Habitat - Indoor :: Only the floating dock is green.

[rosanna29]

Hey guys ive got a question. My 20 gallon tank is growing alge. I only have Mikey in it and i have a filter. The thing is the water isnt green only the floating dock is. We did a complete water change about a week ago because of the same thing, and parts of the glass in the tank had started to turn geen as well. All the post that i found included the water turning green as well so im not sure what to do. Any advice is always apreciated.Thanks, Rosanna.

[TexasJagsFan]

Have you placed your setup near a window that gets a lot of sunlight?

[steve]

You can't stop the algae. As soon as it appears, get a toothbrush and scrub it off before it gets out of hand.

[jenaero]

My dock is permanently green and really really stinks. Just the parts that are under water tho so you cant smell it until I take it out to clean. It's ugly, but not harmful. The only way I've tried that works is to take it out, scrub it and lay it on my balcony in the sun for a few days. I have a backup dock for that tho so they always have a basking spot.

[TexasJagsFan]

If you have an airstone, you might want to invest in a good size Pleco, all though, the ph needs to be around 7.0-7.4 and no ammonia must be present in the water.

[marisa]

The heat and light from the basking light contribute to the algae on the part of the dock that's exposed to water. My corkbark has algae on the edges where it dips into the water. I just leave it because I like the way it looks and it doesn't affect my RES's ability to get on and bask. If it's on the dock and makes it slippery, use some white vinegar on it when you clean it (and rinse). The vinegar will clean the dock more thoroughly than water alone; if you don't get as much of the algae as possible, it will come back really quickly.

[BigCT]

This was a reply to a post I had about snails and algae.

Most pet stores carry a brand called AlgaeFix which is manufactured by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. I and other RES owners have used it with good results. 1 tsp.treats 50 gallons and though it is mfd. for ponds, we have found it is also works well in glass tanks or Rubbermaid Totes. I can't recommend any other product because for years, I've only used this one.

I just put this in my tank yesterday, so time will tell how it works for me. I'm also planning on getting a Japanese Black Trapdoor Snail. I've heard mixed reviews about the for algae control. but figured it can't hurt.

Good Luck

[~SweetJean~]

the part of my floating dock that angles into the water turnes green on mine too. I take it out and spray with a kitchen disinfection cleaner with bleach. The grean stuff went away right away. Once youve done that scrub and rinse well before putting it back. I was on the verge of replacing mine with a new one when I tried this and It worked! Good Luck.

[therizman1]

My tank seems to get lots of algae, probably cause it gets a fair amount of sunlight during the day, I cant really help that cause Im in and apt and I only have room in one spot for them. I have noticed Orion and Reyna eating some of the algae before, and I know my snails are and so are the fish, so I just leave it till I clean the tank, then I scrub it all off, and then a week or two later, its all back, but I dont think it is anything to worry about unless you really dont like seeing it in there.

[soopermum62]

A large pleco that a turtle won't bother doesn't clean algae any more.. believe me I know... I had a 11 3/4 inch pleco and a GREEN tank! Scooter's tank goes green fast too and he will eat the algae.
Speedy Squirt and BC's tank doesn't go green as fast (less direct light, more inclosed with tank backing) and I can keep up with the algae cleaning in that tank with a scrubbie..

[rosanna29]

I live in an apartment and the only place where we have room for mikey right now in on the bar in the living room underneath the valted skylights (windows). The tank gets as much sun light as the rest of the room does, if not less, but its not direct. I dont mind the alge, but since i finally got the whole res care under control i just wanted to make sure that i was still doing everything right. I will try all of you suggestions and thanks a bunch!