Green Algea Bloom

[Ruminari]

I just recently had a fairly small green algea bloom in my tank. Currently it is limited to only the glass. It is in the very early stages and it kinda resembles brown diatom. My tank parameters are all great. Amonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, PH. I have had my tank for about 3 1/2 months and it has been completely cycled for about 3 1/4 months. As far as algea goes I have progressed from the brown diatom which died off on its own, to red slime (which I cured by only using RO/DI water now), and now I have the green algea just starting. I have noticed the algea growth on the output of my fluval for about 1 1/2 weeks, but just this morning I noticed it on my glass as well (along with my first copeds which are also all over the glass and crawling around like mad). I just wanted to get a head start on this algea bloom so I can snuff it out before it really starts. Any ideas?

Thanks ahead of time.

[Casino]

Its normal to get algea blooms at this stage of your aquarium's life. Using RO/DI water cuts the algea down dramatically. Try to keep Photo Time down and feed less amounts. You will see all colors of the rainbow in algeas till one day it will be no more.

[datman422]

i agree, I too had a the same algae problem around 4months. Many have told me its just a cycle. Check your phosphate level. Phos is the food source for algae. Have you recently up graded your lighting? That too will cause a bloom is algae growth. good luck....

[Ruminari]

I haven't upgraded my lighting same ol same ol. I don't have a phosphate test kit so that is kinda out of the question. Perhaps I'll try taking it to my LFS when I get back from Thanksgiving and see if they have a phosphate test.

[jobryan26]

I have a question about the algea bloom/lighting. How does one determine if the bloom is from the lighting or the startup cycle? If the tank is getting use to the lighting then wouldn't the light need to run more for the tank to adjust to it?

[Casino]

It all depends. You will kinda know by how along your tanks life is. If its new, it could be that its cycling, bad water. If its old you have elevated Phos levels, photo time excessive, close to a window. There alot of factors to analise to pinpoint the cause of an algea bloom. I dont think that the tank has to adjust to the lighting, only the inhabitants, and mostly if they are use to PC lighting and you upgrade to MH or T5, just to place an example.