Morning all ! Or Good Evening depending on when you read this !!

So here's a stupid question, does any one have issues with algae growing on their glass lids for their tank?

It is hot in FL, pushing 100 (but cool in the house), my tank temp stays around 80/81(FL water comes out that hot) and I do have 2 bubblers that agitate the surface (maybe they are splashing up).

But is there something that I am missing about keeping the algae from growing on the lids? I have to clean them every 3-4 days because the light won't shine through the tank properly.

Brooksie

Good afternoon,B.
That's completely normal , my dear.

The splashing from the bubblers to my glass lids, combined with the amount of light that hits those lids,for they are real close to the lights will make algae grow like crazy.
I used to take the lids off, scrub them and put them back, but nowadays i got a bunch of soft cloth,(old t-shirts ripped to shreds) and i just wipe off the insides of the lids with that dry cloth while waterlevels are low during maintenance.
Work pretty fine for me.

If i skip that for some weeks, i will have no light getting through at all.

Mine do the same thing. I usually just wipe them off when I do water changes. Long term plans are to build a canopy that puts my light 6-8 inches above water level and ditch the glass lids. Just one of those things I've accepted along with adding water every couple weeks lol.

my lights are actualy resting dirctly on the glass, so they get most of the light.
I do not clean the lids on the far right corner,where my fake plants are.
It gives my fish a darker place if they want to hide, especially with the nightlights on.

Mine are too. Doesn't usually bother me. Doesn't seem to affect the lighting of the tank too much to worry about. Just try to keep em wiped off. My 90 has one 48" bulb and my 125 has two 36" bulbs. Lights things up pretty good. Have a dual 48" fixture mounted into the old black canopy that I'm not using anymore. That tank could be seen from space.

my top lids are lose and i just wipe them after overturning during cleaning...
algae normally back in a week or two....

Thanks all.... I figured it was normal. Mine is a twice a week cleaning of the glass. I don't mind doing it. Just wanted to make sure that there wasn't a solution I was missing!

Brooksie

My cover glass is about an inch or so above the top of the water level. I have to clean the glass every 2 weeks or so.

How long do you have your lights on for? The longer you have the lights on for the quicker the algae will grow. Also is water making its way onto the glass as this will allow the algae to grow quicker

I dont have really have a lid actually. Just a wood 'canopy' that encloses the top, but I do get 'residue' on the inside edges occasionally that I just wipe off.

delboybully wrote:


Between the O's "snapping" at the bubbles on the top and the actual bubblers, there is water that splashes onto the glass. Due to my internal sump, my water level is pretty close to the top.

Oh well, it is something that I have to deal with. No worries!

interesting... I don't get any algae on the lids of my tank...... the lids are acrylic, not sure if that makes any difference.....

Yep i get it to, I am not to bothered by it cos I like the subdued light effect. i think it suits my fish also being clowns and the arow, they both don't like bright lights. I clean it but not that often and I don't put much effort in to get it really clean. )