Algae Problem

[ChilliPepper]

Get this brown stuff on my wood and leaves of plants. The set up is not dosed with Co2 and has 2 x 39w bulbs, which are on for approx 5 hours in the evening.

Any ideas what it is and what I can do to get rid of it? Also, do you know what these white spots are on the wood, are they snail eggs?

 

[lljdma06]

How big is your tank and what's your filtration?

 

[PDSimon]

http/www.jsctech.co.uk/theplantedtank/algae.htm

Looks like you might match a couple on there, which seems consistent with low co2 and/or poor filtration as llj is curious to know!

Not sure about those white things... you're probably right though.

 

[snowflake311]

You have a zebra snail ? Yes they are snail eggs and will not hatch they will just stay there. Nerite snail eggs need salt to hatch. I have one of those stupid snails. They poop more then any Pleco I have met and leave these white eggs.

You have some bba trying to grow on the ends of your leafs. But that brown dusty looking stuff is snail poop not algae. You might want to get rid of the snail they make more mess then clean.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Aha, thanks Snowflake! Might move the devils into my Betta's tank. The eggs are gross and ruining the appearance of the tank.

Tank is a 50g and filtered with an Eheim 2217+ at 1,000 l p/h, so it's over filtered. Did have a Koralia Nano powerhead on there as well but since we moved we haven't put it back on.

Does look like the brush algae, so must be due to low Co2. How can I solve this problem in the cheapest way possible? I am looking to get a few more live plants.

Ah it says on the bottom that overdosing with Flourish Excel will clear it up. I have a bottle but always forgetting to use it. How much should I put in to clear the algae and then to keep it away?

 

[ChilliPepper]

Would it be enough to keep some plants growing nicely and the algae away by regularly using a plant fertiliser? Or will I need a full blown CO2 system?

 

[PDSimon]

Hmm... does the algae invasion seem to have happened since removing the powerhead? I have a 1000lph filter and a 950lph koralia in my 30g as it does help in planted tanks... The dirt acculating on the plants can be a good sign for the flow. Maybe consider putting that powerhead back in. Adding liquid carbon might be helpful if you sort out the flow, as will as extra waterchanges... I am currently going through a similar thing to you and put in 5ml in everyday at the moment so you're looking at 6-7ml in your tank.. once it starts to die down you can reduce it again.

Would it be possible to get a full tank shot? then working out ferts would be easier If you are looking to add more plants then ferts is probably a good option

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks, we do 50% w/c change a week so that should be more than sufficient.

I will put the powerhead back in and dose with Flourish excel. The tank is 190L, 100cm x 45cm x 45cm I think.

 

[PDSimon]

I meant to get an idea of the plant mass rather than the size!

Good luck

 

[snowflake311]

I gave up my fight with bba I just clean it every time I do a water change and every few months I take stuff out and bleach it. I have it under control but I can't get rid of it. The bba does not grow in my high light nano thank god.

More plants would help if you gave the plant enough co2 and ferts so they can grow fast and out grow the bba. That's why I don't have it in my nano I have co2 and add ferts so the plants grow like weeds and the bba can't keep up.

Just keep the tank clean and manually remove bba eve wc. Cut any leaf that is really bad. If you do that you can keep it in check. I have tried the excel and it did not work well. Spot treatment of hydrogen peroxide kills bba fast. I did this for a little but gave up on it. Try to fix the problem and just clean it off.

 

[ChilliPepper]

I meant to get an idea of the plant mass rather than the size!

Good luck

Oh I see! Only got Anubias Nana in there at the moment. Have a Lotus Red Lilly and some Crypts currently in my Betta's tank, but going to put them back in here. I am going to order a few more Crypts and some other mid level lighting plants to put in there.

I put some Excel in there last night and will try and keep on top of that and see if it helps. Will dig the powerhead out and get that put back in as well.

 

[PDSimon]

Oh right, that makes more sense then Because anubias are slow growing and are more likely to be effected by algae, especially if there is a fair bit of light on them... Getting some faster growing plants, like hygrophila difformis will help. Having all slow growing plants seem to be harder than having a variety. I'm sure you know but excel only lasts 24 hours so you've got to dose it daily for it to be effective.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Oh right, that makes more sense then Because anubias are slow growing and are more likely to be effected by algae, especially if there is a fair bit of light on them... Getting some faster growing plants, like hygrophila difformis will help. Having all slow growing plants seem to be harder than having a variety. I'm sure you know but excel only lasts 24 hours so you've got to dose it daily for it to be effective.

Thank you, how much should I put in each day? I put 5 capfuls in last night. I have ordered some more plants today

 

[PDSimon]

I'm not sure how much cap wise, for easycarbo I think 7ml should be a good number? work out the recommended dosing for your tank and just work from that up a bit. (which I imagine to be 6-7). I don't use excel.. not sure if they differ.

and nice one

 

[ChilliPepper]

I have some EasyCarbo on order, but have Flourish to use up. Can I use both at once? Maybe a capful a day? I have shrimp so don't want to harm them, oh and Khulis who can be sensitive.

I have added the powerhead so the turnover in the tank is now 10x.... Should be sufficient for keeping algae at bay, or at least, distributing the nutrients properly.