mitch126

I seem to have a lot of Algea forming in my tank I have only 1 algea eater its only a 20 gal tank how can I get rid of this please as it makes the tank look dirty what are the best fish for this .Thanks peter

Chief_waterchanger

What type of algae, do you know?

Is it green, brown, black, purple, fuzzy, stringy, clumped in balls?

Some types of algae can go away with time, others are nearly impossible to remove.

What type of 'algae eater' do you have? What other stuff is in the tank? Did you cycle it first? What type of waterchange schedule do you have, and is the tank planted? Some people use plants to suck up the nutrients so that algae has no nutrients to grow, which starves it out.

sgould

Totally black the tank out for 3 days. Cover the glass (foil works really well) and leave the lights off during that period. Afterwards, do a large (at least 50%) water change.

Afterwards, you should take a look at what has contributed to the outbreak to begin with, or you will back in the same situation in fairly short order. Major contributors would be an excess of nutrients in the water (overfeeding and not sufficiently vac'ing the gravel during water changes) and too much light (either exposed to direct sunlight, or having the tank lights on too long).

Chief_waterchanger

Sgould should be listened to, he knows what he is talking about based on the soundness of his advice.

sgould

Good heavens, don't let THAT rumor get out!

bhcaaron

Too late! Didn't you see it spreading like wild fire!?

mitch126

Hi thanks for your replies the Algea is green and seem a bit stringy I don't know the name of the algea eater as thats what they are called in my L.F.S .the lights are on about10 hrs I read this on the forum that this was the time that was needed ! the tank is planted and I have Danios and Harlequins and I did cycle fishless for 5 weeks I have two plants Elodea and Vallisneria the Elodea has doubled in size since I put it in looking a bit messy now though ,the water change is about every two weeks .