Algae Bloom

[loomis]

As the topic suggests one of my tanks (4x2x2) is suffering an algae bloom. I dont know if the following info is relevant but here goes...

There is only one fish in it (saratoga) and the substrate is kept clean. It is fairly heavily planted with creek rock filling in the gaps. The algae is brown in colour, is mainly growing on the glass around the sides (bottom only) of the tank. On the creek rock it looks like thin hair, but still the same colouration.

The tank doesnt have a lot of current at the bottom of the tank (which is why I clean it so often). I have tested the PH levels and everything is normal (same as every other tank - but its the only tank with the algae problem). The light I am using on this tank is a twin bulb T5.

Now heres the bit where I am getting frustrated...

1) One person said its because I am giving it too much light.

2) One person said its because there isnt enough light (give it any more and I will kill the plants)

3) The same person told me to get some bristlenose catties (even after I told him I had a 35cm Toga in the tank.

4) Another person said its the PH, but its the same as every other tank, yet its the only tank suffering the problem.

Could someone please give me some helpfull advice!?!?!

I know I could just clean the glass all the time, but I shouldnt have to do it.

[wombat1100]

is it front of a window?

[joz]

Umm?


From my experiemce only,I've found brown algae is to little light,green is from lots.

But for some reason it seems that there are excess nutrients feeding the algae.

Usually I'd also suggest an algae eater but with the Saratoga ????

But then again just recently I set up a tank for brine shrimp, the glass is now brown like yours I assume.
Where previously it was planted and full of guppies(yea don't ask) but was heavy green algea.
So I'm kind of stumped too???

Seems like a scowerer is to be your next best freind :)