scatty

Hey guys. I think I may be developing an algae problem - even the gravel is going green. I've always done a weekly clean and pwc, and have never seen this before. All water parameters are good and havent changed, but suddenly everythings going green. Firstly, is there something I can add to the water to fix it?, and secondly, what can cause it? Could I be overfeeding or something? (I ask because it IS possible )

Time

phosphate remover? I don't know if it is available for freshwater. Maybe your lighting is too high. A bunch of possibilities but more people will answer knowing. Maybe you should get an algae eater like snails.

small_fry

is ur tank getting direct natural light?? that can cause algae blooms, try blacking out the tank completely for a few days and dont feed the fish as this will feed the algae as well! hopefully it will all die off!

Shawnie

some of the algae causes can be overfeeding, too high of watts per gallon of water, lights being left on too long, direct or indirect sunlight on the tank, and overcrowded leading to too much waste....if any of those apply, you are going to have to change them..if they do not, try a search on fishlore for different types of algae as we have many threads to help

scatty

Actually it does get the morning sun. DON"T FEED THE FISH? oh, the pooooor things!!!!!

shawnie - we must have been typing at the same time. overcrowding could be it, wondered about that too. I'm about to move some over to the new tank, so hopefully that will help. how do i get rid of it tho? will it go on its own or will i still have to treat the tank?

Shawnie

the sun is probably your problem..so you either have to put dark backgrounds on the tank so it wont shine in, or move the tank....once you remove the sunlight from coming in, and feed sparingly (1 small amount a day) until its gone, you should be good...

MizRamzi

PhsoBan works great! Cut down on your lights, feed once a day or every other day. Basically what everyone else said, lol

Nate McFin

I am not a big fan of blacking out the tank. More often than not it will work to get rid of a problem but it will pop right back up unless the problem is solved. How many hours are the lights on?
The natural light could well be the problem as well.
I see you have a plant of unkown variety in the tank as well. Are you fertilizing the plant?
Adding some Wisteria or other nutrient hungry plant would also help outcompete the algae for food and help get rid of it.

Shawnie

If you are good about water changes and maintenance on the tank, its going to be the sunlight thats much more of an issue....you got to move the tank or make sure it has enough background covering so the sun doesnt get in there at all...Im not a fan of meds or any chemicals to get rid of it because most will kill your cycle..so if you can move your tank, that would be a huge difference and then just up your water changes and vacuums to help until your new tank is ready for some of the babies

scatty

Not fertilising the plant, no - it's growing madly enough as it is! I can easily solve the sunlight problems by not opening the curtains in the morning until the sun has moved high enough. Thinking about it, that could be the problem as it's only recently started and summer is approaching, so the sun has been alot brighter and warmer in the mornings. Actually, don't remember the tank getting the morning sun when I first put it there, so I'm betting that's the prob. Combined with too many fish and my propensity to over-feed the little guys. I will try very hard to control myself
The lights are on for 10-12 hrs a day, but are pretty low wattage, and havent caused the prob before,
Thanks heaps guys, I'll get these fishies into their new home asap, cut down on food and keep the curtains closed a bit longer. Hopefully that will work.

Hehe...again, shawnie, your post wasnt there when i started typing. I think you may be on the money, but fortunately shouldnt have to move the tank. Glad you told me these chemicals could stuff up my tanks cycle - wouldnt have thought of that. Ta!