Mad Fish Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Hello There, I've been a keen fish keeper for a few years now and are still learning. I have a little black brush algae which I have now got saimese flying foxes taking care of that, however recently at the LFS I was told I've got the Algae because I'm having my light on for too long. Usually I have it on for 13 hours, the LFS suggest 4-6hours is enough! I've since tried this and it has decreased a little, but I don't see the point in having the tank if I cannot enjoy it! Because I cannot see the fish!!! Well that's all I can think of for now - when the pressures on the mind goes blank! Bye Mad Fish - not their owner?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Bad information there. IMO It will grow in the dark that stuff I reacon. Keep up with your Siamese AE and sit back and enjoy watching them mow it down. Ask ya LFS how do daylight hours get shortened to 4 - 6 hrs. in nature. mmmmm?? The fish and plants need it, and of course, so do you!! Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PENEJANE Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 I have been told this very same information and I instantly thought that it was off. Fish from the tropics don't have only 4-6 hrs a day as stated above. I have come to learn to not take the LFS word for everything but to research it and take what I class as the repeative information. I have gone through many sites which will say a lot of things but now and then you will get some information that is repeated over many sites. But thats just me. If in doubt you can always ask here btw Welcome aboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interfecus Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 The best way to prevent problems like this is to introduce another animal to control the algae. This could be an algae-eating fish, some snails, or even more plants that will compete for nutrients and slow the growth of algae. You definitely shouldn't be reducing the light that much just to control the algae. 10 to 12 hours per day is usually fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limegirl Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 While I agree that reducing the light to four to six hours defeats the point of enjoying aquaria - the LFS is kinda half right. See, they may not have only four or six hours of light in the tropics, but that light is a lot less intense than a fluoro two inches from the surface of the water! Get what I mean? In the real world, I think the SAEs are the best option! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HummingBird Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 I would have thought the sun, even millions of miles away, would be more intense than a 40w bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Fish Posted September 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 :lol: Thanks guys!! Now that took much less time than me trying to find it in the links! I'll definately change my timer back and enjoy!!! Maybe even purchase some more munchers!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Mad Fish, let me introduce you to killie fish. There are some lovely little bba munchers out there called Flag killis or Jordanella floridae. Do a search on it so you can recognize it in the LFS or show them a pic of it and see if they can get some in for you. The male is quite colourful, with the female sporting a large spot on the rear of her dorsal fin. They behave a little like cichlids at spawning time, but are a reasonably good community fish as well. Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 I have been told 8 hours... :roll: Algae could also be caused if you have to much waste, nutrients in your water. Then again the amount of phosphates in your tap water can be a cause. Does the algae seem to take off after a water change? Plants help compete for light & nutrients so you can try adding more plants. I set my timer so the tank light comes on just before I get home from work...on at 3pm, off at 10pm. Siamese algae eaters are great too. If your tank is fish only, try a UV sterilizer. Is your tank well filtered, how often do you feed you fish & how often do you do water changes? Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee_jay_01 Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 I have also found that if you get a lower spectrum globe for your tank that is specified as a all purpose globe (around the 36w) and not only for plant growth it should decrease the algea in your tank almost over night, (Well it did for mine anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Fish Posted September 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 :roll: Hi! Have taken on board all your advice, thank you! My fish tank is a community tank and is 4ft, I have approximately 19 fish and do water changes every 3 weeks. It doesn't seem to take off after a water change. I feed them once a day and only a small amount. The water in my area in Melbourne is very hard and chloriated, so I try to let the water sit before adding it and add a water ager. On that subject can someone tell me the difference between a water ager (de-cloriator) and water conditioner crystals? Thanks for all your great advice and I'm sure this will get a few different opionions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Hi Mad Fish...and welcome to this site! Help...oh...people here are excellent when it comes to that...full of informaiton and always eager to help each other. Take care & have fun, Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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