Aghhh! I hate Algae!

[onebettarepublic]

Okay, I don't know the readings in my tank, but it's cycled and I do regular 20-25 percent water changes weekly/  I have major algae issues....One is a 46 gal cichlid tank, and one is a 55 gal community tank...All fish are healthy and the only issue i've dealt with on a continuous basis in an algae issue...I don't really want to buy algae eaters unless they will be unobtrusive, unagressive, and work in the tank.  I could up the water change regimine...I added floating plants hoping they would use the nutrients that the algae need. But not so much...today I took the plants out because there was hair algae growing on them!  I scrape it off the glass which i don't mind...but it's on my silk plants & decorations and just becoming a pain in the bum.  Does anyone use any chemicals that work? The light in one tank is too high but the other is just a regular florescent and i only keep these lights on from about 4pm to 10pm> Any suggestions? With healthy stocked tanks should I do more changes weekly?
and if I buy a vaccumn that hooks up to the sink, how do you add dechlor?
Ps I have read Esabees article and some others I just am not getting it, I can't really afford much in the way of equiptment for higher water flow,
The 55 has two 30-60 wispers on it, and the 46 has an aquaclear 500.

[onebettarepublic]

Anyone?

[onebettarepublic]

Okay not getting any bites   Short of getting a algae eater, changing lights, or planting and getting all the equiptment nesscessary to do that, what can I do?  Think I'll test the water and see what nitrates are...I really don't mind cleaning the glass, but the fake silk plants are a hassle....What about soaking them in algae destroyer? Is that safe?  any suggestions?

[Cholly]

Chemicals are generally not a good idea, especially if you have sensitive fish or any live plants. Check phosphate levels, I have phosphates in my water and it can be a major PITA. I use aponageton bulbs to suck out the nutrients, both nitrates and phosphates, they grow really fast and so out compete the algae. There are several types you can get, two are available at Wally World, the dwarf lily grows a little slower(and lasts longer) but you can re-use both types if when they die back you throw the bulbs in a baggie and toss the baggie in the fridge for a month or two. Doesn't always work, but it reduces the cost of the bulbs.

[onebettarepublic]

Thanks Cholly, I went today and bought some food and new cartridges....Yeah about the only thing I use in my tanks is salt and stress coat...I'm just getting frusterated. Today I cleaned all glass, including the back, all the uptake tubes, some of the plants...(fake silk)
I might try some of those bulbs.  How many would I need to compete for the algae in a 55.
It's stocked well. Two whisper 30-60 hob filters....Any other suggestions welcome.

[Cholly]

Initially, I'd use an entire package, 4 to 6 bulbs. I just throw in 2 or 3 when I notice a build up starting now.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. Since I started the new job I rarely get to too many subforums that I don't moderate. I used read almost all of them while I was unemployed, lol.

[onebettarepublic]

Okay....didnt get the bulbs yet....been fooling with our new dog boscoe alot...i am considering gettin some otos....now i have some sort of brush algae growing off the tips of silk plants....q's
1.  do ottos eat all types of algae.
2.  do they prefer algae or are the omnivores?
3. will pictus pixk on them?
4.  i have 3 pictus 7 red eye tetras,7 lemon tetras,and 6 platies...how many should i add? (55 gal) and could i add 3 more platies?

[Cholly]

Oto's are pretty tiny, pictus may outright swallow them. Recommend something larger with pictus, bristlenose plecos or SAE's.
#4 question, easily, along 3 or 4 BN's or SAE's

[onebettarepublic]

I hear sae are nasty in the long run...Will BN Plecs not compete for bottom space with the pictus and add to the bio load?
Well today I bought two packs of those apogeton bulbs....And three more platies....I am gonna see if the plants help...haven't had luck thus far with floaters or potted plants, just more algae.
WOuld a diy co2 2 liter keep algae in check? I know one set up wouldn't support plant growth...I just want the algae to go away.

[Cholly]

CAE's are the ornery fish, I've had excellent luck with SAE's. Pictus are carnivores, BN's almost exclusively herbivores. A little competition for space, not much, and almost no competition for food, they eat different things. Any fish adds to the bio load but you've got room in that tank IMO.