Help Please

[backtotropical]

Is it algae? What is causing it? How can i get rid of it?

PH 7.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Temp 26c
Dosing TPN liquid once per week and root tabs
2 x 54w Plant Pro T5s (recently switched from 4 x T5s on advice from here)
No CO2

Thanks in advance for help.

 

[drewry]

hi yeah i had the same problem for ages then i changed my fish food and i dont get it any more
i think its blanket weed

 

[garuf]

I don't think its blanket weed I had that and it didn't look anything like that, id guess black bush/beard algae but I could be wrong.

 

[backtotropical]

Any ideas what to do to get rid of it and stop it coming back?

I have read George's pinned thread about algae, but still don't understand. Tank is well planted and plants seem to be growing well. Don't know why i've got this horrible stuff.

Overdose of nutrients?

Lack of CO2?

Too much light?

I just don't know.

 

[garuf]

Try james c's website, also search out rex grigg's guide id link you up but im at collge

 

[nry]

What size is the tank?

 

[JamesC]

Looks like BBA, Staghorn and Diatoms. My website (link in signature) has an algae guide to help you ID them and also provide treatments. Not having any CO2 is the reason you have these. Diatoms is most likely due to if your tank is new.

James

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah it looks like staghorn algae. I have exactly the same problem in my tank at the moment because my CO2 levels where not stable for a couple of weeks. Lack of CO2 in a well lit, well fertilised tank is the most likely cause.

Also staghorn apprently can also come up if you distrub the substrate a lot, it would also be worth giving the filter a clean (not in tap water obviously).

I have got my CO2 levels back to normal again now and it is starting to get back under control. I did have to trim back quite a lot of my plants though to take out the worst of it. Try and take out what you can by hand and I would definitly try and get some CO2 going.

Dosing with Excel apprently is very good for killing it off. I havent tried this yet as I prefer to try and just sort out the cause and make sure it goes away by itself. It could be an idea to give this a go in your case though before it gets to bad.

So I short I would:
Get some CO2.
Clean the filter, gravel vac if you can.
Remove as much as possible by hand, cut out any leaves that are heavily covered.
Maybe dose with excel.

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks a lot guys. That gives me something to go on. I'll get some kind of CO2 going this weekend.

Meantime i'll cut back any heavily covered leaves and may consider getting some Excel.

I've not forgot you Nry, it's 260 litres (Juwel Vision 260). You can see it here.

Meantime, this will give you an idea of how planted it is.

Thanks again.

 

[frozenbarb]

BBA.... boost your Co2.....

 

[blue acara]

Nice tank backtotropical. And yup no co2+high light = algae. Flourish Excel will kill most of that algae(hair like algae) and adding co2 will keep it away.

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks a lot. I'm going to get my first CO2 system tomorrow.

I will also ask if they have any Excel. Thanks a lot for all your help everyone.

 

[backtotropical]

Ok, quick update. I've installed a CO2 system and i'm just fiddling with it at the moment to get the output right.

I've linked it up to the same timer as my lights so it's on for 9 hours per day.

I've cut lighting down to 9 hours from 10 and halved dosing also. I will wait and see what happens.

I couldn't get Excel, so i'll see if i can remedy this without it. If not, i might order it from AE at a later date.

I am not sure if i have done the right thing lowering the dosing and lighting period. Can anyone advise? Bearing in mind i'm now running CO2. Also, should i continue with 2 x 54w T5s or go back to 4 x 54w T5s.

Thanks again.

BTT

 

[backtotropical]

Ok, it seems to be getting worse. I think i did the wrong thing cutting lighting time and dosing. I will try going the other way ie increase CO2, dosing and lighting.

I would really appreciate some opinions on this. I dont know if its the right thing to do.

My train of thought is along the lines that plants require more nutrients, light and CO2 to grow than algae does, so if i increase these things, i hope the plants will flourish, and therefore starve the algae. Could that be right?

Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers

 

[backtotropical]

Bump.

Someone help, please?