Need a little help/advice.

[AngelicScars]

I'm having an algae issue in my 5 gallon tank. I'm not sure what's causing it.
Can anyone give me any suggestions?

The tank is uncycled (don't tell me to cycle, because I'm not).
I do 50% water changes once a week and 100% water change and full tank cleaning every 3 weeks now that I have the algae issue (otherwise it would be every 4 weeks).

I can't use algaefix or anything like that because it will probably kill my Marimo Balls in the tank.

Oh, and I had the algae issue before I got the Marimo Balls, so I know that didn't cause/increase it.

One suggestion that was given to me was use bottled water over tap.

[TigerLily]

Maybe you could try lessening the light it gets. If the tank has a light, turn it off for a few extra hours a day, or if it's near a window, maybe leave that closed more often.

Not to be rude or nosy, but I am curious as to why you wouldn't want to cycle, since that could make taking care of it easier. If it were, maybe you could get one or two algae eating shrimp.

[BettaxFishxCrazy]

I think turning the lights off more would probably help since algae thrives in light or warm water. What's the temperature in the tank? I don't have filters for any of my tanks either, it's just a personal preference. Some people think it's weird that people don't have filters for 2-5Gs and I find it weird that they do.lol If I had a 10G+ than I would have it filtered, but not a smaller tank.

[kelly528]

Before we say anything, what kind of algae are we talking... brown algae, GDA, beard algae?

Also what type of light do you have (flourescent or incandescent), how many watts is it and for how many hours do you leave it on?

Algae removers usually bind with nitrate, wich you don't have if your tank isn't cycled so i don't think they'll do the trick.

Using bottled water over tap will only help if you have brown algae and your tap water is high in silicates, or if your tap water is high in nitrate.

[AngelicScars]

I do actually have a filter to keep the water clear.
It is brown algae. The light I *think* is a fluorescent, it's 10W. I leave the light on about 7-8 hours a day.

[kelly528]

Ohhhkay now we are getting somewhere.

SInce no cycle = no nitrate I don't think excess nitrates are causing your problem. Which leaves silicates.

1) Is your aquarium glass?
2) How old is it (the actual tank)?
3) Are there any silicates in your tapwater (you might need to call the water company)?

Silicates are often either present in the tapwater or they are leaching from the silicone sealing your aquarium. They will leach from the silicone for about 3-4 months.

[AngelicScars]

1.) I'm pretty sure the aquarium is glass, yes.
2.) The tank will be a year old in April (I bought it brand new)
3.) I'm not sure on that one, I could find that out.

[kelly528]

I am suspecting silicates in your water supply. Definitely worth a call to the water supplier.

[AngelicScars]

If it is in my water supply, what would be the next steps?

[kelly528]

Find cheap bottled water or get a diatom filter (may be expensive).