Fox Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 For the past month or so I have been fighting an algae bloom in my 90 gal tank...I have been doing frequent small water changes and have cut back how much I have been feeding them even though I don't think I feed them too much...the tank stays clean and I keep up on maintenance but I cant seem to resolve this. I am about ready to go out and buy a UV filter to combat it but I am wondering if anyone can offer any suggestions as it seems to be starting to affect my male peacock and one of my mbuna's... Any help would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 You need to cut out the light . Complete darkness for 3 days will starve it out . You may need to repeat the process but this is the only natural way . I would feed my fish and then cover the tank with a blanket . To check on it , peek at night with a flashlight . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmaan. Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 to much light? what kind of lighting are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rED O Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) ditto, cut back on your lighting times. Also try not to feed as much and do you ever gravel vac when you do water changes? Edited February 23, 2009 by rED O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatica Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 What type of algae is it that you a dealing with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JORG Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I would just get a small uv sterilizer and not worry about it anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I would just get a small uv sterilizer and not worry about it anymore I ended up getting one last night. I didnt really notice a change in the morning but I wasn't really expecting results over night...hopefully couple days it'll be all good...any idea how long it should take for 90 gal tank? The UV filter I got says its rated for 125 gal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 IME, a UV sterilizer will only really do any good agains Green Water. If your tank isn't a PLANTED tank, then 10hrs is the max time you should have your lights on. If you want, you can just turn on the lights when you're home - they don't need to be on all day. I have one tank that only gets ambient lighting and the fish are doing great - the swordtails look like they're about ready to give birth!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 IME, a UV sterilizer will only really do any good agains Green Water. If your tank isn't a PLANTED tank, then 10hrs is the max time you should have your lights on. If you want, you can just turn on the lights when you're home - they don't need to be on all day. I have one tank that only gets ambient lighting and the fish are doing great - the swordtails look like they're about ready to give birth!. Green water is exactly what I have been fighting...I have stopped turning on the light in the morning and only turn it on when I get home...the water has already started to clear up since putting the UV sterilizer on but its not 100% yet but it certainly seems to be helping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscusKeeper403 Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) Never mind, should have read the whole thing. Edited February 25, 2009 by DiscusLova Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Never mind, should have read the whole thing. Hehe no Worries....Congrats on the swordtails btw...my big electric yellow is carrying...I am hoping they make it this time...I didn't have much luck with my peacocks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 OK that UV filter is absolutely glorious...my water hasn't been this clear since the first day I filled it and I am sure its even better now...I encourage everyone that has my problem to give them a try if they can afford it...best investment i have made yet...I am actually enjoying my fish again!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscusKeeper403 Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 OK that UV filter is absolutely glorious...my water hasn't been this clear since the first day I filled it and I am sure its even better now...I encourage everyone that has my problem to give them a try if they can afford it...best investment i have made yet...I am actually enjoying my fish again!!! Yep. If all else fails this will almost always work. I like to recommend it to my customers but a lot of them try to go for the more affordable options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 UV's are awesome, they will also help if you happen to get green dust algae in your tank. It is just when you need to replace the bulb when it is a pain and can be a real expense. I suggest when the algae bloom clears to shut off the UV, otherwise you will find yourself buying a new bulb more often than you should have to. I would mainly only use them for problems like that, or when I would start to see signs of gill flukes. That reminds me, I need to go and get a replacement bulb for mine............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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