Algae Build-up

[Pwat]

On my tank's clear sides (which i believe are made out of acrylic, not sure) i keep getting the same build-up of algae (just normal green algae) after i have scraped it off. I use one of those magnet scrapers that reside on both sides of the glass. I don't exactly understand why the algae is building up quicker than before and i was wondering how i can just keep it off. Any help will be thankful however i'm not planning on taking all of my fish out right now and cleaning my tank with bleach or clorox or whatever i need to use to clean it..., if you know where i'm going here.

Pwat

[D.Gray]

no need to bleach your tank.

cut the light and amount of feed and you should be able to get control of the algae.

Dave

[Pwat]

Okay thanks for the reassuring Dave! To be honest i keep my light on for not that long (about 3-5 hours) but now that i finally realized one thing that's really stupid is that the tank is somewhat close to the lighting from my window, WHICH DOES NOT RECEIVE DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I guess the indirect sunlight still changes things.

Thanks,
Pwat

[Dano]

Google API Algaefix and read the instructions and reviews......I recently started using it and so far it does what it is advertised to do.....Food for thought..

[alan j t]

i know that fish food can cause algea because it has some phosphates in it. and sometimes if the bulb is old it could cause algea,but to me thats a good excuse to buy a cool algea eating crew

[valley]

is your tank glass, or acrillic, sometimes, acrillic can become scratched although not always visible, and algie builds up much faster on the areas,,
we have more natural day light during the summer months ,so less lighting is required at the moment and of course depending where your tank is situated,
the magnet cleaners are not suitable for acrillic tanks,glass only,cleaning every day or every other day will keep the algie at bay.and you can obtain special cloths for the acrillic tanks from local aquatic stores,

[Pwat]

Okay thank you so much for this info! Valley, i didn't know about that but i'll stop using it and only use it in my 20 gallon from now on. I'm still not sure if it's acrylic or glass, i'll keep researching. Alan, i just changed my lights a few weeks ago so they should be fine, and Dano i might use the Algaefix, however my betta is in that tank and aren't betta's very fragile to medication? Or i'll just go with the soft sponge.

[moparmutt]

Algaefix worked good in my tank. I didn't see any side effects. I used it for a couple weeks then really cleaned it and the algae has been more under control.

[alan j t]

im not familiar with using the algaefix product,
but it sounds like a band aid instead of a fix

you wrote that the algea is coming back faster
and the light was replaced recently

the algea is present because of an imbalance,
i say get some floating plants to absorb some excess nutrients

maybe some food is not being eaten and creating some extra nitrates

my bro in law has the same issues and i gave hime some mollies and an algea eater,its gone down a bit

but if the product can fix it please let us know
that something i woulod reccomend as well