Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone. I have a fairly recent system(summer '15) using a 1kL IBC tote for my fish tank. In general things are fine, but I have massive algae growth in my tank. I feel its robbing nutrients, and possibly adding to my slightly-higher-than-Id-like(though constant) pH of 7.5. My tank is almost completely opaque with internal algae growth now, which I hate as half the fun is watching the fish swim around and feed and stuff.
Any suggestions on how to get rid of all this algae growth besides painting the outside of my tank? As for the painting, its not that I'm terribly opposed to it, but as I said before I was hoping for maximum visibility. Please let me know what think!! I currently have 4 channel cats, 4 carp hybrids, and 2(2 died ) blue gill. My set up for sure can support more fish, but I figured Id ramp up slowly. I have a grow bed to fish tank ratio of approx 1:1

You need heavy shade over the FT. Make sure you have plenty of air, all that algae will consume a lot of Oxygen.
See if you can filter out some of the algae to get the clearing process underway. Polyester ceiling insulation works quite well- run the water through a couple of 50mm layers of it.

once your biofilter is working at proper capacity the algae will go away itself and never return, if it is green water.

if its stringy algae, the only thing is remove all light from it.... or get in and scrub it like an aquarium.... or if you are in a tropical zone, add sucker fish.

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and you CAN spray them with paint, having protected the fish, from overspray..

A paint that does seem to work, is RustOleum 2X - Ultra Cover

I sprayed a Rain-Water tank in SILVER and it seems to be holding well....

The alternative and perhaps preferred, is to wrap insulation around the outside, as this will both shade and insulate for summer and winter..
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what about a half/ half solution?

spray most of the tank, but leave an area clear for viewing (prefferably in a shaded area)

Humaic Acid. Look it up.

use shade cloth both over and around the tank.
Fix at top and use pieces of wood (broom handle etc) at bottom.

will cut out a lot of light and you simply lift for a quick look or roll up for a short while for longer viewing.

you can also use those cheap brushwood/bamboo screens to achieve same thing.

just make a clip or something to hold on to wood when folded down so don't blow around.

IBC frame is easy to attach things to.

Thanks so much for all the advice! Great info. BuiDoi, do you have any suggestions as to what the best insulation material would be?

I would suggest you some small tips on how to deal with algae. Hope this would help you.
1. Avoid overfeeding the fish
2. Regular water changes to remove excess nutrients
3. Maintain filter media
4. Increase plant growth
5. Know When Some Algae is OK
6. Identify the most harmful algae and take appropriate preventive measure
Thanks.

Really should paint or cover the plastic, unless it's a temporary thing.

The plastic isn't UV stable, in a year or 2 of strong sunlight you'll be able to poke your finger through it!