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Hi, I am new to the forums. So glad to have found this resource! I have owned a 10 gal. for many years, and sort of just skated along. I received a new 20 gal. for Christmas and now seem to have the bug! It's been set up for about 2 weeks now, and already has the bright green algae growing in it. I've tested the water and all levels are well within their recommendations. I have several african swords and a few other varieties of plants in the tank. I can't remember the other varieties, as our 7 month old Akita stole the identifiers and chewed them up.<img src='/images/forums/tear.gif' border=0> The tank does get some light during the day as our home has many windows. I have done the reccommended water changes as well, thinking that would help keep algae levels low. I was going to purchase the algae destroyer but the label said it would be bad for plants. Could you guys throw some ideas my way? I'd really appreciate it. So far I have 2 guppies, 2 danios, and 6 neon tetras from the old tank now inhabiting the new tank. I was afraid that I might have moved them too soon, but they seem to be doing REALLY well. Sorry this message seems to be rambling.<br><img src='/images/forums/twitch.gif' border=0>

Welcome to FishProfiles

How often do you have your lights on? That much algae in a brand new tank seems kinda weird...is it cycled? Do you have a background on the tank?

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Congrats on finding us .

Can I ask specifically what the paramaters are for ammonia nitrIte and specifically nitrAte?

Also, can you describe the algae a bit more. Is it hard and spotty like and difficult to scrub off the glass? Is it soft and furry like velvet? Or is it maybe light and smelly and kind of like a green cobweb?

^_^
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HI, thanks for responding so quickly.
I usually wake everybody up at around 8am, then the lights go out around 10pm. I do have a back ground on the tank. I think the majority of the light comes from a 20'high paladian<SP?> window that's located about 30-40' away from the front. I have plantation shutters on the bottom part, but the "fan" at the top lets in a lot of light around 4-5pm.
I've been going by my test kits recommendations of 0ppm for the amm. nitrate and nitrite and using the colored test cards provided. I just re-tested a few minutes ago and all levels are at 0.
The algae that is in the tank isn't a huge amount, but I was surprised that it would even begin to form this quickly. I've been very diligent. Maybe I keep the lights on too much?

Well nitrAte levels of zero will lead to problems, especially if you're fertalizing the tank as well. I'm thinking that while yes this is a planted tank that it hasn't had a chance to cycle properly yet.
A description or a picture of the algae would be helpful.

^_^
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Hi Freso,

Welcome to the forums! As your nutrient levels seem good, I think your algae problem is most likely related to the amount of light the tank is getting, just as you though t yourself. I'd suggest you get a timer for your light fixture, which will automatically switch your lights on/off at set times. In My own tank I use a 12 hour light/dark cycle which works fairly well, In your case you may want to start with a shorter cycle to see whether you can decrease algae growth and then once you have that accomplished, slowly increase the cycle time up to 10-12 hours. If you have the chance to block the window a bit more (a sunscreen on the outside perhaps?) that would be perfect, but if not then playing around with the light cycle may help. Don't start trying to work with chemicals, once you start doing that you'll never see the end of it and in general your plants (and fish?) won't like it one bit. Good luck

The algae is a film of bright green slime. It comes off easily.
Okay, I'm confused about the nitrate levels now. I read somewhere that you want a reading of 0, but what I'm hearing here is that you need some levels. Which does make sense, being that it is a nutrient. What levels should I be trying to achieve?

Well, nitrate levels are a bit of a tricky subject. It depends a little bit on the kind of tank you're having, in non-planted, or fake planted tanks, nitrates aren't really an issue as long as they stay below 40, but preferably below 20. In those kind of tanks you don't need as much light as in planted tanks and algae therefore won't grow as fast.

In planted tanks, especially heavily planted tanks you do want some nitrates, not too much, but around 10 ppm. If you have too little of it your plants won't grow because of a lack of nitrogen source, and instead you will get algae growth, the kind of algae is also depends on other nutriends available, such as phosphates, and is kinda unpredictable. Other factors involved is the kind of light that you use in the tank, make sure that you have a fluorescent tube of the right spectrum, ask in your LFS for a proper one if you're not sure, I use grolux tubes myself.

As for the kind of algae, if there is any way you can supply a photo of the algae it would be of great help to see what could be a problem. Is it dark green and does it capture air bubbles? if so, then you may have cyano bacteria.

here is a link about algae control that Falstaf came up with:
http://www.cam.org/~tomlins/algae.html#abstract
Frank also had a good link, which I can't find right now, but if he's around I'm sure he can supply you with it.

again, good luck