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Over the last week I have noticed Green Algae in my tank. It is growing on the inside of the glass (you and I know it's a pain to get off) I have not changed anything, It is not in direct sunlight, I turn the light on every morning about 7am and off every day about 8pm. I have had this tank set up for years! This is just becoming a problem now?????

The Tank:
37G Cube
3 Small Jack Dempseys (less than an inch)
2 CAE's
Penguin 330 with the intake ajusted
Full of Rocks


Two questions:

Why is it starting now? (no I don't know the paramiters) Like I said I have not changed a thing.

I have tried scrubbing it off with the tank brush. Doesn't work so well.

Whats the best way to scrape it off without scratching the glass? Like I said I've never had this problem. I have been keeping fish for over 20 years.

Rob
Have tried a maga float product. They make them for glass and acrylic tanks. Just make sure you get the right size for the tank. the large on are for bigger tanks and there for thicker glass. So the magnet is stronger. I use then on all tanks and it something you can do quickly when you stop the watch your fish, it only takes a min..I have to think that may be your phosphate has increase and with 13 hours of intense lighting is the cause of the problem.

Djrichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Yeah the 13 hours of light may have something to do with it. Try taking it down to 10-11 hours per day and see if that helps at all.

I have pretty much kept the light on for that long since i set up this tank. hmmmmm..

I will have to get out the old test kit.... If I can find it.

I have the "cheap" version of the Magnetic cleaner... Will go back and give er...

i had the same problem just back down the light a bit. i usually turn my light on around 10-11 am so that way i can still have the light on after its dark outside.

*click *flash *click "whered he go???"

I took a razor blade and got it off.

I scrubbed and scrubed with the magnet. That got old REAL FAST.

Are you getting maybe more outside light source not just from outside (daylight, but maybe a light has been add to the room or something that you would think matters. Have you replaced a new bulb in the fixture, a new bulb is much stronger than an old one. You should replace them every year as they loss life after time, even if it was not being used. Always remember to check the date on the box before buying a new one. As far a cheap magna-float, I have never had to much success with them.

Djrichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

I replace the bulb every six months.

The light in my home has not changed.


I need to get a good magna Float.

A tank setup for years with a sudden unexplained algae problem and no tested parameters. My guess would be old tank syndrome. http://www.bestfish.com/oldtank.html Even if you have been doing maintenance on the tank it may be that for years you have been removing slightly less than the amount of waste the fish were producing. Over time it builds up and among other problems you get high nitrates and excess nutrients from the waste breaking down. Then you end up with algae. Best way to check that is to get a nitrate test. They aren't that expensive and can sometimes be very useful tools to check the condition of your tank.

ROB, you've said you have been keeping fish for over 20 years, but how old is this tank?

That was a great link sham. I think I’ll print it out and put it in the fish filling cabinet. I'm only 15 years old, and been in the hobby for a year(and a half next month) and I have a file cabinet full of fish stuff.......doing good so far.



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