Texas holy rock with Algae

I have a MalawI tank with Texas holy rock. Whats the best way to keep algae under control in my tank? By the way nitrates are normal and I keep the hood light on a minimum of 6 hours each day.

 

It sounds like you are doing what needs to be done. In your case you can not really plant, that competes for the nutrients the algae needs and keeps the algae to a minimum. Keeping your tank clean and the lights down are your two only options that I know of.... Of course you can wash the rock with a 10% solution of bleach every so often to get rid of it. I personally have two algae eaters in the tank with my African Cichlids. Maybe someone out there has a better idea than me.

 

Wendy is right about the plants, I am currently trying it in my 55 gallon but will have to wait to see what will go through.

As for getting rid of the algae, you need to discern what kind of algae it is. A mod named Dena can help. She wrote this thread:



There are also ways to control/remove from the tank. Hope this helps...

 

Rocks are a pain (hints currently I don't have any bigger rocks in any of my tanks) when I use them generally about once a month if I can I flip them upside down so the algae side is down. Depending on the rock this was possible.

I hated trying to scrub the rocks. I learned a trick that we use at the LFS I work at with the rocks and decos. If you fill a bucket (or whatever size you need) with hot water and mix just enough bleach that you can smell the bleach slightly. Leave it for a couple hours. Come back drain the water, rinse the rocks the best you can, fill back up your bucket/sink/whatever with hot water again, Dump quite a bit of water conditioner (I just use the cheap stuff for this) in the water, soak for another 2 hours or so. Rinse again.

If you smell bleach at all on the rocks fill up your water and rinse it with water conditioner again. I usually don't have any issues with it smelling bleach after if you just use enough in the original solution to barely smell it.

 

I've come across that method too.

Personally I really hate using bleach on my tanks. I only use it in the event of some serious disease contaminating an entire tank. Beyond that I just think algae is natural and will take it's cycle (assuming it is not a red species algae)

 

Texas Holey rock is terrible about getting algae on it. It's nice an rough and provides a good place for algae to grow.
If you want the algae off you can use bleach as suggested but be aware when you do you're also killing beneficial bacteria. That same rough surface the algae loves is the perfect place for good bacteria to grow.
I like a little algae in my tanks, makes them look more natural.
Carol

 

I like a little algae in my tanks, makes them look more natural.
Carol

Agreed

 

Good morning,

I also like a little algae in my tanks.

Your thread has been moved from Aquarium Water to Aquarium Water/Algae section of the forum.

Thanks!

Ken

 

I think algae in small amounts can be beneficial to almost all tanks, provided it isn't an invasive species.