? Algae Again..

[cynic]

Hi all, seem to be having a little bit of algae again. Not massive yet but there none the less.

Bit of it is the old favorite BBA but i have some ? green stuff appearing on the sand, oddly only in one part of the tank. Could be a slow flow spot maybe.

Anyway, have dropped the light levels and it has made no difference bar upsetting the plants as they are turning to the window side of the tank which i don't want, the big leafed plant i have has also lost a little colour too.

I'm wondering on maybe some carbon, some ferts maybe. The plants are well established now and growing well, i think fish poo alone may not be enough. Certainly the nitrate levels in the tank are holding well at around 40PPM, bar cosmetics i don't need to waterchange just the 10% for poo clearance is plenty.

Also lost yet another cory, they have been steadily dieing one at a time nothing obvious, just the female left now.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Have you tested your ammonia recently? I could be wrong but I think I read that that green algae can be caused by slightly ammonia being present.

As for the BBA - I've heard Flourish Excel dosed daily works well. I have some too but I'm not treated it because it's not out of control and I'll be getting a new tank soon and will be literally taking over the filter media and maybe my thermometer from my old tank.

 

[alihar]

I believe BBA is caused by a lack of CO2.
I'm not really techy so someone else may be able to elaborate.
Flourish excel works well to kill off BBA I only dose my tank with it when I get BBA growth and it goes in a week or so.
Some plants are sensitive to it so if you have Vals or Elodea they may melt.

 

[cynic]

I'd sooner sort the cause than just nuke the BBA. My plants are growing well so i'm thinking that the co2 could be an issue as the tank is only lightly stocked with fish for its size.

The water is fine at 0,0,40 so its not that. Its just beggining on the edges of the older leaves. Lighting has made no difference, the tank has been on just daylight for the last 2 days and that has made no difference.

Maybe give some liquid carbon a go? Not sure i want the hassle of co2.