeably all over the glass.

Do i just need a couple SAE's or put some kind of bottled algae control to keep help keep the glass cleaner?

[Cliff]

The lack of SAE's is not causing the algea in the tank, so that is were I would suggest your focus be.

If its only a small problem, I would suggest increaseing the water changes to at least 50% (maybe more). If that will not work, try fasting your fish or one or two days a week to cut back on the nutriants in the tank or try cutting back on the lighting.

[andreahp]

+1 with Cliff - from what I've read here, algae problems can be caused by an imbalance in the water column and/or too much light - try what he suggested first before adding stuff to the tank. I get algae sometimes also - it's easy to scrape off so I don't mind it too much.

[Lady Hobbs]

Same with me. Black beard algae loves to plague my 55 planted but not in my other two tanks. Same routine for all of them and same fert schedule. Only algae I ever have is the BBA and in only that one tank. I seem to have no problem if I omit ferts in that one tank.

[Cermet]

You didn't say how long your lights are on; if over eight hours do cut back. If none or on only a few hours, believe it or not, then increasing the lighting time can help get rid of algae(by allowing plants to eat more nutrients in the water). Ditto on intenisty - if too low that can cause algae just as too high can (IF you have a good number of live plants - if not, then increasing light time will good nothing but help the algae). Color temp is important but I do not know much on that subject.

I feel that one should not use algae control chemicals with fish - I don't trust them and many here have had bad results.

If the algae easy cleans off maybe you have the silica eating type -diatoms -and that clears up on its own after getting rid of excessive silica in the water (can take time... mine took a number of months!)