Algae help people

[nitro]

I have had major algae problems since trying to do a 'proper planted tank'


I have long thread algae and black tuft algae which still wants to grow even though i have done 3day blackouts, fed the fish less etc. I dont have co2 running as this would make the algae grow quicker right?

Here is a pic which shows the tank how it is right now. IT has not grown much because of the lack of light.

click here


I brought a product called Purigen by Seachem last week which is supposed to absorb unwanted nutrients etc but algae still wants to grow!


Any ideas?

 

[houndour]

Your tank looks good but you can't really see the algae in it.

I have the same algae as you it sounds but I'm not sure we share the same problem as to why.

Have you read the pinned topic?

How are your plants doing aside from lack of growth. Do you know for a fact that you have an excess of nutrients?

For me, and I'm not saying do this, I had the problem of suddenly overnight getting loads of algae, but my plants weren't doing so well. I had the brown spots and browning leaves...indicating they were deficient in something. I was scared to put fertiliser in cos I thought the algae would lap it up. But now that I have my plants are thriving again and the algae is reducing. I didn't do any blackouts or anything, although I've always had the 2 hours of no light in the middle of the day as suggested by gf225. ( i do 5 on, 2 off, 5 on).

You say you don't need CO2...how much light do you have and what size is the tank? Experts help....?? Is it recommended to have CO2 if you have 3 watts or more per gallon?

 

[nitro]

Thanks for the reply.

The algae does appear to grow overnight i think. It mostly grows in the Hygro.

I have sent an email to Seachem asking specifically what nutrients etc Purigen absorbs. I will then know if i wasted £18.

I hvae 2.1 watts over 28gallons and i do a 3 0r 4 on- 2 off- 3-4 on

 

[George Farmer]

I would guess that your main cause of algae is lack of CO2. Adding CO2 will not increase algae - it will improve plant growth thus limiting algae.

Read the pinned algae article for more info.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88353

 

[nitro]

Thanks for the reply. I will try adding co2 again because at the moment i have nothing to loose

I think i need to get some more sag as well to cover the midground as it hasnt spread as quickly as i would liked and i will try and stick the riccia down on the gravel.

I took the E.tennilus(Spl) out last week because even though it sen tout runners it looked practiacally dead. There is one E. tennilus in there still which is alive but hasnt sent out any runners.


Ill keep you updated.

 

[iggy01]

I would guess that your main cause of algae is lack of CO2. Adding CO2 will not increase algae - it will improve plant growth thus limiting algae.

I definitely agree with gf225 there. Algae only requires minimal amounts of Co2 for optimum growth. Plants require much higher levels.

To be on the safe side before adding Co2, make sure your kH is at least 3dH or higher to avoid any pH swings.

Good luck!

 

[nitro]

make sure your kH is at least 3dH or higher to avoid any pH swings.

Mine KH is around 5.7