Algae

I picked up an algae magnet the other day and wow, what a great investment. It's so easy to use.

However, I think I'm getting a population of Diatoms in my tank. Little green dots all over the place and very hard to get off the glass. How do I get rid of these?

Thanks,

- J

I find that a blade scraper works best. I have one with a flexible blade (similar to an old-fasioned razor blade) that is curved in its holder such that both edges are exposed. Getting diatoms off the glass with that is really easy.

Cheers,

can some one explain to me pls what are the factors in the type of algae you get in a tank?

for instance, I have brown spot algae and I really would prefer green hair algae. what do I have to change to do this.

I have a 125g tank set at 25 degrees C. 40 watt 'daylight' fluro. I also have a fair amount of indirect sunlight if I open the curtains. the java fern, java moss and corkscrew plant are doing fine. normal levels of nitrate.

40 watts for 125g? Isn't that like .3 watts per gallon? Or did I figure that wrong? You must keep the curtains open pretty much.

I grow green hair algae high up close to the lights, but brown spot lower down. I think that might be your key right there.

My otos are scared to go up by the lights even when they're off. So that algae never gets eaten. The only time I get rid of it is when I prune.