Green Algea

hey All

Just a quick question, is a small amount of algae build-up normal over a two week period, after cleaning.
Is it fairly normal to have some algae, or should you not have any if your doing things right.

I never used to really have any, but since i have more lighting, using ferts and trying to get my plants going 100%, i seem to be "growing" some algae too.

It's not alot, but just wondering if its an indication of something wrong - imbalance?

Thanks

 

Hope this helps:

The algae grows back rapidly after I clean my tank. What's wrong and how can I fix it?

It is normal for algae to begin to return within two weeks after being removed. Algae multiply rapidly. If, however, algae returns within a day or two, this may indicate a problem with either light or water quality. Algae requires light and nutrients to grow. If the tank receives too much light, is over-fed, or is over-stocked, algae problems will usually occur. If the aquarium is a reef tank using metal halide lighting which is on for twelve hours or more each day, rapid algae growth on the aquarium sides could be normal. You should experiment with photoperiod to see if you can strike a balance between algae growth and the health of the corals. Excessive algae growth on a live-reef structure is not normal. Good water flow and alternating flow should exist in a reef tank. Temperature may need control through use of a chiller. Algae consuming animals should be present in every reef, such as Blue-legged Hermit Crabs, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Snails, and Urchins. Live rock structures should be built with spaces to allow good flow. Excessive light and/or water quality parameters should be checked and corrected if necessary. An over-fed or over-stocked aquarium will result in the accumulation of organics that algae feed on, resulting in rapid algae growth. Warmer aquariums grow algae faster. Fish-only tanks should be 78ºF, and reef tanks and planted aquarium ideally should be 74ºF to 76ºF. If the aquarium receives direct, or bright indirect natural sunlight from a nearby window, draw the blinds or move the aquarium! In a fish-only aquarium, lights should be on for about eight hours. If the lights are on longer, algae will return at a more rapid rate. Aquarium lights should never be on for more than twelve hours. This grows more algae and is bad for the fish. Cleaning an aquarium too thoroughly makes algae grow back faster! Leave a little algae in your tank when you clean.

Source:http://www.aquariumpros.com/faqpro/algae_1.shtml#05200260

 

Hi Julie,

Yes, if you are getting algae 2 weeks after cleaning, I would actually say that your set up is functioned very well. Actually... I would go as far as saying WELL DONE.

HOWEVER, this depends on the TYPE of algae. In your tank, you have micro and macro nutrients. With plants, we are obviously putting these in through the fertilizers. If you are getting Green Spot Algae, (GSA), the algae that normally grows on the glass, then this means that the nitrates are raising slightly higher than what the plants can consume, and thus is blooms. According to the Fertlization Strategy discussion that Laure had with the Professor, it was clear that the day you do your water change, you should start seeing GSA. This is a very good indication that your tank has reached the point where the plants are not taking up any more Nitrates.

I'm not sure on my following philosophy, but this is how I interpret it. Your plants need a BALANCED number of different macro and micro nutrients in order to grow effectively. When that balance is out, (i.e they have depleted the tank of a certain number of nutrients) the plants are obviously going to slow down in their growth because they are not getting the effective nutrient. One of the elements that I beleive that then gets taken in slower is the nitrates, and thus, there is a steady climb in the nitrates in the tank. This is why GSA then starts to grow, because it thrives on the nitrates.

When you do a waterchange, you reset the system, and then put the necessary elements back into the tank, and thus the nitrates are then absorbed again.

If you are making it to day 14, then you have a very nice set up there... and I am very jealous. Although, I am currently making it to day 12 without seeing any GSA... so I am getting closer.

If it is another type of algae, you would need to find out what imbalance is occuring in the tank, (low light, high light, ferts, CO2 etc) in order to determine where you are fallig short. The nice thing about algae is there is so many different types, that each type is effectively able to tell you what you are running low on.

 

Hi Julie,

As said above there is no problem, and is about as perfect as you can get from your report?

I would suggest getting a few algae eaters to assist in controlling the algae?

I would recommend Otocinclus but they can be difficult to acclimatise, and you could loose a lot initially? I have 7 in my tank, out of perhaps about 18 I have bought. If they make it through 2 weeks, then they should be fine, so having a spare tank and putting at least 50% of your tanks water (from water changes) into it can help acclimatise them to your water, whilst keeping them in isolation from the rest of your community.

Otherwise if you have a bit of cash spare and can accomodate a couple of 10 - 15cm fish without over loading your system, I also recommend Sturisoma which are actually quite stunning and unusual fish, and very cool to watch when they munch!!

If you do get some Algae eaters, try and only clean your front glass, and leave the sides and back if practical, as this will still keep up the food supply for such fishes, yet still allows you to see them!

Hope that helps?

Regards
G!

 

Thanks everyone - sounds good then

i think my photo period is a little too long at times, and i may over-feed a little.
So - but all in all - not bad news

G - where can a person get the sturisoma's and what do they cost approx?

 

Hello

Seems like i have got my algea problem sorted, changed my photo period to strictly 10hrs and badabing!

Easy as that hey , when you have the right advice.

Thanks all
:bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile:

 

+1 to Julie for FOLLOWING advice...