Algae Problem

[anniekins]

I have an algae problem with my fairly new cycled tank. The fishless cycle was completed about a month ago and I've had some brown algae which I thought maybe diatoms but lately I have a different type of algae appearing.

From reading threads and pinned topics I fear it maybe BGA. It did start in the sand substrate near the glass but is now appearing on the background, bogwood and covering some of the plants in the tank.

I have done weekly 20% water changes and tried to wipe off some of the algae during the changes. I have also used a plastic card around the edge of the glass to turn the substrate. Water stats last change were:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6

To give the background of the tank,it is an Aqua Mode 600 with the built in hood filter and lights. The lights have been on for about 8 hrs each day. I have just started to dose with EasyCarbo and ProFito.The room is very light, but I do have the blinds angled to keep direct sunlight away from the tank.

I understand that I may need to blackout the tank for four days if it is GBA but would like some advice as to what I need to do to stop the algae from re-appearing and if there is an underlying cause that needs to be addressed

I will try and post some pics for you as soon as I can ( just found battery is dead Urrrrgh!) to see if it is indeed GBA as I'm not too sure, I may even be completely wrong. Heres hoping anyway!

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[ROSSCO22]

If you Have BGA its almost always a flow problem try adding a powerhead to get the water moving more BGA dose not like flow.And most algae problems are down to poor CO2 adding easy carbo will help but if you can afford it try a pressurized CO2 system.

 

[RadaR]

Caused by:

Ammonia spikes
Low nitrates
Low circulation

Or a combination of all 3.

Personally I would -

Hoover up as much as possible in combination with a 50% water change.
Clean out any mulm that is decaying in the filter.
Do a blackout on the tank for 3 days. I've found that 1 layer of black bin liner isn't enough, so use two. Or black cloth.
No feeding throughout the 3 days or peaking.
Unveil the tank after 3 days, carry out another 50% water change.
Hopefully it is gone now and ammonia shouldn't be a problem.
Someway you will have to make sure your nitrates are stay around 10-20ppm. Whether this is done by dry ferts, Tropica Plant Nutrition +, or EasyLife Nitro.
If circulation and flow is low in the tank then possibly a powerhead could be used.

 

[anniekins]

Thanks for your replies. Unable to post pics at the mement due to camera problem, but I am pretty sure it is BGA so I will start the blackout over the weekend. If the low nitrates could have contributed I will get some Easylife Nitro to add afterwards. Do I just need to dose as instructed on the bottle or any other suggestions?

 

[RadaR]

Thanks for your replies. Unable to post pics at the mement due to camera problem, but I am pretty sure it is BGA so I will start the blackout over the weekend. If the low nitrates could have contributed I will get some Easylife Nitro to add afterwards. Do I just need to dose as instructed on the bottle or any other suggestions?

If you are going for the Nitro then yes, follow the instructions on the bottle. Watch the plants and their health, if they look like they need more and you're getting algae, then dose more.

 

[anniekins]

Thanks for your advice RadaR, I've done the water change and blackout today and also ordered the EasyLife Nitro. Will keep you posted as to the outcome later in the week. Keeping fingers crossed now!

 

[anniekins]

Removed the blackout cloth on tank today and I'm pleased to say that the BGA has gone!

I have added Easylife Carbo and Nitro. Will keep a check on water stats to see if the nitrates have risen over the next few days.

Thanks for your help and advice once again.

 

[anniekins]

Have been adding 2.5ml EasyLife Nitro to the tank (65L) for the last five days, after blackout removed, however, the nitrates remain at zero still. Do I need to increase the amount of Nitro added to the tank each day, and if so, by how much? or will it just take a little longer to raise the levels?

Thanks again for any replies in advance.

 

[RadaR]

Do the plants seem ok? How about the algae.
Don't bother with the test kit. Nitrate test kits are notoriously inaccurate most of the time. It says you have 0, but you may actually have 20.
Best way to judge is by watching the plants and the algae.

 

[anniekins]

Plants seem to be okay. I did add some new ones over the weekend as the blackout did seem to take it's toll on the plants that were in there during that time. I will of course be watching them, some of the anubais have brown algae on the leaves but they are also showing some new leaves too. I hope that's encouraging!

As for the algae, I am watching for it very closely. There are some brown spots appearing on the glass which will wipe off when I do the water change tomorrow and I have noticed a tiny green patch on the bogwood which I will keep an eye on. Apart from that nothing else that stands out at the moment. The substrate is not showing any signs of BGA thank goodness.

Would I be able to add an aditional powerhead with the in hood filter system the tank has? Shall I just continue with the same dosing at the moment while things appear fairly stable and see what develops?

Thanks so much for your help RadaR I do appreciate it.

 

[RadaR]

Would I be able to add an aditional powerhead with the in hood filter system the tank has? Shall I just continue with the same dosing at the moment while things appear fairly stable and see what develops?

An additional powerhead as well as your already existing filter? Yes, so long as it isn't negatively combating the existing current, ie. the two blowing into one another.

Thanks so much for your help RadaR I do appreciate it.

No worries. Just passing on what I've learnt from others on forum(s).

Edit: Continue with the dosing you are doing at the moment. The brown algae is most likely due to tiny concentrations of ammonia that are undetectable on a test kit.

 

[anniekins]

Tonight I've spotted a few suspicious areas on the background of the tank and I fear the BGA is returning. The substrate appears to be clear at the moment but what steps do I need to take now? Feeling out of my depth and rather dissapointed as I thought it had cleared!

 

[RadaR]

Make sure there is no decaying matter in the tank or filters. 25-50% water change every other day and dose the Nitrogen every day.
Check to see if flow is getting to the infected areas.

 

[anniekins]

Have been dosing Nitro and Carbo each day, and done a gravel vac yesterday. Plants look quite good at the moment. I have noticed a small area of green sand in the back corner of the tank. Not a good sign!

Have been looking at powerheads tonight as maybe that holds the key to the problem. Would I need a flow rate of 900 or 1500 for 65L?

Appreciate your advice as always.

 

[RadaR]

The 900lph will be fine. Probably better suited to your needs.
I have known high-light 60litre tanks to do very well with 1500lph though.
Were you looking at the Koralias made by Hydor?