Flow Rate - Cause Of Algae ?

[L_Plates]

Morning all.

Im a little concerned about my flow rate in my tank as i am seeing Algae growth.

Tanks stats.
Juwel Rio 240
Size: 121 x 41 x 55 cm
Volume: 240 litres
Lighting system: Twin 54w T5 High Lites. On for 6 hours a day.
Filter System: Compact H
C02: FE Setup
Ferts: 10ml TPN+ Daily

Tank Shot

Now i think the pump that comes with the compact h filter is 600lph ( Here is a link http/www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/standard205.htm?cat=75 )

Now i have added a SEIO M250 Powerhead which is up to 1000lph ( And another link http/www.aquariumsuperstore.co.uk/Seio-Superflow-M250.html )

So combined this gives me 1600lph which is 800lph short of the recommended 10x turnover.

So i suppose my question is, would you be in agreement that this could be the problem ? and that i need to up the flow.

If so i was thinking of replacing the SEIO powerhead for a Hydor Koralia. But would i be better getting 2 smaller Hydors or one of the larger ones ?

Cheers for reading.

LP

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I'm viewing this on an iPhone so difficult to see but is the algae in the sag at the front? If so then I'd say you don't have enough flow in there, it's prob a dead spot so I'd get a koralia and aim it towards it in the direction you flow currently goes.

 

[StandbySetting]

Try placing the powerhead in a different position, try the opposing end of the tank and have it so the flow brushes past the algae.

 

[L_Plates]

The wood on the right has dark green carpet algae on it ( BGA ? )

The wood on the left has small fluffy algae looks wierd and is a blue/grey colour. Not alot but its there.

Also some of the plants have stringy algae coming off the leaves.

Cheers LP

 

[L_Plates]

Try placing the powerhead in a different position, try the opposing end of the tank and have it so the flow brushes past the algae.

The powerhead currently goes through the plants on the left as you look at the photo but the leaves are still showing algae. The plants are slow growers so i dont know if i should expect to see some algae on them.

I was thinking of removing the old SEIO and replacing it with 2 Hydor Koralia NANO Evolution 900s as i feel that when the flow hits the plants it might be causing alot of flow to slow down and not circulate around the tank. So with 1 Hydor at each end of the tank this may be a better option ?

Cheers LP

 

[Ps3Steveo]

It's a good idea but just make sure they don't fight any flow you already have. Also how often are you doing water changes atcthe moment? I'd up thevwater changes and add more flow as looking at the scape so far there will be a lot of ares where the flow is limited.

The blue grey stuff can also be a type of bacteria which you can manually remove and after a short while won't come back, I had it on my brackish scapes wood and it's just a type of bacteria in the wood, I upped the flow, cleaned it off and it never came back, same with my algae in there, puffers create some serious waste and it was a constant struggle ESP with the ammount of wood reducing flow but adding more got rid of it.

 

[L_Plates]

For the past two weeks i have done a weekly 70% water change. While doing that i have been scraping away the algae from the wood so it was syphoned straight out of the tank.

Its not over running the tank in anyway but i would rather nip it in the butt before it gets out of control.

Any recommendations of online shops selling the Hydors ?

Cheers
LP

 

[Tizer]

£21

Was next day delivery for my filters, good service.

Might get one myself for the new tank! Although my vallis is getting battered all over the shop with the two filters i put in

 

[L_Plates]

Cheers Tizer

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Need to do daily or every other day water changes when algae gets bad as every week it gives the algae a chance to re establish, more flow may get the cause ie ammonia build up spots into the filter where it will be converted to nitrites then nitrates and hopefully stop it from re occurring.

 

[L_Plates]

Cheers Guys, i have ordered 2 900 Hydors for delivery tomorrow. I will do an extra wc a week as its not over running the tank as mentioned above.

Hopefully the increased flow will catch any dead spots.

Just need to figure out the best places for the 2 hydors now

Cheers LP

 

[Tizer]

You bast! You got two! I'll have to wait a few days now! oh well, not like i havnt got a million and one things to do.

 

[L_Plates]

Yeh i rang them first, do they have none left ?

If not sorry mate hehe.

LP

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Just figure out the flow direction in your tank and put them in positions that increase the filters flow as well as aiming towards the dead spots.

 

[L_Plates]

Will do. ill update as soon as i have them setup tomorrow evening.

Cheers again, LP