Hey guys, what is this algae and how can I control it better? I do water changes 1-2x a week! I always scrap this stuff off too.
Algae control in flowerhorn tank
- Thread starter Dieboldly
- Start date
If the other water values are good and you don't want to keep the tank dark you can use a phosphate absorbing media. I use the pelitized type from Seacem. Be sure to wash it well before use and replace it when the overgrowth starts to show up again. It is not an exchange resin it does not release when exhausted and it cannot be recharged. I don't bother to test for phosphate in fresh water fish only systems as most over the counter phosphate test kits are not accurate enough to read the low levels we need to keep in order to control plant growth via nutrient restriction. You might have to change out the first charge in a week just to pull out the built up and sequestered phosphate in the system. Once you get the growth under control you likely need far less to maintain a clean tank.
Some food makers use phosphate compounds to preserve the food. Check the labels. Some water supplies add phosphate based compounds to control metal erosion. You can fin level change your water 3X a day and still have overgrowth
Some food makers use phosphate compounds to preserve the food. Check the labels. Some water supplies add phosphate based compounds to control metal erosion. You can fin level change your water 3X a day and still have overgrowth
Lights are left on from 4am-8pm....same for my tank below it filled with goldfish and no algae tho. I have a window adjacent from the tank but blinds are always shut.
4 am to 8 pm seems like too long a photo period. What is the nitrate level in the tank?
I'm not sure I will have to do a water test. Well I am going to turn it off once I get home from work. So after 8hrs
Yeah that's a long light period. But yourself a light timer and just have the lights come on shortly before you get home. Three of my four tanks are on timers. I use the cheapie light timers from Wal-Mart. They're about $8 and simple to use. There's more expensive fancier ones too but these ones have worked well for me.
http://i5.walmartimages.com/dfw/dce07b8c-82e9/k2-_7e2da235-f6fe-402c-800f-3816d946fec9.v1.jpg
http://i5.walmartimages.com/dfw/dce07b8c-82e9/k2-_7e2da235-f6fe-402c-800f-3816d946fec9.v1.jpg
I also think it might be that the lights are on too long, you may want to get a timer, and have them on for a few hours in the morning, then off for 8 hours, and back on after you get home from work.