Algae Causes

[Vendetta]

I keep getting problems with algae in my weather loach tank. At the moment I'm trying to deal with hair algae and BGA. I was always under the impression that algae growth was caused by excessive nutrients but having read a link someone else posted on another thread here about hair algae it seems it's actually a lack of nutrients that causes it. If this is right how does one go about raising the nitrate levels?
Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Noahs ark6]

excess light is also a cause. If you dont already, put some live plants in there, they will battle with the algae (not physically) for nutrients in the water!

 

[Vendetta]

But this link is saying that it's a LACK of nutrients in the water. The tank is quite heavily planted already. So if this is true how do I raise the nutrient level?

 

[ian]

Light causes algae, that is it. In a planted tank, lack of nutrients and C02 can exacerbated algae growth as plants will always out compete algae for nutrients. This is why us planted tank keepers dose our tanks with nitrate and phosphates. Hair algae is a sign of lack of C02, BGA is a totally different story. A 3 day blackout will help eradicate BGA, but it is a hard algae to get rid of.

If the tank isn't planted then you don't want to be adding any extra ferts.

 

[Vendetta]

The tank IS planted and as for light, my loach already think they live in a dark cave! I only have the light on for about 3hrs a day as it is and it's been like that for weeks now.

 

[ian]

when you say planted, is there just a few plants or is it heavily planted? Also what is the wattgae on you bulbs?

 

[Vendetta]

It's a 3ft tank and it has 9 plants plus a short grass and a moss ball. The light is 25 watt.

 

[ian]

i know i'm being a pain, but have you got any pics??

 

[Vendetta]

I'll have a go but it may take me some time, I'm not very good at this sort of thing

 

[Vendetta]

It keeps telling me the files are too big to upload. Any suggestions how to do this? Sorry.

 

[Vendetta]

http/imageshack.us/g/864/algae1.jpg/

Hopefully this link will work!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Here's a helpful link.


I think the key to successful plant keeping is BALANCE. The right amount of light, CO2, nutrients, etc. Too much of any one thing will cause a certain type of algae to take hold and outcompete the other plants (and algaes). I had a bit of Black Beard Algae (BBA) a while back, do to fluctuating CO2 levels. I was able to increase the circulation and cut back on the frequency of water changes and the problem eradicated itself in a matter of days. (Of course, I got to it quick, before it had a chance to really get bad.)

 

[Vendetta]

There's no problem with circulation. As you can see from the pics, it's not too bad at the moment but if I don't get a grip of it soon it will get much worse. I really hate the stuff!
The link you gave me was the same one I originally looked at that said it was due to low nutrient levels. I'm so confused about all of this. Is it too many nutrients or not enough? Which was my original question.
Also I purchased one of those cans of CO2 but am not sure how or when to use it..

 

[Akasha72]

Have you thought of getting some Oto's? or have you already got them? My Oto's spend all day (and probably all night cleaning algae off everything.

Perhaps they can't live with your loaches though ... I've no experience of weather loaches

 

[Vendetta]

The loach would be fine with almost anything but they're in a cold water tank, I don't know anything about oto's but I would imagine they're tropical fish?