How Can I Fight My Algae Problem? Help Please :)

Andy-lee · Apr 7, 2011

Hey everyone, its not a major break out but its still there never the less

Excuse the particles, taken just after feeding.

Its been lingering a while but its getting worse.
180L
AquaOne 1050 external filter
Lighting is 2 30" T8 bulbs both 25W one tropical and one normal white light, on from 5 till 11 so 6 hours a day.
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate around 40 (i think, very hard to judge correctly in my opinion)
Water changes are round 30% every week.
Api leaf zone dosed on same day as water change 20ml
Fish fed once a day with a few flakes and one crushed algae wafer for all the bottom feeders.
No CO2
No Airstone in the tank
Very little surface agitation as i heard this puts oxygen into the water thus reducing the CO2 that the fish produce that the plants need?

I also have a koralia 900 powerhead coming to help increase the flow in the tank a little,

Full tank pic

So any suggestions on what i can do?
Help very appreciated
Cheers
Andy

Andy-lee · Apr 9, 2011

Any one?

onebto · Apr 9, 2011

Algae is a pain I have had no end of trouble with it :sick:

This resource is used by many I recommend a read: http

/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

Regards onebto.

ian · Apr 9, 2011

I personally think you need some C02 addition in there, BBA isn't helped by unstable C02. If you was to start dosing something like Easycarbo you'd see a difference within a week. You light isn't high, so you 'd be fine with liquid carbon.

Andy-lee · Apr 9, 2011

Thanks for the link onebto

ianho said:
I personally think you need some C02 addition in there, BBA isn't helped by unstable C02. If you was to start dosing something like Easycarbo you'd see a difference within a week. You light isn't high, so you 'd be fine with liquid carbon.

Thanks for the advice, can you recomend one? If i was to start dosing this woud i need to alter anything else?
Cheers
Andy

ian · Apr 9, 2011

http

/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/easy-life-easycarbo-250ml-p-1716.html?zenid=vgmk5ejtjth33b37o3tkpem8u4

I would keep an eye on things, but i think you'd be OK. I would buy some different Trace though as the API stuff isn't very cost effective...

here you go an even better deal!

http

/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/easy-life-easycombo-250ml-p-2766.html

I use the Profito, and it's very cost effective.