Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My friend has not covered his fish tank(against my advice) and has hence developed an algae problem. He is using tilapia so I was wondering if he gets the tank covered from the sun and if he stops feeding the fish will the tilapia clean out all or most of the algae for him? His Ph is at about 5 probably because of the algae. fish seem to be doing ok though. Also wondering if anyone has tried the algicide products you can buy for pools or(i'm assuming) will this product be detrimental to the fish or plants?

tks

MM

At what time of day was that pH reading taken? Are the fish gasping at the surface for air at dawn?
Algae can cause diurnal pH swings and totally deplete the dissolved oxygen overnight which can leave all the fish dead come morning if there is not enough added aeration over night. The pH swings can really play havoc with the plants, fish and bio-filter bacteria.

Tilapia may clean out the algae if he stops feeding them depending on what size they are. Small tilapia still have a strong protein hunger and they don't gain the ability to filter feed on algae till they get a bit older.

good Luck to your friend. Hopefully things recover but he would probably be better off if he had taken your advise.

He just needs to stop feeding and wait...... Patience can be so difficult.