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Algae
By GuppyLuver15 from the GuppyLuver15 department, Section Ask Guppylog Posted on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 12:13:46 PM PST Tags: (all tags)

Hi,

I have a cousin that has a 1.5 gallon tank that is hexogonal. She kept 2 goldfish in it. She and her mom kept it in their basement (which is refinished with a rug and couches etc.) The tank always got algae in it for some reason. They constantly (literally every 2 days) had to take out the fish, set new water up, and clean it. It was not in the sunlight; it was in the dark. Could the basement have been too damp? Why did it get algae in it if it was out of the sunlight?
Thank you for your replies!
GuppyLuver15

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Algae | 7 comments (6 topical, 1 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Algae (none / 0) (#2)
by miskairal on Sun Feb 27, 2005 at 12:37:47 AM PST

Umm, no one has answered you so far. I'm assuming that's b/c it's only occurred for us when the culprit was sunlight or too much light.

1.5 gallons is way small for 2 goldfish.

I believe that alagae thrives on nitrAtes and you get high nitrAtes from overfeeding (more poo fertilizer) and/or poor tank maintenance (normal feeding of too many fish in a small tank would also make for high levels of nitrates). Sometimes the initial water source (tap/council) is high in nitrates. Live plants compete with the algae for the nutritious nitrates. I'm sure that light in some form would have to be present as well though. Does that basement have any windows at all?

I've read that when you get an algae bloom, where the water turns green not just the tank contents, that increasing the water changes can make it worse but I've also read that it makes it better.

Not an answer but just some things I have learnt.

Cheerio
miskairal
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Re: Algae (none / 0) (#3)
by GuppyLuver15 on Sun Feb 27, 2005 at 11:55:33 AM PST

Yes, there are some windows, but on the far side of where the fish tank was... Thank you for your help! I asked that because I want to give my cousin some of my guppies. But her mom doesn't want them because she thinks that the tank will keep getting algae in it... So I am trying to find ways of how to prevent it. Thanks again!
Guppy Luver
[ Parent ]

Re: Algae (none / 0) (#4)
by miskairal on Sun Feb 27, 2005 at 07:43:43 PM PST

Do those far windows ever get sun shining in?

My tank went green and I was lost for cause until I happened to come in early from milking one day and discovered that the sun in winter was managing to shine right across the room, about 15 feet!
--
Repeat after me,
I will read the Immediate Help
[ Parent ]

Re: Algae (none / 0) (#5)
by GuppyLuver15 on Tue Mar 01, 2005 at 07:00:28 AM PST

I don't think it can reach that far, it is very dark there and there is a porch to over up the sunlight!
Guppy Luver
[ Parent ]

Algae | 7 comments (6 topical, 1 editorial, 0 hidden)

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