General Care Discussion :: Algae???

[Deezer]

So you'll only need to clean it once again and then maintain low levels of nitrates, etc. This is done by either frequent water changes or filter media (but I don't know the English words for the medias that terminate nitrates, etc.). Using anti-algae chemicals is another way to go.

[Rickiew04]

I'm guessing I have high levels of phosphates. I do not have a test for that yet. I've tested for Nitrates and the results say I have none. I guess I'll go and look for a phosphate test. Is there a way to get rid of phosphates?

[SpotsMama]

I have to ask - are you sure your test is for nitrates and not nitrites? A turtle tank that's well maintained and with a decent filter will have zero nitrites but will usually have some level of nitrates. The way to get rid of nitrates is to change the water. Also, living plants will consume nitrates - if you have a number of them in a tank they will keep the nitrate level lower.

And the way to get rid of phosphates would be like for nitrates - periodic partial water changes.

[octpusgirl8]

I have a special filter thingy that removes phosphates, in my tank it seemed that i couldn't keep low phosphate levels without doing a partial water change every single day, and i just can't deal with that. I also got really tired of constantly cleaning the algae from my tank, basking dock, and turtle. Depending on the level of phosphates and the type of filter you have you can get media such as phos-ban for it.

[Rickiew04]

I'm sure I'm using the right test. I use the API master test kit that has both the Nitrite test and the Nitrate test. I threw out the first Nitrate test that came with it because I thought it might have been contaminated because it would never say that I have and Nitrates. So I bought the same Nitrate test from API and now I'm using that. But that also says I still have no Nitrates.

[marisa]

If it's not a lot, is on the edges of basking area and the water is clear, I'd just leave it. If it's on the tank, I'd just clean it when I change the water.

What's the temp of the water and basking area?

How long do you have the lights on?

[Rickiew04]

Its on the glass on the bottom of the tank and will eventually go up on the sides I imagine. The water temp is 77-78degrees and the basking temp is around 92. I was having the lights on for 12 hours a day, but I just adjusted the timer so that they are on 10 hours a day. Hopefully that will help some with the algae.

[marisa]

I should have asked---how big is the tank? With 10 and 20-gallon tanks, a litle algae would always develop on the sides at the bottom and in the corners. If the tank is smaller, that 92F temp might be heating the water too much. Cutting down the hours the lights are on should help (and the days are getting shorter as well, so that's fine), but you also might want to drop the temps a few degrees (warmth encourages algae as well). You probably won't eliminate the algae completely, though.

[Rickiew04]

I have a 55 gallon tank filled about 16in high.

[marisa]

Try lowering the temps just a bit.

[Rickiew04]

Even the water temp? My turtle Wilson is only about 1 1/2 in. I thought that was what the water temp should be for small turtles. Thanks for your help by the way!

[marisa]

I'd lower the basking area temp a bit, then. Perhaps the shortened lighting hours will help as well. (As would partial water changes to dilute the nutrients in the water.)

[Rickiew04]

Ok will do. I just did about a 1/3 water change. Thanks again!

[Stalfos]

I'm having a similar problem with the algae. Since my PPMs for nitrites is less than 0.5 and my nitrates is less than 30, I'm going to assume it's my UVB light that's pointed on the water. Is there any serious problems that can come from too much algae, or is it mostly cosmetic problems? I've got a 20gL, and the tank is near a window.

Sorry for maybe jacking your post.

[marisa]

Algae won't hurt your turtle. The biggest problem is that if gets out of control, you'll have a lot of green in the tank. I have it on the edges of my RES's basking area and I just leave it because I think it adds to the naturalness of the tank.

If you're finding that you're getting a lot of algae, you might move the tank away from the window. Also, although the nitrate level shouldn't go over 40, you might try to lower it further than it is by doing partial water changes. This would help dilute the nutrients in the tank that algae feed on.

What's the water temp?

How long do you leave the lights on?