problem or potential problem with green algae?

[Cermet]

Even with low nitrates, algae can grow if the phosphates get high - yes, even with 50% weekly water changes phosphates can climb. A phosphate absorber or algae scrubber can remove this; however, better to first see if this is an issue. Get a Seachem phosphate measuring kit and see what the levels are. If below 1 ppm (and you have plants) should be ok.

If you use ferts than other issues can arise.

[fishmommie]

thanks cermet. I don't have plants but I will get a test kit and see if phosphates are an issue and go from there.
As I said - I actually kind of like the look of the algae on the arms of the driftwood but I don't want it to take over my tank.
appreciate it.

[Taurus]

thanks cermet. I don't have plants but I will get a test kit and see if phosphates are an issue and go from there.
As I said - I actually kind of like the look of the algae on the arms of the driftwood but I don't want it to take over my tank.
appreciate it.

Did that pleco of yours go on a hunger strike?

IMHO, the best way to control algae in an unplanted tank is to limit the photo period of the tank lights. Water changes also help.

IMHO, it's wise to test for abnormally high phosphate though. If your tap water does test abnormally high for phosphates, an R\O filter with de-ionization stage may be your best long term solution. Just thought I'd throw that out there as an option.

[fishmommie]

Did that pleco of yours go on a hunger strike?
That pleco rarely makes an appearance. When I see him he's hanging upside down on a rock. I've yet to see him suck on the glass or the top of a rock and RARELY see him on the driftwood. I think he's just a pretty face and no substance LOL

IMHO, the best way to control algae in an unplanted tank is to limit the photo period of the tank lights. Water changes also help.
I am always on top of my W/C so I'll continue to do that. I'll have to fuss with the lights a bit because, as I said, if I can't see my fish while I'm in my office, then what was the point??

IMHO, it's wise to test for abnormally high phosphate though.

I'll take samples of both the tank water and the tap water to my LFS and see if he will check them. No issues in my other two tanks, however, so I suspect it's a question of light which means I'll probably be washing rocks on a regular basis. oh well.

Thanks!!

[Taurus]

I'll take samples of both the tank water and the tap water to my LFS and see if he will check them. No issues in my other two tanks, however, so I suspect it's a question of light which means I'll probably be washing rocks on a regular basis. oh well.

Thanks!!

Now that's smart. That way, you may not have to buy another test kit.

[Lady Hobbs]

I leave my planted tank lights on now only 6 hours a day due to it giving me problems with algae and it's fully planted. Without plants, a tank light is really not needed at all and you could have them on only in the evening if you wanted.

[fishmommie]

I leave my planted tank lights on now only 6 hours a day due to it giving me problems with algae and it's fully planted. Without plants, a tank light is really not needed at all and you could have them on only in the evening if you wanted.

thanks for weighing in ladyhobbs. I am in my office from around 7:00 am to 6:00 pm so that's the time I want lights on so I can enjoy the fish. So that won't work to only turn them on at night. But what I'm going to do is not turn them on until around 8:00, shut them off for a couple of hours mid day then turn them back on mid afternoon and off at 6:00. That way I'll cut the lights to around 8 hours and I'll start leaving them off on the weekends that I don't work.
I was going to clean some of the algae up tomorrow but sadly I found 2 dead ottos on my HOB intake tube this morning (no clue what happened with them) and I had to dig into the tank to get them out so I just did a thorough cleaning.
Vacuumed and took out all the rocks and plants scrubbed them and cleaned the diatoms again and some of the algae.
So - starting fresh. Making a better effort to keep the lights off going forward and hoping these measures will keep it controlled.
thanks again

[Cermet]

Strange to lose bottom dwellers - could a spike of nitrite have come from the substrate (has happened to me.)?

If the tap and/or tank water is high in phosphates - an intank algae scrubber (small unit) could handle that issue rather well (or at least has for me.)

[fishmommie]

Strange to lose bottom dwellers - could a spike of nitrite have come from the substrate (has happened to me.)?

If the tap and/or tank water is high in phosphates - an intank algae scrubber (small unit) could handle that issue rather well (or at least has for me.)

Nope. No nitrates. This tank has consistently read <5.

I took some of my rocks out today. Thought maybe I had some in there that leech phosphates or silicates? Not sure what all kind of rocks I have but I did take the quartz out.
Did read somewhere that quartz has phosphates or silicates and clearly I do not know enough to ask an intelligent question on this subject.
I also have a rock that glitters a bit ... and when I scrub the algae off, little sand-like granules fall off. Might that be a cause for some of the diatoms?
Did not know I had to become a chemist AND a geologist AND a nutritionist AND an electrical engineer AND an interior decorator (skipping the horticulturist at this time) when I started this hobby. I thought I was going to watch pretty fish.
Loving the challenges but hate the frustration of finding things out the hard way.

Oh - and I'm going to see if my LFS can check the phosphates in both my tank and tap water.

[Taurus]

Patience grasshoppa........

Quartz based rock is perfectly fine to put in your tank. Got a batch of them in mine.

Loving the challenges but hate the frustration of finding things out the hard way.