Dusty Green Algae On Glass

[jkc]

Hi Guys,

I have a Rena Classic 120x50 aquarium. I havent changed the lighting as yet so only 4x30W tubes. Ihave pressurized CO2 running at around 33ppm. As the lights didnt have reflectors I added 2 one week then two the next. I now have a green dusty algae that grows on the glass within two or three days of clearing it off.

I have yet to go down the EI route as I though my light wasnt strong enough. Am currently only using Leaf Zone.

Do you think the algae is due to nutrient defficiency?? I have noticed that I have hardly any nitrate in the tank but phosphate is quite high in our water locally.

I feel a bit bumed really as the tank was doing really well before I added the reflectors. I assumed it would sort itself out within a few weeks but its been about 3-4 now!!

Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance

James

 

[Themuleous]

It could be low NO3, TBH I'm never very sure when it comes to these things, but I know low NO3 can cause several types of algae. Trying adding some extra NO3 and see if that helps? Aim for around 20-30ppm. Dry KNO3 from Aquaessentials would do it.

I guess you could always just remove the reflectors? Save them for when you convert to EI?

Sam

 

[jkc]

Thanks Sam,

As Im helping out a LFS and get trade price I have just ordered in all the seachems products id need with intention of starting EI. Do you know of any calculator for Seachems products as I think there guideline dosages arent all that accurate!?

 

[Themuleous]

Sorry no, not used them myself

 

[jkc]

Found what I was looking for

Thanks Mr G!! - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=144804&hl=

If you read this id be interested to see the calculator!! Surprised you didnt get any replies to that topic!!

 

[Chris_Wood]

I used to get the same problem before I went to EI!

CW

 

[MoreCoffee]

Found what I was looking for

Thanks Mr G!! - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=144804&hl=

If you read this id be interested to see the calculator!! Surprised you didnt get any replies to that topic!!

Hi,

You won't know if it's what you're looking for until you've seen it

You can get a copy from the link in my sig. It's just an excel spreadsheet, so you'll need MS excel in order to run it............

By default it is configured for Seachem's Flourish range (7 products),it can calculate the dosage each product for up to 4 different sized tanks. Some instructions are included, however it is quite straightforward.

All you need to do is enter a name for each tank (to identify it) and enter the tank volume in Ltr's.
Then just select the products you'll be dosing each day (already configured with those in the seachem dosing plan). Link, bottom left of page HERE

The default products and suggested doses can be altered, so in theory it could be used for any liquid ferts, but I've only tried it with Flourish so far !

I've checked the formula and dont think I've missed anything and the few people who have had a look at it have not reported anything wrong .............. However the usual 'disclaimers' apply
Let me know if you see anything wrong in it !!

I was thinking about adding in some calcs for the Flourish Nitrogen and Phosphorus 'Expert' dosing methods, but only if I get bored !


Mr G

 

[Themuleous]

That's some fine work Mr G, very community minded of you.

Sam

 

[MoreCoffee]

That's some fine work Mr G, very community minded of you.

Sam

Oh if only the truth were known ..........

I use excel at work and needed to brush up on a few things (as I tend to just use the same formula time after time), so I did it at work ........ under the 'training' banner

Also I wanted a quick way to work out the Flourish doses for my own tanks.
I'm thinking about running one of my tanks using ADA brighty ferts ..... it should be very easy to modify to cover those ferts instead of Flourish ..... guess what I'm doing next time I'm 'training'

Al

 

[Themuleous]

shocking! Getting paid to do fish things! Haha how can I wangle that one at work... TBH I go all over the country with work, its a great opportunity to visit lost of LFS all over the place!

Sam

 

[craynerd]

Dust algae is VERY tricky to get rid of, when you whipe it off it releases more spores into the water!!

The best way i believe is to let it grow and after 2 weeks it will change colour and begin to fall off. At this point wipe it and no spores are released.

Its seems certainly the best way from what i have read but it must be difficult to leave your tank looking like a mess for a few weeks!!

Chris

 

[Themuleous]

Didnt know that Chris, will give that a try on my tank, cos I just wip it off at the moment! That'll explain why I get loads more each week!

Sam

 

[craynerd]

let me know how you get on mate.

Just google Dust algae and there are lots of threads on it. Its horrible and people tend not to be able to cope with the mess, but if you can stick with it looking crap for a good few weeks then it normally dies on its own accord. The problem is when people scrape it off too early and more spores are released. There is apparently a significant colour change when it dies.

Let me know how it goes mate. I admit i have never had the problem so never tried it but i have seen countless journals/forum posts of people with it using this method to get rid!

Let us know

Chris

 

[Themuleous]

Will do