Green Spot Algae

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markandhisfish

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i recently decided to go with some real plants ( low tech) to fill some gaps in my tank. i have allways kept the lighting low in my tank for the happiness of the fish but now im getting some propper plants ive reverted to using 2 tubes which are both on all day ( is this too long?) i dont does with any ferts etc. what am i doing wrong and how do i prevent the algae?
 
With high light, you dont need it on all day long :crazy: 7-8hrs a day is plenty. The light will contribute to the GSA.
 
ah right so maybe switch 1 tube off after about 8 hours?
 
ah right so maybe switch 1 tube off after about 8 hours?

No, aim for a photoperiod of 6-8 hours, regardless of your lighting level. If the tank is new, go down to 6 hours or a little less. The plants will be fine. What is the size of the tank (gallons), and the wattage of the bulbs you are using? You may only need 1 tube if you don't want to inject CO2. What are you growing?

Show me a picture. :)

llj
 
the tank is a 453 (100 uk gallon) litre 4x2x2 im running 2 42 inch arcadia original tropical 38w tubes no co2 injection or ferts etc . all im growing plant-wise is some valis as a bit of background fill and im thinking of maybe having some java moss or anubias on some of the bogwood.

the tank has been up and running for about 16 months altho until now has never had much in the way of plants , mostly due to my severum but he seems to leave the valis alone so id like to try and get some growing as i know my angls will appreciate them plus i like the look of real plnts more than silk ones.
 
Low CO2 and/or low phosphates have been linked to GSA.

How often do you change the tank's water?

I agree that those could be possibilities, but the tank isn't all that planted and that could be a problem too.

At anyrate a reduction of the photoperiod to a more managable level is a start.

Buy a cheap timer and run your lights with them. You'll be fine with the 2 tubes. How often do you change your water? That could also be a factor in low-light setups.

llj
 
i do a weekly water change every saturday of at least 30 to 40% cleaning the sand at the same time. i have told my girlfriend that we need to have the lights on less each day so today she didnt switch them on until mid-day.

on a plus side tho the valis is growing like wildfire . i hve heard that moss balls can help reduce lgae as well is there any truth in this? also would you advise i scrape the gsa off the glass or as i have read on another site let it run its cycle then scrape and do a big water change?
 
i may be making progress, i have drasticly reduced the amount of time the lights are on for . now they are not switched on untill mid-day and at 6 pm 1 tube is turned off so the light is much dimmer and at about 10 all lights go out. the gsa is stille there as i have just left it but it doesnt seem to be spreading any more, so tomorrow im going to scrape it off and see how it gos .
 

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