Algae On Certain Leaves

[Tizer]

My 240 litre tank is becoming relatively well planted, my vallis is doing well, my java ferns are extremely green and flourishing. however, my crypts and dwarf hairgrass seem to suffer from a darkening of the leaves which seems to be a very stubborn algae. I can rub some off with my fingers, but lots of it remains as if attached with glue! The hairgrass started off well but has since stopped growing and just looks manky. I have compressed CO2 going into the tank and my drop checker is a darkish green (as opposed to the recommended light green) and the lights are on for two hours in the morning from 7 - 9 and from 7 to 10 in the evening. I inject CO2 for a couple of hours before the morning lights come on and turn it off at 7:30 while in the evening it comes on at 5 and goes off at 7:30. I dose Profito every other day, around 10ml.

Any planted peeps experienced similar or can give me some pointers? I was going to up the lights for few weeks to 8 hours as reducing them for the last few weeks hasnt helped.

Plenty of circulation btw, with filter and additional powerhead. Ta

 

[RadaR]

Why the structured lighting? It wont be helping the situation. You want a solid photoperiod of 7 or 8hours. CO2 to come on 2hours before lights and to go off 2hours before the lights go off.
As you said, the drop checker should be lime green.
When I started reading the thread I instantly thought lack of CO2 at the substrate because all the other large plants were doing fine higher up in the water column. Crypts and hairgrass stay close to the substrate. I would sort out photoperiod, get that CO2 injection increased and just make sure there is enough flow to the substrate.
If you are injecting carbon then you should also be dosing macro and micro nutrients (daily!).
Water changes should also be large and weekly.
Manual removal of the algae should be included in your battle against it.

 

[Tizer]

Structured lighting was purely experimental, since making the post i've gone back to a 7 hour period starting at 3pm to 10pm and i've bumped up the CO2 a little more. Also put an order in for some TPN+. I always do a 50% change on the weekend and i do rub the leaves between my fingers to get rid. I'll see how i go for a few weeks