Habitat - Indoor :: golden algae

[x3shift]

ive had a lot of problem with golden algae. i clean the whole tank once per month and everytime i clean it and wait about 1 week, the algae comes back and covers the entire floor, wall, and decor in the tank. does this harm the turtles? should i get a pleco? dojo loach? yes i'm aware the turtles might eat it but i think the pleco and loach can outrun the turtles.

[steve]

I'm not to familiar with golden algae but it does sound like it is excessive. Have you tried controlling the light sources?

[x3shift]

how do u control the light source? the light source is the uva and uvb bulbs for the turtle. the golden algae looks like green algae except that its golden in color. i have green algae on the rock platform where the turtles bask and golden algae everywhere else.

[steve]

You can limit the length of time the lights are on (with timers), make sure no direct or indirect sunlight reaches the tank, clean as much of the existing algae off and have lamp fixtures that direct the UVA/UVB over the basking area.

[SpotsMama]

Having living plants - like anacharis - in a tank also helps keep algae down as the plants consume some of the nutrients that would help the algae grow.

It's hard, though, to keep living plants in a turtle tank because the turtle will keep eating them. I just keep replacing the plants as fast as my turtle eats them.