Algae problems on glass and a bit on sand (What to do?)

[chrisbenavides]

Well I am having a bit of a problem lately with algae on my glass and some on my sand. Yes I know I am not using RO/DI water yet, but I am using Ozarka's Distilled water and I still get algae. Different kinds of algae too. There is a green transparent type on the glass, and there is another one that forms circles (and harder to scrape off), and there is a rather purple one (I believe hair algae) thats growing on the back glass. I am also getting a "moss-like" growth on some of my rocks. My tank is about 5 months old.

What to do???

Any help would be good. THANKS!

- Chris

 

[doodoobrown]

if by purple you mean reddish its cyano most likely. water flow is extremely important, that will help quite a bit. also if you not using ro you are probably adding phosphates to the water which will feed the algae(even if its ozark). i would do a test for phosphates or take it to a fish store and let them do it for you if you dont have a kit. you sure the circles that are hard to scrap off the glass arent coralline starting to form?

 

[chrisbenavides]

I think that the circles that are starting to form are coralline. It is hard to scrape off, but I don't want it on the glass, nor on the powerheads.

Hey would that product that I believe Kent makes called Phosphasponge or something like that (a phosphate sponge that goes in the filter). Is it any good?

THANKS!!!

 

[new2u]

I wouldn't worry about the Coraline on the Powerheads, It helps them blend (coming from the algea king over here....) in more imho

 

[doodoobrown]

i have heard ups and downs. the problem woud still be your water. even if you get a some sort of phosphate remover it will just be temporary. you would be much better off spending the money on an ro/di unit than buying the ozark and phosphate removers. otherwise every time you add or change water you are just feeding the problem. before we jump the gun test it first and make sure thats the problem. i can understand not wanting the coralline on the glass but its not gonna hurt your powerheads. after a while it will help them blend in to your tank and you wont even notice them