I Have An Algae Problem

[This Old Spouse]

My 55g has a recurring problem with what I think is BBA but I can't seem to control it and I'm wondering if you have any suggestions. I'm going to spend a number of hours later today to try and get rid of all I can see, but I'm reasonably sure it will return. I use Flourish Excel but it doesn't seem to do much. Could it be the piece of wood that's causing it? I don't really know how it grows. It seems to affect only certain leaves, but not all. Here's a couple of photos.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

55gal, how much excel are you using?

 

[This Old Spouse]

55gal, how much excel are you using?

Not nearly enough, but I can't afford as much as they recommend. I do a full dose once a week.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

See that is where your problem may be, it has a short half life so by the time you re dose you would have had nearly none in your tank for a couple of days, this fluctuation can cause BBA, low nitrates can cause this too, ar you dosing ferts at all and what lighting and plants do you have as you may find you don't need the excel?

 

[This Old Spouse]

I just did a complete rescape of the tank, removing several groups of plants and the large piece of driftwood and large chunk of granite. I think the wood may have been causing a large number of problems, as it always had some kind of growth on it. Everything is scrubbed down and reasonably algae free right now, so I'll see what happens from here. I have rather high lighting in there now, just got a new hood fixture some months ago that does well. I may go back to Flourish as it always worked well for me.

I wish I could afford some of your lighting!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well if you use excel then use daily with ferts or it will come back, no worries, thats what wee're here for.

 

[Gaqua77]

Wood may be the problem causing agent. Reorganize the tank, it will definitely work for you.