Alage Problem

[rfisher]

Hi All,

I have just noticed that some of my plants have started to come out in patchy brown coloured Algae, at least I think that is what it is. I have 9 plants in total, 3 small plants, 3 medium and 3 large plants in a 126 litre tank. I have read briefly about the co2 systems and there beneifts to live plants and also leaving the lights on for certain lengths of time. I have not got a co2 system, do I need one with this amount of plants? I leave the lights on for 12 hours coming on at noon and off at midnight. I have two tubes in this tank, one is a general light tube and the other is designed to promote plant growth, Am I leaving the tubes on for too long?

Thanks in advance,

Richard

 

[Ginge]

Hi All,

I have just noticed that some of my plants have started to come out in patchy brown coloured Algae, at least I think that is what it is. I have 9 plants in total, 3 small plants, 3 medium and 3 large plants in a 126 litre tank. I have read briefly about the co2 systems and there beneifts to live plants and also leaving the lights on for certain lengths of time. I have not got a co2 system, do I need one with this amount of plants? I leave the lights on for 12 hours coming on at noon and off at midnight. I have two tubes in this tank, one is a general light tube and the other is designed to promote plant growth, Am I leaving the tubes on for too long?

Thanks in advance,

Richard

I think about 10 hours is recomended. Is the tank exposed to any nautural light? What k are the bulbs? e.g. 6500k(should say on the bulb) i dont think Co2 woudl benifit that tank much with only 9 plants but on the other hand has been said to benifit any planted tank. Co2 has also been said to be good against algea.

 

[rfisher]

Thanks for that I will have a look when I get home from work and post the tube ratings. I will also adjust the timer on the lights.

 

[docbanzai]

If you have compatible fish then try good old Otocinclus. They love brown algae and can can clear a tank in hours. My biOrb was covered (and I mean COVERED) in brown algae so I got a couple of oto's. Popped them in the tank and thought to myself "Ah ha! That'll keep 'em busy for a week or two!" woke up the next morning and not a single spot of algae to be found. Crikey, greedy little buggers! The only problem is keeping them fed when the algae is gone! Although, for me, I keep them fed on cooked courgette and now they won't eat anything else...

P.S. and they don't damage the plants.

P.P.S. if you've got a planted only tank then I've got the wrong end of the stick, sorry.

P.P.P.S. suggest check your potassium levels. Loads of the brown stuff can indicate high concentrations of K.