Algae on the Gravel

Tropical Lee · 08-20-2007, 04:47 PM

Hi Everyone,

Ummm...I am starting to get quite alot of algae growing on quite alot of the stones at the front of my tank (Only at the front).

I have my light on from around 11:30am - 9:30pm. Is this enough or too much lighting?

How can I solve this very annoying problem?

Cheers

Tropical Lee

Mishy · 08-20-2007, 04:52 PM

Throw ín some clown loaches, or bristlenose catfish, that will deal with the problem, or you could take out the rocks, and rinse them off then put them back in.

`Mishy

**Ichthius** · 08-20-2007, 04:55 PM

Uh, no, don't add those fish to your tank. It's far too small. What color is the algae?

TigerBarb12 · 08-20-2007, 06:04 PM

depends, if its brown, or a wierd greenish gold, then its probably harmless, just rinse the rocks off

swordtailbreedr · 08-20-2007, 06:15 PM

YES add clown loaches or a bristlenose catfish! adding fish that get longer than the tank is a good thing!!!

**JustOneMore20** · 08-20-2007, 06:20 PM

No need to be sarcastic now.

TL are all the fish in your sig in the tank? If so, then you don't really have room to add another fish.

How many watts of light are over the tank?

Also, what color is the algae?

Corydora_FREAK · 08-20-2007, 08:16 PM

Rinsing the rocks wont solve anything the algae will just grow back, you need to find the source of the problem. Check the Nitrates, high nitrates can lead to excessive algae growth

Clerk · 08-20-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mishy

Throw ín some clown loaches, or bristlenose catfish, that will deal with the problem, or you could take out the rocks, and rinse them off then put them back in.

`Mishy

Mishy, please refrain from giving poor advice.

I agree with Kristin, no more fish for that size tank. I usually push my algae covered gravel under the other gravel. Not always ideal, but it usually works just fine.

emc7 · 08-20-2007, 11:23 PM

If you don't have live plants, go ahead and cut back on the light hours. The fish won't mind. You could also replace the bulb with a purple "color enhancing" rather than a "plant and aquarium" type bulb (if fluorescent) or lower wattage bulb (if incandescent). Do check your nitrate level also and change water more often if they are high.

swordtailbreedr · 08-21-2007, 02:24 PM

i just flip mine over as it takes like a year to grow...

fishbguy · 08-21-2007, 03:23 PM

my algau colored gets all mixed up when i gravel vac. it's fine for like 2-3 weeks then it comes back. but by that time, it's time for another gravel vac.

Tropical Lee · 08-22-2007, 09:54 AM

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies!
I have recently bought 3 Corydoras to help solve the problem.

Also, my tank is nearly 10 US Gallons not 8. We use litres over in England, so things get a bit mixed up. The guy at the Pet Shop (Store) said that I could have a maximum of about 18 fish...what do you guys think to that???

Cheers

Tropical Lee

fishbguy · 08-22-2007, 10:19 AM

i think it's a lie. with 10 gallons, you are already stocked. 4 platies with the cories, make it almost overstocked because the platies are baby machines. depending on the species of cory, they might out grow your tank. do you know what species you bought?

Tropical Lee · 08-23-2007, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishbguy

Do you know what species you bought?

I'm not to sure but the shop assistant said they won't grow no more than 1.5 - 2".

My tank does look a bit empty though

fishbguy · 08-23-2007, 06:32 AM

empty and stocked are 2 totally different things. it's all about how much waste the fish make. livebearers produce alot of waste, so there for, if you have more livebearers in your tank, you hve less room for other fish.

what do the cories look like? check www.liveaquaria.com and see if they have cories that look like yours.

TigerBarb12 · 08-23-2007, 08:24 AM

maybe you should just boil the gravel?

fishbguy · 08-23-2007, 08:56 AM

that will kill all the beneficial becateria in the gravel. the algae will also just grow again. boiling just kills the algae that is in it already.

**Ichthius** · 08-23-2007, 04:28 PM

Besides the fact that your tank would be over stocked with 18 fish...corydoras don't eat algae, last I checked. If it's brown algae, you may not clean your tank enough or there is too much waste = too many fish or the former.

If it's carpetting over the gravel in thick mats, greenish or bluish in color, then it could be cyanobacteria, which is also a bad thing.

You need to find out what it is. A picture would do wonders.

swordtailbreedr · 08-23-2007, 05:23 PM

ya corys dont eat algea i dont know if anything does off gravel..

Tropical Lee · 08-25-2007, 05:41 AM

They are very similar to these will take a picture of Gravel and Fish tonight.

Cheers

Tropical Lee

http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/231.jpg

08-20-2007, 04:47 PM	#1
Tropical Lee Newbie to the Fish World Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Age: 18 Posts: 14	Algae on the Gravel Hi Everyone, Ummm...I am starting to get quite alot of algae growing on quite alot of the stones at the front of my tank (Only at the front). I have my light on from around 11:30am - 9:30pm. Is this enough or too much lighting? How can I solve this very annoying problem? Cheers Tropical Lee __________________ In my 35 ltr Tank (10 US Gallons): 3x Small Corydoras 2x Platys (M&F) 15x Small Platy 5x Neon Tetra

08-20-2007, 04:52 PM	#2
Mishy Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 16 Posts: 41	Throw ín some clown loaches, or bristlenose catfish, that will deal with the problem, or you could take out the rocks, and rinse them off then put them back in. `Mishy __________________ I bred BGK's in Captivity ACCIDENTLY, one of the HANDFUL of PEOPLE that HAVE The Male died shortly after though from exhaustion I believe -------------------------------------------------- Breeding Bristlenose Catfish -------------------------------------------------- Need any help on breeding livebearers or just the ups and downs on breeding Freshwater fish, Just drop me a PM. `Mishy

08-20-2007, 04:55 PM	#3
Ichthius Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Age: 18 Posts: 966	Uh, no, don't add those fish to your tank. It's far too small. What color is the algae? __________________ - Leah - Aquarium Blog ><(((*>

08-20-2007, 06:04 PM	#4
TigerBarb12 Tiger Barb Alpha Male Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford, OH Age: 16 Posts: 541	depends, if its brown, or a wierd greenish gold, then its probably harmless, just rinse the rocks off __________________ My Tank 38 Gallon: Tiger Barb x5 Serpae Tetra x6 Blue Gourami x1 Bloodfin Tetra x2 Gold Barb x1 10 Gallon: Gold Gourami x1 10 Gallon: 5 Shiners (Wild)

08-20-2007, 06:20 PM	#6
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Age: 22 Posts: 3,598	No need to be sarcastic now. TL are all the fish in your sig in the tank? If so, then you don't really have room to add another fish. How many watts of light are over the tank? Also, what color is the algae? __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g

Members currently in the Chat:3
	Users In Chat Room: Gump, guppy_nut, Osiris Come On In!

08-20-2007, 06:15 PM	#5
swordtailbreedr Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 16 Posts: 400	YES add clown loaches or a bristlenose catfish! adding fish that get longer than the tank is a good thing!!!

08-20-2007, 08:16 PM	#7
Corydora_FREAK FIENDING FOR CORYDORAS! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Middle of Nowhere, New Mexico Age: 20 Posts: 267	Rinsing the rocks wont solve anything the algae will just grow back, you need to find the source of the problem. Check the Nitrates, high nitrates can lead to excessive algae growth __________________

08-20-2007, 11:23 PM	#9
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,304	If you don't have live plants, go ahead and cut back on the light hours. The fish won't mind. You could also replace the bulb with a purple "color enhancing" rather than a "plant and aquarium" type bulb (if fluorescent) or lower wattage bulb (if incandescent). Do check your nitrate level also and change water more often if they are high.

08-21-2007, 02:24 PM	#10
swordtailbreedr Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 16 Posts: 400	i just flip mine over as it takes like a year to grow...

08-21-2007, 03:23 PM	#11
fishbguy I'm watching you Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: michigan Age: 17 Posts: 1,892	my algau colored gets all mixed up when i gravel vac. it's fine for like 2-3 weeks then it comes back. but by that time, it's time for another gravel vac. __________________ I think about you in the summertime And all the good times we had, baby It’s been a few years and I can’t deny The thought of you still makes me crazy I think about you in the summertime Summertime - New Kids On The Block

08-22-2007, 09:54 AM	#12
Tropical Lee Newbie to the Fish World Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Age: 18 Posts: 14	Hi All, Thanks for all the replies! I have recently bought 3 Corydoras to help solve the problem. Also, my tank is nearly 10 US Gallons not 8. We use litres over in England, so things get a bit mixed up. The guy at the Pet Shop (Store) said that I could have a maximum of about 18 fish...what do you guys think to that??? Cheers Tropical Lee __________________ In my 35 ltr Tank (10 US Gallons): 3x Small Corydoras 2x Platys (M&F) 15x Small Platy 5x Neon Tetra

08-22-2007, 10:19 AM	#13
fishbguy I'm watching you Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: michigan Age: 17 Posts: 1,892	i think it's a lie. with 10 gallons, you are already stocked. 4 platies with the cories, make it almost overstocked because the platies are baby machines. depending on the species of cory, they might out grow your tank. do you know what species you bought? __________________ I think about you in the summertime And all the good times we had, baby It’s been a few years and I can’t deny The thought of you still makes me crazy I think about you in the summertime Summertime - New Kids On The Block

08-23-2007, 06:32 AM	#15
fishbguy I'm watching you Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: michigan Age: 17 Posts: 1,892	empty and stocked are 2 totally different things. it's all about how much waste the fish make. livebearers produce alot of waste, so there for, if you have more livebearers in your tank, you hve less room for other fish. what do the cories look like? check www.liveaquaria.com and see if they have cories that look like yours. __________________ I think about you in the summertime And all the good times we had, baby It’s been a few years and I can’t deny The thought of you still makes me crazy I think about you in the summertime Summertime - New Kids On The Block

08-23-2007, 08:24 AM	#16
TigerBarb12 Tiger Barb Alpha Male Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford, OH Age: 16 Posts: 541	maybe you should just boil the gravel? __________________ My Tank 38 Gallon: Tiger Barb x5 Serpae Tetra x6 Blue Gourami x1 Bloodfin Tetra x2 Gold Barb x1 10 Gallon: Gold Gourami x1 10 Gallon: 5 Shiners (Wild)

08-23-2007, 08:56 AM	#17
fishbguy I'm watching you Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: michigan Age: 17 Posts: 1,892	that will kill all the beneficial becateria in the gravel. the algae will also just grow again. boiling just kills the algae that is in it already. __________________ I think about you in the summertime And all the good times we had, baby It’s been a few years and I can’t deny The thought of you still makes me crazy I think about you in the summertime Summertime - New Kids On The Block

08-23-2007, 04:28 PM	#18
Ichthius Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Age: 18 Posts: 966	Besides the fact that your tank would be over stocked with 18 fish...corydoras don't eat algae, last I checked. If it's brown algae, you may not clean your tank enough or there is too much waste = too many fish or the former. If it's carpetting over the gravel in thick mats, greenish or bluish in color, then it could be cyanobacteria, which is also a bad thing. You need to find out what it is. A picture would do wonders. __________________ - Leah - Aquarium Blog ><(((*>

08-23-2007, 05:23 PM	#19
swordtailbreedr Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 16 Posts: 400	ya corys dont eat algea i dont know if anything does off gravel..

08-25-2007, 05:41 AM	#20
Tropical Lee Newbie to the Fish World Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Age: 18 Posts: 14	They are very similar to these will take a picture of Gravel and Fish tonight. Cheers Tropical Lee http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/231.jpg __________________ In my 35 ltr Tank (10 US Gallons): 3x Small Corydoras 2x Platys (M&F) 15x Small Platy 5x Neon Tetra

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