Habitat - Indoor :: Algae Growth

[untsmurf]

Alrighty, I have a new issue with my tank. It's more of a cosmetic problem, but a problem none the less.

I have had an algae bloom recently and I don't know what caused it. It's come within the last two weeks. The only changes I've made, or have occurred, in the tank is the motors for the air stones started slowing down, so fewer bubbles were escaping. I changed the motors out and everything is bubbly again. The other change was I added some Amazon Sword about a week ago. Mikey took one night to realize they were edible and ate everything but the roots, which were left in little piles at the bottom of the tank. It took me maybe three days at most to clean the roots out and when I did that I scooped out the algae that had accumulated towards the front of the tank. It was very thick, like sea weed almost, I was able to hold it, but I thought I got all of it. The next day, there was a fresh new layer of algae growing in the same spot. I did a full tank cleaning that day, scraping the walls and sifting the sand, but I did not clean the filters, I did fill the tank up though. The algae was back again then next day, that was yesterday.

You can sort of see it in this picture. I cleaned it out again this morning, but there are still some spots left in front of the log on the left and around the plant in the very middle:


Is it that I'm not getting all the algae out or do I need to clean the filters? I've done water tests and all my levels are perfect, I can't figure it out.

My tank is 125 gallons, 2 XP3s, three bubble stones, and one 4.75'' turtle. There is nothing else living in the tank.

Any advice is much appreciated

[robind]

Since you say the algae bloom coincided with the air stones slowing down, you might want to service those. Under-aeration of the water can cause a build up of co2, which normally dutch aquarists strive for. But for us, plants are just an expensive turtle buffet, and the co2 build up results in enhanced algae growth (in the absence of established plants).

[untsmurf]

I fixed them when I cleaned the tank, it doesn't seem to have made a difference. The algae growth has slowed, but it's still going on. I don't know what to think.

[MoreBloodWine]

Could also be a lighting thing... I have some algae in Niko's 10g tank but its mostly because of the lighting not that it can be helped. Only thing to do is just keep cleaning it when it look like its starting to pick up.

[untsmurf]

Yeah, I thought about that too, but we've had the same light since we set up the tank. Would it start growing all of a sudden even though it hasn't been changed?

I'm going to sift through the sand a bunch more and see if that helps. It seems like I leave little bits in there and they settle to the top of the sand and start growing again. If that doesn't work, I'll clean the filters.

Any other suggestions are still most appreciated.

[robind]

You might try some of that commercial algae destroyer. I know it's not recommended, but turtles are tough.

[steve]

Unless you thoroughly remove the existing algae, it will recover quickly. Perhaps you can run an algae remover like robind suggested, but only temporary and then return your turtle after changing the water.

[untsmurf]

ok, so I need to add some algae killer to my water, then change the water out once it's had time to circulate? Will the chemical not stay in the sand?

Chris recommended a UV sterilizer, is that a good idea?

[steve]

A UV sterilizer should be highly effective. It's on my gift list

[untsmurf]

I think I'm going to look into them this weekend. I cleaned the tank out a lot the other night but I knew I was unable to get all of it and low and behold, it came back, ugh.

Are there different sizes? If so, what size do you think I'd need for a 125 gallon?

[steve]

I don't know about size, though I'm sure ponds and pools will have different standards. I think the main thing would be replacing the bulb. Let me know what you find out

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Well,I have algae JUST on my basking dock.I have a UVB bulb but I don't have a lamp for it,so I can't use it.The only bulb I have right now is my basking light.

[untsmurf]

We went to the store and found one it was $54. It didn't have a size rating as far as I could tell, but there wasn't a lot of description on the box. The pet store guy was trying to help, but he realized I knew more about my tank than he did . He said that sterilizers are mainly used for green water (algae in the water) instead of algae growth on something like sand. They only had one kind of sterilizer and we were already spending over $100 on other stuff, so I'm going to do some research and see if I can find some other types and more info on them. I'll keep everyone updated.

[robind]

Sorta offtopic: I have a love for building things, and I think it would be pretty cheap to build a highly effective UV sterilizer. UV leds are high enough intensity, especially with more than one of them. Commercial sterilizers usually use quartz to pass the water through, because it does not absorb UV light. I'm thinking there must be some kinda of plastic tubing I can use, but I'm not sure what would be best, in terms of not absorbing UV. Anyone have any ideas?

[Daniel3507]

i had a battle with an algae bloom awhile back. i bought a UV sterilizer that ran inline with my old filter and took care of the green water in a couple days. most of them are rated by the maximum gallons per hour they can handle so it really depends on what filter you have. i would highly recommend one though so best of luck to you