Questions

[superjalami30]

Alright.
I've had my 3 G planted tank set up for about 3 weeks now.
C02 levels are through the roof and the plants are growing outta control.
The pygmy chain and brazilian micro swords are sending out runners faster than I cant count them!
But...
I have a high Phosphate level from the tap and I think this may be causing algae blooms in this tank.
Lots of green spot algae, thats ok though.
It's the dam green slime algae I cant seem to get under control.
Nutrient levels are fine so thats why I think it may be the phosphate causing the problems.
Does anyone have any idea's on how I can keep the algae under control in such a small tank?
What about peat pellots, like the filter media for the fluvol filters?
(I'd like to get some red sea florabase but no one here carrys it)

I cant use fish because I'm keeping the C02 levels as high as I can get 'em.

I'm kinda stumped.

edit...Just had a though.....java moss to help soak up the extra's?

 

[houndour]

could you post some specifics?

What values are you phosphates, nitrates, CO2?

What light are you using and how much?

//edit

is it possible you have too much light/co2/nutrients for the growth rate of plants, therefore the algae is flourishing?

 

[zig]

How high are the levels of PO4 and how much light are you useing, the green spot algae is probably due to the high amounts of light you are useing, dont know about the slimy stuff though.

If the PO4 is really through the roof mix your tap water with RO water to reduce it when you do a water change, just an idea.

 

[superjalami30]

Nitrate levels are appox 20ppm
C02 was over 100ppm (last I checked.)
P04 is at 6ppm
I'm using 20 watts of compact flourescents. (3 Gallon Tank=6.8 WPG)

I think its the P04 thats causing the problem, as I have in my bigger tanks but am able to keep in under control due to them being much larger established tanks with plenty of plants.

I would have to buy an RO unit to add Ro water wouldnt I?
I cant buy one of those, the wife will LOSE it on me!
lol.

It is possible I have to much light and C02 for the amount of plants in the tank, although, the pygmy chain and brazilian micro swords are getting quite dense since I added them so hopefully this will help the problem.
Thats why I thought about adding the java moss.
I took it out shortly after setting up this tank for to make more room for the brazilian micro swords.
I added a dose of black water extract to cut down a bit on the light passing through the water, I may have to put the second compact I'm using on a timer to cut back a bit on the photo peroid I 'spose.

It's not all that bad yet, but I like to keep things under control before they get outta hand.

Dont 'spose the peat would help?
I thought I read somewhere that "redsea's florabase" was good for soaking up extra nutrients in the water and helps keep the water clear as well.

 

[houndour]

I'm hoping Zig will step in here cos I don't know what to say.

From reading the Tom Barr report I got the impression that if you had too much of something it shouldn't be a problem but there is a point where you can have too too much of something and it'll have an adverse effect.

You could try adding the java moss back see if that stops/ slows down the algae.

I guess the only way to find out for sure is to change one factor at a time.

Do you have a photo of your 3 gallon? I'd love to see it. Am setting up a 5 gallon planted tank of my own.

 

[zig]

Well just think of yourself as a pioneer, to levels in a planted tank where no man has gone before

Id probably reduce the light slightly and the co2, but still keep levels high for the co2 probably 50ppm or something like that, i dont really know TBH i dont have a nano and have never had to deal with high levels like that, you should be able to buy small amounts of RO water at a decent lfs you dont need to buy the unit for that small amount, its cheap also pennies per liter.

Ive heard of people having PO4 levels of 5 and over and not having any problems but they would have been in a normal tank and like you say its ok in your other normal sized tanks.

 

[superjalami30]

Zig
"Ive heard of people having PO4 levels of 5 and over and not having any problems but they would have been in a normal tank and like you say its ok in your other normal sized tanks."

Thats just it, My P04 levels in my other planted tanks are above 10PPM with no algae problems....anymore.
I started dosing properly and added C02 and things cleared up.

The green spot algae I expect, even like.
But the green slime I'm seeing is gross. lol
I've never seen this slime in my tanks before and have no idea what to do.

houndour, thats exactly true, which is why I tend to belive its the P04 in such a small tank, with high lighting and high C02 combined.
I'm sure though, that high light and high levels of C02 arent to blame in themsleves.

GF, what do you think?
(if he see's this)

 

[zig]

Auctually just as i think of it gf225 was doing some experiments in his tank lately, in one of them he changed his photoperiod to 12 hours straight from 5 on 2 off 5 on again, after about a week or even less, i cant exactly remember, he started seeing slimy algae he had never seen before he didnt even know what it was, needless to say he reverted back to the old photoperiod and the algae disappeared, so maybe there is something in reduceing the photoperiod, but i dont really know, im sure you will work it out.

Good luck with it, post some pics later when you get sorted.

gf is on holidays for a couple of weeks, but he may drop in if he finds a computer to use.

 

[superjalami30]

Ah I see.
Ya, when the tanks looking good I'l post a few pics fer sure.

Can I still upload pics here from photobucket?
Last time I tried it wouldnt let me.