How to control an Algae bloom ?

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I have (2) tanks running in my den.  They sit side by side against the south wall, however the green tank is right next to the window and the window is facing west.  So no DIRECT sunlight is getting into the tank but thier is in-direct sunlight that comes thru the window.  The tank next to the window has formed an algae bloom and is very green and cloudy.  The other tank is crystal clear. I have the lights on both tanks set on the same timer and are on between 1PM and 9:30pm each day. I feed the fish once a day @ around 7pm (NLS pellets).  I also do 50% WC every week.

My perameters are as follows:

0 ppm Ammonia
0 ppm Nitrites
30 ppm Nitrates
PH = 8.0

After reading up on Algae blooms, I understand that they are caused by several factors - one being over exposure to light and another being too many nutrients in the water.  As I understand it, to eliminate the algae bloom you need to control one of those factors.  Ok so I cut down on my feeding and limit the time the light is turned on.

I plan on doing a 50% WC and then darkening the tank for 48 hours (cover with black plastic trash bags) and then do another 50% WC.

That should eliminate the existing algae bloom.

However, I would like to try to prevent it from coming back.  I will do this by reducing the ammount of food I put in the tank and cut down the time the light in on in the tank.  The other thing I plan on doing is keeping the shade closed on the window that is next to the aquarium.

Is there anything else I can do to help control an algae bloom ?   

Would anyone recommend using an in-line UV Sterilizer ?

[four_by_ken]

Never had a tank do this before.

I only turn my lights on in the evening.  Rarely in the day, maybe some weekend days, but that is it.

Funny, I never even heard the term "algae bloom" until recently.

[four_by_ken]

Oh, and two of my tanks get direct sunlight at least some part of the day.

You sure find some strange problems.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Yeah it is weird... The one tank you cannot see thru the other tank is crystal clear...   I do the same WC at the same time on both tanks. The perameters are exactly the same on both tanks... in fact the green tank has less fish in it than the other tank albiet they are bigger fish.... Both tanks have (2) 300 gph filters running on them.  It must be a sunlight issue...

[linuxrulesusa]

Yeah, block the light from the window somehow (e.g put a background on the tank maybe).  I have a little 2g hex sitting in the window that is almost bright green.  Even indirect will grown the green algae sometimes.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Well I ended up doing a substrate swap from gravel to sand and have kept the lights off for a couple of days now.  The algae bloom is now under control and the Peacocks and Haps love the new sand. 

I attribute the extra nutrients in the water from all of the breeding activity that is going on in my "ALL MALE" show tank.  Those confounded sub-adult males are turning into holding females and is causing havok amoung the dominant males in the tank.

I have a specific dominant Sunburst peacock who would constantly reshape the aquascape (aka gravel) in the tank.  My hope is that it will be harder for him to re-scape sand, but I am not holding my breath....

[Super Turtleman]

It's easier to move the sand. They just grab a mouthful and spit it out.

[LoveTheFishies]

Black out the back of the tank.  This algae inhibitor will help too.

http://www.amazon.com/API-Algaefix-Algae-Control-4-Ounce/dp/B00025YVHG/ref=sr_1_18?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1372281332&sr=1-18&keywords=algaecide

[danielratti]

You check your phosphates?

[Ron]

I attribute the extra nutrients in the water from all of the breeding activity that is going on in my "ALL MALE" show tank.  Those confounded sub-adult males are turning into holding females and is causing havok amoung the dominant males in the tank.

That was tongue in cheek, yes?

The root of your problem is nutrients IMO. You're either feeding too much, not properly handling the nitrogen cycle at some stage, or a combination of both.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Yeah I am probably feeding them too much....  I have scaled that back to every other day now since the algae breakout.  Once I swapped the Gravel to the sand and did a major WC 75% + the algae bloom has all but gone away.  I also have matrix in each of the filters with sponges as the mechanical filtration. I clean those out roughly every 3 weeks or so when I see the gph decrease...Just a simple rinse, I do not scrub it clean. I understand that all that slim is the good bacteria and I don't want to harm that in any way.. I also syphon out the sand / gravel at the same time and my water tests keep coming back very good...

I did some research on the AlgaeFix,  looks to work good when you reduce the dosage by 2/3's the recommended dose on a heavily aglae tank...Must be very careful when dosing as the dead algae builds up quickly and reduces the ammount of oxigen in the tank causing addition stress on the fish...

I try not to add any outside chemicals into my tanks,  I already had a very bad experience using a buffer a couple of months back.  So I will be increasing my WC's and maintenance on the tanks during these hot months to avoid any further outbreaks.

Thanks to those who responded for you assistance - I luv this forum, you guys are so helpful...