Rusty Plants?! Dave Spencer Are You There?

[doresy]

Hi, if you are reading this Dave you may remember I had the black, soot-like algae forming over everything which I cleared (for 3 week or more) with your suggestion of using Flourish Excel (which I use faily).

Now, over the last couple of days I can see rust-like algae forming!

I am really upset as since using the Flourish Excel (and Flourish Fertilizer) the tank has been crystal clear and algae free so any ideas on the lastest plague

Of course I would be happy to hear from any other members' thoughts

Here are some pictures of the affending algae (RedBull had to get in on the action! )

 

[aaronnorth]

The rust like algae is probably diatoms, how long is your lighting period, and how long has the tank been set up?

 

[doresy]

The rust like algae is probably diatoms, how long is your lighting period, and how long has the tank been set up?

The tank has been going for several months now. Lighting is abut 7-8 hours a day with very little ambient light and no direct sunlight.

Used to get black everywhere but that has stopped since using Flourish Excel daily (still using it) Now the brown stuff is getting serious.

 

[aaronnorth]

try having your lighting on a longer period, say 12 hours, short photoperiods are said to cause diatoms. other than that i dont know what else causes it (except ammonia & silicates but that is usually in new set ups)

 

[doresy]

try having your lighting on a longer period, say 12 hours, short photoperiods are said to cause diatoms. other than that i dont know what else causes it (except ammonia & silicates but that is usually in new set ups)

It has me stumped and aside from yourself I do not have many takers on this situation. My larger tank right next to it and on the same timer however does not suffer with this problem but I will increase lighting time as only very low light enters the room during the day. Thanks for your time .