Lots Of Algae, And No Ideas

[pablothebetta]

Not at all any kind of expert on algaes, but I do know that a blackout of around 5 days followed by a large w/c eliminated a green water issue for me in the past. Not sure if this might help with BBA in your setup, but I thought I might mention it. Hope you get it sorted soon though, BBA is nasty stuff

 

[Chtheo]

Hi Pablothebetta, Thanks for your input, i am not sure how useful that will be as i dont think lighting is one of the issues. but i will keep it in mind incase adding the circulation pump doesnt work.

I have added the puimp (yesterday) and im currently waiting to see what occurs with it. The poor fishies didnt see the flow coming! they are fine now, and swimming about, but they ended up down the other end of the tank quite sharpish! i wish i had got a pump with a variable flow!

Im thinking of gettign rid of the spray bar and going back to the "powerhead" Type thing that the fluval 405 came with. that might focus it more and increase flow.

anyone know how long it will take to see results? or will this just stop/minimise it spreading? will i have to scrub it off of the bog wood again?

 

[wroberson]

Thanks for the picture.

1. Remove as much of the algae as you can
2. Test the water for Phosphate, Nitrate, Nitrite and Ammonia
3. Convert PO4 to P http/www.water-research.net/Watershed/waterconversions.htm
4. Convert NO3 to N NO3/10 Example 200ppm(NO3)/10=20ppm N
5. Find the ratio of N 10:1 is a phosphate limiting system, 15:1 is a Nitrogen limiting system.

If you have a nitrogen limiting system, then you need to reduce NO3.
If you have a Phosphate limiting system, then you need to reduce PO4.
If you have a high PO4 level >2, you can buy a filter pad to reduce the phosphate in the water. You will see results within 48 hours. There are a few on the market. They are hard to find around town. The one I use is Pura Filtration Pad and will also remove heavy metals.

I'm still working on the NO3. There is a pad for that, but I have not tested it. NO3 not as harmful to plants and fish as phosphates. Some fish thrive in waters with NO3 concentrations of 600ppm+. In fact the air we breathe is 72% N.

This information is used in the study of lakes and rivers and natural habitats of fish and plants and is not used to figure how clean the drinking water. The best level of NO3 for your aquarium depends on the fish in your tank and personal preference.

However, 2+ppm of phosphate will cause algae to grow well. .25 and lower is suggested.
So a ratio of 2.5:.25 is a 10:1 ratio and ideal for plants.

Hope this helps you control the algae in your aquarium.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Not always the case my friend, she's dosing N&P with the nourish+ so will be present and in higher levels than the norm.