Green Spot Algae

[Spinal]

Well, I have a serious green spot algae infestation. I was thinking that if I let it bloom, I would have no trouble scraping it off and changing the water... no chance!

Scraping it off doesn't seem to work with my magnetic spongy thing...

I have no idea whatsoever about what my phosphate levels are... I live in Uxbridge, so maybe someone who lives in this area can enlighten me to the phosphate levels in his/her tap water.

The lights are on a 4-1-6 schedule (4 hrs on, 1 off, 6 on) but as of tonight, I'm changing it to 5-2-5. I'm injecting CO2 at around 22ppm during the day, off+airstone at night; I will start leaving it on at night and just turning on the airstone at night to vent the CO2 (this should keep the CO2 alot more stable from day to day).

Fertilisers are reconstituted powders bought on eBay (jungle juice), and I'm going the EI way. Every week I do a 25% water change, and ever month a 50-60% water change.

Ideas? I'm a step away from dumping some chemical in the tank... I really am exasperated (especially as the bulk of these are on the back pane of the glass, where I can't even scrub!)

Michele

 

[zig]

Hello Michele

If it is indeed GSA you need to add more phosphate presuming this is a highlight +2WPG tank, your phosphate levels may not have completely bottomed out just yet but the GSA is telling you to add more. A phosphate testkit is a good idea IMO when starting off with EI. Scrape off the algae and add some PO4 and this will keep the algae from returning. You should really aim for 30ppm CO2 also again presuming this is a highlight tank. Good luck with your tank.

 

[ArielC]

ive had the same problem. is it really that simple? just add phosphate? how do you know how much to add?

 

[Spinal]

Perfect thanks! I'll include a phosphate test kit and some phosphate from my next aquaessatials order (also need some lights to host CFC's snakeheads, and while I'm at it, some wood ).

The tank is just barely over 2WpG, at 250litres and 110+36W, I'm looking at around 2.2WpG.

I must admit, I actually thought GSA were a sign of HIGH phosphates, not LOW ooops...

Thanks for the advice (Quick note, I noticed some of the spots are turning brown, not many, but some... whopee! I'm still adding phosphates though )

Michele