Habitat - Indoor :: Algae on tank equipments

[kkhchiu]

I found that some algae is developing on the basking platform (large size tutle dock) and rocks in the tank, as well as some substrate, should I clean them up when I do my next water change?

Water Temperature is between 78-80F and basking area air temperature is at 92.5F.

I'm running an Eheim 2026 filter which is for a 90Gal tank, currently the tank is about 30% filled (tank is 75Gal in size). It's been up for about 6 weeks, and I haven't done any filter media or filter pad changes yet, is this a sign that it's time for filter maintenance?

Is there any ways to keep algae from the tank? If necessary, I can add phosphate absorbing media into the filter as well.

Your help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken

[Muirner]

From what i have read, there are a few ways that you can help deal with algae.

Just to note, the nutrience that algae needs to grow, attaches its self to air. This will be important.

First there is a simple method that will help a little bit. This is with plants. You can put plants in your tank and they will help to draw some of the nutrience out of the water, thus helping the situation. Some plants that are to be looked into are ones that hang on the top of the tank, these have long roots and defentally help. Currently i have 2 bunches of anachris, 1 banana plant, 1 green fern, 1 amazon sward, and 1 other plant my buddie gave me...

Second, you can use things as simple as a bubble stone. The nutrience will attach to the bubbles and rise to the surface. While you might not notice much difference, it is doing something.

Lastly, just like they use in a saltwater setup. Use a protein skimmer. These will inject micro bubbles into the water, and have it get forced up a tube, the result is the impurities go to the collection bowl and you can take them out, and not have algae. Prices range from 40 to several thousand dollars.

[cam722]

Something else you need to check on is if your tank is near sunlight. That also helps the algae grow. I noticed that the UVB light also helped with this... well it wasn't a help more a problem..

[Muirner]

i do knowtice that too cam, my UVB points directly on my dock, and that is where i get the most algae, speaking of which i have to clean that up tomorow.

[kkhchiu]

Thanks for all the replies.

Muirner:
I understand most of the plants would be able to take the excess nutrients from the water, unfortunately, my wife would like to stay away from real plants. But this would be something to consider should the problem worsen. I've just done a 50% water change today, and use a soft tooth brush (brand new) to clean up the algae on the turgle dock and the rocks. Hope it gets better.

Cam:
The tank does not have direct sun light, given we have nothing but miserable weather the last 3 weeks here in Toronto, that should play even less of a role, plus when my wife gave the tank an hour of sun light before, it was doing fine, until 3 weeks ago....and my UVB light is not right on top of the turtle dock where the most algae is found.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Muirner]

Try looking to an airstone, or a bubble curtain, this will help... maybe even a protein skimmer is a good idea for you.