Instant algae growth on glass!!

Mark75 · Jul 2, 2016

I can clean my glass and within 30 minutes it will have a brown/green film of algae on it. I have zero algae growth other than the glass. I have been dosing nitrates for the last month and finally have them at 2ppm but I had the "instant dusting" problem before I started dosing. The only change in the glass algae is it is more green than brown after dosing nitrates. The tank is 4 months old and I had hoped it would go away on its own but it doesn't seem to be. I am using 0 tds water and have a Hanna ULR phosphate tester but find the results to be random and inconsistent.

Rather than clean the glass every 30 minutes I have considered installing an automotive style windshield wiper set to run every 15 minutes but hoping you guys have a better solution!

twilliard · Jul 2, 2016

It comes back that quick?
Sounding like diatoms to me

Mark75 · Jul 2, 2016

Yes,....I can clean the glass every 15 minutes and get a enough off to cloud the tank.

twilliard · Jul 2, 2016

Mark75 said:
Yes,....I can clean the glass every 15 minutes and get a enough off to cloud the tank.

If you have access to a microscope that would be fantastic

Nem4 · Jul 2, 2016

Take a sample and put it in a zip lock bag. Lay it flat and let it be for a few minutes. If you see it group together, form a "chain" or snot. You just may have dinos. Look real close. You can see tiny individuals.

Mark75 · Jul 2, 2016

It would be difficult to get a sample as it turns to powder/dust when I scrape the glass?

Alanc425 · Jul 2, 2016

Mark75 said:
It would be difficult to get a sample as it turns to powder/dust when I scrape the glass?

Turn off all flow, scrape and suck with turkey baster

Sabellafella · Jul 2, 2016

Sounds fine to me,just going to have to clean more often, maybe check silicates if you could.

BigJim · Jul 2, 2016

It is probably just film algae if it's green. What are you using to clean the glass? Mine comes back pretty quick if I don't use a blade once a week. I don't think the scrubbing side of my magnet removes all of the algae.

Bdog4u2 · Jul 2, 2016

I had a similar problem so I adjusted my lights so it wouldn't hit the front glass as strong now I clean once a week

Mark75 · Jul 2, 2016

It is every side of the tank,...2 hours after cleaning the glass with a Tunze Care cleaner the glass is very dirty with snail tracks through the algae.

The film is heavy enough to make it difficult to see into the tank 2 hours after cleaning,...I have to do something? 8 hours after cleaning the glass it is difficult to even see into the tank.

Mark75 · Jul 3, 2016

Whatever is growing on the glass looks to be the same brown/rust colored stuff on my substrate. I cleaned the substrate last night and this morning it was brown again. I think it grows equally fast on the substrate as the glass, it is just much easier to see it on the clear glass.

Any ideas what it is and how to fight it?

Bunnee911 · Jul 3, 2016

Photos?

Mark75 · Jul 3, 2016

mmw64 · Jul 3, 2016

Mark75 said:

Following, Have same problem but film on sand is brown.

Mark75 · Jul 3, 2016

mmw64 said:
Following, Have same problem but film on sand is brown.

Mine looks brown under normal lighting but I used all whites to get a decent photo.

Nem4 · Jul 3, 2016

Looks completely normal for a new tank. Don't do anything drastic. Ride it out. Took mine about a week. Maybe a Lil longer. Be patient! I know it's frustrating!

rcpalmer1 · Aug 14, 2017

Mark75 said:
I can clean my glass and within 30 minutes it will have a brown/green film of algae on it. I have zero algae growth other than the glass. I have been dosing nitrates for the last month and finally have them at 2ppm but I had the "instant dusting" problem before I started dosing. The only change in the glass algae is it is more green than brown after dosing nitrates. The tank is 4 months old and I had hoped it would go away on its own but it doesn't seem to be. I am using 0 tds water and have a Hanna ULR phosphate tester but find the results to be random and inconsistent.

Rather than clean the glass every 30 minutes I have considered installing an automotive style windshield wiper set to run every 15 minutes but hoping you guys have a better solution!

I assume your problem got fixed. What was the solution?

Hughesy · May 5, 2020

@Mark75 , hope you are well. What was the solution/outcome of the above? I am going through the exact same. I've sent for an ICP as I suspect high silicate but would be great to get your insight. Many thanks in advance

WereAllNegan · Dec 3, 2021

Mark75 said:
I can clean my glass and within 30 minutes it will have a brown/green film of algae on it. I have zero algae growth other than the glass. I have been dosing nitrates for the last month and finally have them at 2ppm but I had the "instant dusting" problem before I started dosing. The only change in the glass algae is it is more green than brown after dosing nitrates. The tank is 4 months old and I had hoped it would go away on its own but it doesn't seem to be. I am using 0 tds water and have a Hanna ULR phosphate tester but find the results to be random and inconsistent.

Rather than clean the glass every 30 minutes I have considered installing an automotive style windshield wiper set to run every 15 minutes but hoping you guys have a better solution!

What was the solution? I have the same thing happening now