chemicals for algae

Lindsey · 07-23-2008, 08:36 PM

what is the best chemical for algae that won't hurt my fish or snails?

trashion · 07-23-2008, 08:40 PM

Best way to treat algae: more water changes, less light.

Chemicals are often ineffective and are harmful to fish and snails.

How often do you change water/how long do you leave the lights on?

BV77 · 07-23-2008, 08:46 PM

I, too am against chemicals to cure a problem. An algae free tank is the result of a BALANCE of light, nutrients and CO2.
It is up to the fishkeeper to find that balance by trial and error..
First, I'd look at my lighting...how long are the lights on? maybe adjust that with timers
Then how often and how much are you fertilizing,,,,also feeding?
Food decays and adds ammonia to the tank...nitrates are depleted and then cyanobacteria thrive.
Then consider CO2...either DIY or pressurized.
A high light tank with lots of ferts will probably require some added CO2. This can also be supplemented with Flourish Excel

Lindsey · 07-23-2008, 08:50 PM

I do about 30% water changes every Sunday and keep my light on 10 hours a day. It's low light (15 watts for a 20 gal tank). As of right now I am not using any fertilizer for my plants, could that be the problem?

**TheOldSalt** · 07-24-2008, 02:54 AM

Your plants can't outcompete the algae under these conditions. Fertilizer would probably only make things worse without more light. The algae have enough light, but the plants don't.

COM · 07-24-2008, 08:59 AM

There are other causes for algae. Sometimes it comes to us in our tap water, so regular maintenance actually adds to the problem.

Almost all algae chemicals indicate that they can't be used in tanks with invertebrates (snails, shrimp, etc.).

07-23-2008, 08:36 PM	#1
Lindsey Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WA Age: 23 Posts: 43	chemicals for algae what is the best chemical for algae that won't hurt my fish or snails? __________________ 20 gallon low-light planted freshwater 4 bloodfin tetras (will be adding two more) 3 bronze corydoras 2 kuhli loaches wishlist: 6 Cochu's Blue Tetra 10 gallon shellies tank 6 Neolamprologus multifasciatus

07-23-2008, 08:40 PM	#2
trashion girl anachronism Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,409	Best way to treat algae: more water changes, less light. Chemicals are often ineffective and are harmful to fish and snails. How often do you change water/how long do you leave the lights on? __________________ current setup: 5.5 gallon low-light planted tank -nothing....thinking a mini-community. for reference: my name is Julie

07-23-2008, 08:50 PM	#4
Lindsey Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WA Age: 23 Posts: 43	I do about 30% water changes every Sunday and keep my light on 10 hours a day. It's low light (15 watts for a 20 gal tank). As of right now I am not using any fertilizer for my plants, could that be the problem? __________________ 20 gallon low-light planted freshwater 4 bloodfin tetras (will be adding two more) 3 bronze corydoras 2 kuhli loaches wishlist: 6 Cochu's Blue Tetra 10 gallon shellies tank 6 Neolamprologus multifasciatus

07-24-2008, 08:59 AM	#6
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 753	There are other causes for algae. Sometimes it comes to us in our tap water, so regular maintenance actually adds to the problem. Almost all algae chemicals indicate that they can't be used in tanks with invertebrates (snails, shrimp, etc.). __________________ 3 Planted Tanks: 10g, 20g, and 29g

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07-23-2008, 08:46 PM	#3
BV77 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 509	I, too am against chemicals to cure a problem. An algae free tank is the result of a BALANCE of light, nutrients and CO2. It is up to the fishkeeper to find that balance by trial and error.. First, I'd look at my lighting...how long are the lights on? maybe adjust that with timers Then how often and how much are you fertilizing,,,,also feeding? Food decays and adds ammonia to the tank...nitrates are depleted and then cyanobacteria thrive. Then consider CO2...either DIY or pressurized. A high light tank with lots of ferts will probably require some added CO2. This can also be supplemented with Flourish Excel

07-24-2008, 02:54 AM	#5
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,476	Your plants can't outcompete the algae under these conditions. Fertilizer would probably only make things worse without more light. The algae have enough light, but the plants don't.

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