With out pictures it is hard to tell.

How old is the tank? and How long is you light period?

 

With out pictures it is hard to tell.

How old is the tank? and How long is you light period?

About 2 mos. The light is on most of the daytime, off at night.

 

Suspended micro algae or cyano.


Try killing your lights to see if it clears up. A hint would also be if it's clearer in the morning than night.


After it clears up then try 1/2 duration lighting. If it clouds up again cut the duration in half. If it stays clear increase the duration. Until you find the duration where the tank thrives and stays clear.


There are filters like the diatom xl that will clear the water rapidly. But you might have to do that every week or so.


But the best method is to add some plants to consume the nutrients feeding the algae/cyano. I have had angelfish with plants and it worked nicely.


Just me and my .02

 

Suspended micro algae or cyano.


Try killing your lights to see if it clears up. A hint would also be if it's clearer in the morning than night.


After it clears up then try 1/2 duration lighting. If it clouds up again cut the duration in half. If it stays clear increase the duration. Until you find the duration where the tank thrives and stays clear.


There are filters like the diatom xl that will clear the water rapidly. But you might have to do that every week or so.


But the best method is to add some plants to consume the nutrients feeding the algae/cyano. I have had angelfish with plants and it worked nicely.


Just me and my .02

Thanks. Will try these. The fish probably like it, but it doesn't look very nice.

 

Another thought...this tank doesn't have a strong current. I heard that angels like a low current. The water is quite still on surface, which I notice most when feeding. Would a stronger current matter with the algae?

 

Current makes a difference. I have one take that is set up in a moderate-low circular (top down to the bottom) flow with angels. Plants don't move too much, but you can really see it with food particles. Sand top is always clean and never had algae. My other algae-free tank has several bubble walls and a small HOB (sponge is main filter). I'd totally black out tank and get some flow in it (angels wouldn't enjoy a powerhead, but still water isn't ideal either).

 

Thanks, I already blacked out the tank for two days, but will try more and lower water level for more current. At this time, the water isn't moving at all and the food just sits there! Thanks again.

 

I second adding live plants, it’s the only real low maintence, long term solution to algae control. Plants out compete algae for nutrients all day. I keep all my tanks heavily planted with a few snails and never see algae. You could maybe start with some floating plants like water lettuce, and things like amazon swords, java fern, and crypts don’t really require fancy substrates. Plus live plants always look better than fake.

Whatever you do, avoid flocculants. Easily damages little fishy gills.