Algae Bba And Blue Green

[amf17]

I'm new to planted tanks but i do know the basics. My tank (20 Gallon) is lightly planted because i want to have a good setup before I start adding more plants.

I have a DIY co2 system that provides 15-20ppm and has my ph at around 7.0. I have 1 60W 6000K compact flourescent for lighting which is on for 5 off for 2 on for 5 then off for 12.

I don't know what I should be providing for fertilizers though. Micro Nutrients??? macro nutrients??? i don't even know if I need to add any. I've heard that fish waste etc. should provide enough nutrients for the plants?

My plants aren't dying, but they are definitely not growing well. I have a problem with Black Beard Algae and Blue Green Algae as well. I've been thinking that if my lighting is good and my co2 is good than maybe i need to fertilize to help my plants fight off the algae.

Any thoughts or suggestions as to what I might change to help my plants grow better while reducing the algae?

Thanks

 

[aaronnorth]

you should plant heavily from the start - 50% substrate coverage at least. BGA can be linked to low nitrates (NO3), do you have the levels of these? About 20ppm is right, less than this (by quite a bit) this may be where your problem lies. Also another factor is circulation, if there are any dead spots then this is when BGA tends to grow, quite commonly up the front of the glass where the substrate is, put some dark tape around the egde to kill it off. Don't confuse flow with ciculation, you may have enough flow (l/ph or g/ph). When was the last time you cleaned your filter? If left for a long time, the rotting plant matter will give off ammonia and the spike encouraes all algae. You must also remove dead leaves on a regular basis for this same purpose.

You need to dose ferts, a good quaality brand is tropica, either the tropica plant nutrition (TPN) or the TPN+. TPN is designed for heavily stocked tank as it contains only potassium, and TPN+ is for lightly stockd tanks as it also contains nitrate & phosphate. Fish waste will give a small amount of nutrients, particulalry the subtrate.

[URL="http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...=20a&page=3"]http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...=20a&page=3[/URL]

to get rid of BGA, do a 3 day blackout (cover the tank in blankets or domething dark), turn off the CO2 and no feeding or peeking - just leave it be. This will kill of the BGA and your plants may suffer but they will soon bounce back. Macaryn can also kill it off but it may also kill your filter bacteria so be very carefull.

there is an algae guide in my sig if that helps.

Remember:

Higher the light = more CO2 & nutrients needed