How do I get rid of algae in a 55g tank

drewsuf82 · 09-14-2012, 02:20 AM

Hey everyone,

I have a 55 gallon that wouldnt be what I consider a high tech/light tank, however the tank does get some non-direct sunlight well a good chunk of indirect light...

Tank is planted
55 gallon
Currently has a fair amount of wisteria, java fern, Xmas moss
Fish in the tank are light a few mollies and a few guppies.

The levels are good you know the nitrates nitrites ammonia etc etc...

However I keep getting this super tough glass algae

Right now I'm sitting at 30 watts of light and I'm getting ready to upgrade the light here soon, well I'm not even sure if I need to or if I need to start looking to co2 or what

Any help would be great

cradleoffilthfan · 09-14-2012, 07:10 AM

If it were me, I would throw in some really fast growing stem plants. I like the Rotala Rotundifolia/Indica type. Help suck up any excess nutrients. There are a lot of slow growers in your tank, maybe you just need a little growth in there.

jncme · 09-14-2012, 12:34 PM

move the tank, buy some curtains, lower your light hours, proper dosing, nerite snails

**mistergreen** · 09-14-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jncme

move the tank, buy some curtains, lower your light hours, proper dosing, nerite snails

+1. Wisteria is a fast growing plant so that'll cover the fast growing plant suggestion.

Steveboos · 09-14-2012, 03:46 PM

Wisteria is an amazing plant at soaking Nutrients. I would do a siesta period in your cycle to reduce the glass algae. I run my tanks 4 hours on, 2 hours off, 3 hours on. This has STOPPED my algae and my plants still thrive.

drewsuf82 · 09-17-2012, 03:42 AM

I will try to run with the lights on that time schedule, I just took the scraper to it here the other day I am trying to come up with ways to keep it from coming back. I don't mind it on the rocks as it adds to a more natural look to the tank.

However I would prefer to keep it off filter intakes and glass.

I don't need a CO2 system at these light levels do I?

chew · 09-17-2012, 04:24 AM

What kind of light do you have and how far from bottom of the tank? Usually with high light you need co2 but in any setup it's always beneficial. 30w doesn't really tell much on what kind of lighting you have, check the lighting section and hoppy has a really useful light chart thats more accurate than wpg

09-14-2012, 02:20 AM	#1
drewsuf82 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port Richey, FL Posts: 894	How do I get rid of algae in a 55g tank Hey everyone, I have a 55 gallon that wouldnt be what I consider a high tech/light tank, however the tank does get some non-direct sunlight well a good chunk of indirect light... Tank is planted 55 gallon Currently has a fair amount of wisteria, java fern, Xmas moss Fish in the tank are light a few mollies and a few guppies. The levels are good you know the nitrates nitrites ammonia etc etc... However I keep getting this super tough glass algae Right now I'm sitting at 30 watts of light and I'm getting ready to upgrade the light here soon, well I'm not even sure if I need to or if I need to start looking to co2 or what Any help would be great Last edited by drewsuf82; 09-14-2012 at 02:30 AM.. Reason: Title

09-14-2012, 12:34 PM	#3
jncme Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: GA Posts: 143	move the tank, buy some curtains, lower your light hours, proper dosing, nerite snails __________________ jncme's rites of flourish jncme's Ancient Depths

09-14-2012, 03:46 PM	#5
Steveboos Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 109	Wisteria is an amazing plant at soaking Nutrients. I would do a siesta period in your cycle to reduce the glass algae. I run my tanks 4 hours on, 2 hours off, 3 hours on. This has STOPPED my algae and my plants still thrive. __________________ 125 Gallon Dirted/Fully Planted Community Tank 55 Gallon Amazon Tiger Barb Tank 29 Gallon CRS Shrimp Tank 20 Gallon Yellow Neo Tank 20 Gallon Half Moon Amazon Serpea Tank. 10 Gallon Blue Velvet Neo's 10 Gallon Betta/Cherry Neo Tank 10 Gallon Betta Tank 12G Rimless Club

09-17-2012, 04:24 AM	#7
chew Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: sacramento Posts: 265	What kind of light do you have and how far from bottom of the tank? Usually with high light you need co2 but in any setup it's always beneficial. 30w doesn't really tell much on what kind of lighting you have, check the lighting section and hoppy has a really useful light chart thats more accurate than wpg __________________ 20L Journal

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09-14-2012, 07:10 AM	#2
cradleoffilthfan Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 323	If it were me, I would throw in some really fast growing stem plants. I like the Rotala Rotundifolia/Indica type. Help suck up any excess nutrients. There are a lot of slow growers in your tank, maybe you just need a little growth in there.

09-17-2012, 03:42 AM	#6
drewsuf82 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port Richey, FL Posts: 894	I will try to run with the lights on that time schedule, I just took the scraper to it here the other day I am trying to come up with ways to keep it from coming back. I don't mind it on the rocks as it adds to a more natural look to the tank. However I would prefer to keep it off filter intakes and glass. I don't need a CO2 system at these light levels do I?