Algae Or Detrius Build Up?

[ZoddyZod]

Within the areas of the tank that have the heaviest/fastest flow from the filters I get a dusting of this grey matter that appears to be some kind of algae that detrius is sticking to. I've looked through the different types of algae and I can't identify what it is. Any ideas of how to prevent it?

125L tank
Lighting - 2x20w T8 x 8hrs
Ferts - TPN (not TPN+) 1.5ml daily
C02/Carbon - Easy Carbo - 1ml daily

On some Vallis....

On a withering Java fern leaf

In some moss

 

[ian]

looks like fuzz/thread algae to me. Nomally cause by low CO2/nutrients, can i ask why you're dosing only 1ml of Easycarbo, Zod? You should be at least dosing 2.5ml.

 

[RadaR]

Looks like both.
Algae with detritus caught onto it.
I agree with ianho. Increase you nutrients and Carbon. If you are dosing carbon then you should also be dosing macro nutrients. The addition of carbon increases the demand for macro nutrients (NPK).

 

[ZoddyZod]

can i ask why you're dosing only 1ml of Easycarbo, Zod? You should be at least dosing 2.5ml.

I read somewhere that lightly planted tanks required a lower dosing and recommened around 1ml per 100L. I think mine would be considered lightly planted? The tank contains straight vallis, anubias nana, java fern and a few crypts (wenditii I think)

RadaR, excuse my ignorance, but would the TPN combined with the fish waste not be enough to support my apparently undemanding plants?

 

[RadaR]

RadaR, excuse my ignorance, but would the TPN combined with the fish waste not be enough to support my apparently undemanding plants?

Maybe, maybe not. Only one way to find out. Vallis in my experience was a hungry, fast growing plant so might soak up alot of nutrients.
Generally speaking, if you add carbon, you should also be dosing macro nutrients.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Maybe, maybe not. Only one way to find out. Vallis in my experience was a hungry, fast growing plant so might soak up alot of nutrients.
Generally speaking, if you add carbon, you should also be dosing macro nutrients.

any bottled products that would provide those? If not, what do I need?

 

[RadaR]

Maybe, maybe not. Only one way to find out. Vallis in my experience was a hungry, fast growing plant so might soak up alot of nutrients.
Generally speaking, if you add carbon, you should also be dosing macro nutrients.

any bottled products that would provide those? If not, what do I need?

You've already heard of it. TPN+. It's what you have but it also contains N+P.
There is also Easylife Nitro and Easylife Fosfo.
You could also try this

 

[ZoddyZod]

You've already heard of it. TPN+. It's what you have but it also contains N+P.
There is also Easylife Nitro and Easylife Fosfo.
You could also try this

I was actually using TPN+ for the last year. I downgraded to TPN only last week after reading that TPN+ was only needed for tanks that were lightly stocked. So I dont think the issue stems from lack of macro nutrients, unless 1.5ml daily wasn't enough?

 

[lljdma06]

My 8g from last year ended up guzzling 8ml of TPN+ a day! And your tank is much bigger than 8g. I did have a heavier plant mass, though.

 

[ZoddyZod]

My 8g from last year ended up guzzling 8ml of TPN+ a day! And your tank is much bigger than 8g. I did have a heavier plant mass, though.

and that's why I've kept to the reco of roughly 10ml per week. I've really not got many plants there.....or have I?

 

[RadaR]

Well filamentous algae is a result of low CO2. Some leaves in the pics dont look healthy. Typically yellow leaves is a sign of low N however leaves that are falling apart can be low CO2.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Well filamentous algae is a result of low CO2. Some leaves in the pics dont look healthy. Typically yellow leaves is a sign of low N however leaves that are falling apart can be low CO2.

well I will increase the carbon dosing to 2.5ml and see if that improves it.

Mainly the vallis look healthy but I do have a few with dying tips where they have bent/snapped towards to the top. The java fern is the same. Seems the older leaves are dying and new ones are growing to replace them since the plant was introduced.

 

[JoshuaA]

My 8g from last year ended up guzzling 8ml of TPN+ a day! And your tank is much bigger than 8g. I did have a heavier plant mass, though.

I am curious, I've seen many comments like this before... How do you know how much it consumed a day? Just a guess or you put it until you notice a bad side effect?

 

[RadaR]

My 8g from last year ended up guzzling 8ml of TPN+ a day! And your tank is much bigger than 8g. I did have a heavier plant mass, though.

I am curious, I've seen many comments like this before... How do you know how much it consumed a day? Just a guess or you put it until you notice a bad side effect?

All trial and error.
For instance, add 2ml per day. Still seeing nutrient deficienies.
Increase to 3ml per day. Still seeing deficiencies.
So on and so forth until in this case, 8ml was added per day, and no deficiencies were seen. All this would probably take a few weeks. Shorter if the need for a higher nutrient dosing regime was anticipated thanks to perviosu experience.

 

[lljdma06]

My 8g from last year ended up guzzling 8ml of TPN+ a day! And your tank is much bigger than 8g. I did have a heavier plant mass, though.

I am curious, I've seen many comments like this before... How do you know how much it consumed a day? Just a guess or you put it until you notice a bad side effect?

All trial and error.
For instance, add 2ml per day. Still seeing nutrient deficienies.
Increase to 3ml per day. Still seeing deficiencies.
So on and so forth until in this case, 8ml was added per day, and no deficiencies were seen. All this would probably take a few weeks. Shorter if the need for a higher nutrient dosing regime was anticipated thanks to perviosu experience.

RadaR is right, there comes a point where you can guess what you'll need to start off with based on plant mass, lighting, and livestock levels. The great thing is when you start dosing like that, you can always reset with a water change. Also, you have to account for changes in plant mass. People kind forget this. They get a level that's working great for them, then 3 months down the road they have problems again. First thing I'll ask is how's your flow? Then I'll ask have you changed your dosing? Plants grow, that's our goal, what wasn't blocking the filter before is now. The dosing that was good then, won't be enough now. It constantly changes.

llj