Algae on glass

[Pennywise the Clown]

I've been away on vacation for two weeks, leaving my daughter in charge of my Reefer 250. She did a great job and everything looked good on my return.....apart from a thick film of green algae on the glass.
I had to add a steel blade to my TMC algae magnet to get rid of it and a good hour of scrapping. However, the algae is coming back very quickly. I have to clean twice a day instead of every other day but it does clean up easily with just the magnet and no steel scrapper. And more worryingly, the algae is growing in lines and patches. Almost as if I have scraped the glass (which I'm sure I haven't)
My water test shows zero nitrates and phosphates.
Anybody have this before.

 

[cmcoker]

I've had lines and patches, generally from not getting that area as algae free as the rest of the glass. Leaving behind a very thin film I guess. Since it has a little growth there to start it will become noticeable faster. As far as the pick up in growth, did your helper feed a bit more generously?

 

[vetteguy53081]

not abnormal. I, and im sure many here have to clean/scrape glass every 3-5 days.
Light and inorganics is the food source for algae. If your tank is at , or near/even across a window, it will be more frequent of an issue. All I have to say is " bless magnetic cleaners"
I remember these days . . . . . . . . .

 

[mta_morrow]

What kind of test kits are you using for nitrates and phosphates?

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

I've had lines and patches, generally from not getting that area as algae free as the rest of the glass. Leaving behind a very thin film I guess. Since it has a little growth there to start it will become noticeable faster. As far as the pick up in growth, did your helper feed a bit more generously?

It's possible my helper fed a bit too much, but judging by the amount of food that has been used, I don't think so. I'm more worried about the possibility of scratching the glass but I think that you might be right. There could be a film of algae that my cleaner isn't getting rid of. I might have to get my hands wet.

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

What kind of test kits are you using for nitrates and phosphates?

Using Salifert test kits. I might be getting the slightest Phosphate reading but Nitrates is definitely zero.

 

[PatW]

I need to scrape the glass every other day. I use a bladed thing called “ the flipper” and it works well and fast.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I need to scrape the glass every other day. I use a bladed thing called “ the flipper” and it works well and fast.

Flipper - good magnet. I thought it was the best until I bought the tunze. My other magnet for cube tank is a hammerhead. Very Strong magnets. Mag float is Ok- but not willing to settle for OK

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Flipper - good magnet. I thought it was the best until I bought the tunze. My other magnet for cube tank is a hammerhead. Very Strong magnets. Mag float is Ok- but not willing to settle for OK

I just picked up the flipper for my wife's tank and really like it, one of the best we have used. But the tunze looks nice, I might get one for my tank and give it a shot. Thanks for sharing!

 

[mta_morrow]

Flipper - good magnet. I thought it was the best until I bought the tunze. My other magnet for cube tank is a hammerhead. Very Strong magnets. Mag float is Ok- but not willing to settle for OK

Love my Tunze!

 

[wesman42]

Both the flipper and the tunze are ridiculously expensive (as a college student) in comparison to the Mag-Float. The convenience is definitely real with this one. I suppose if I had a full-time job in my degree field I wouldn't think twice. The difference is they have an additional tank-side portion that scrapes or cleans algae rather than a simply velcro scraper.

 

[mta_morrow]

Using Salifert test kits. I might be getting the slightest Phosphate reading but Nitrates is definitely zero.

Hmmmm. Something caused a nutrient spike if all was good before.

A bit of over feeding and wasted food perhaps?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Not try to hijack the op's thread but they offer a long or strong for tanks that are 1/2 thick. What would you folks recommend between the 2? The tank is a 1/2 moon.

Flipper - good magnet. I thought it was the best until I bought the tunze. My other magnet for cube tank is a hammerhead. Very Strong magnets. Mag float is Ok- but not willing to settle for OK

Love my Tunze!

 

[mta_morrow]

Not try to hijack the op's thread but they offer a long or strong for tanks that are 1/2 thick. What would you folks recommend between the 2? The tank is a 1/2 moon.

The Tunze is about 5” long. Given a curved surface, I don’t know with the increased gap of the radius how strong it would be.

I will say, the magnet is so strong that it flexes the curved scraper.

Sorry I can’t help more.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

The Tunze is about 5” long. Given a curved surface, I don’t know with the increased gap of the radius how strong it would be.

I will say, the magnet is so strong that it flexes the curved scraper.

Sorry I can’t help more.

I appreciate the feedback, I imagine if I go side to side and follow the curve it should work. I'll let ya know, ordering one tonight

 

[lapin]

I've been away on vacation for two weeks, leaving my daughter in charge of my Reefer 250. She did a great job and everything looked good on my return.....apart from a thick film of green algae on the glass.
I had to add a steel blade to my TMC algae magnet to get rid of it and a good hour of scrapping. However, the algae is coming back very quickly. I have to clean twice a day instead of every other day but it does clean up easily with just the magnet and no steel scrapper. And more worryingly, the algae is growing in lines and patches. Almost as if I have scraped the glass (which I'm sure I haven't)
My water test shows zero nitrates and phosphates.
Anybody have this before.

Its is not unusual to let a tank go for a bit and have certain algae take hold. Im sure in a few weeks with you removing it the tank will be back to normal. Instead of a mag cleaner try to use paper towels. It will hold a lot of the algae and not let it into the water column, Then go over it with the mag cleaner.

 

[mta_morrow]

I appreciate the feedback, I imagine if I go side to side and follow the curve it should work. I'll let ya know, ordering one tonight

Let me know how it works!