Started To Get Algae

[Joinerlavin]

Hi, Ive noticed that my plants and my bogwood have started to get a dark greenish algae and my battery syphon will not pick it up, im currently doing a fishless cycle, what is the easiest way to remove it from the wood and leaves?

 

[Colin_T]

take the wood out and hose it off.
re: the plants, it depends on the type of algae. Decreasing the light might help, but normally healthy plants will produce a chemical that prevents algae from growing on their leaves. Are you fertilising the plants and what sort of plants do you have?

 

[Joinerlavin]

I only have 2 crypts in my 10 gal tank, I dont use fertilizer, just eco-complete gravel and c02 machine

 

[Colin_T]

adding CO2 when there is only 2 crypts in a tank is a waste. I would turn off the CO2 and not bother using it until you have more plants in the tank. Then reduce the light and that should help reduce the algae.

 

[Joinerlavin]

well I am only going to be having the 2 plants, got no fish in yet so the plants wont be getting any c02 if I remove the kit?

 

[Truck]

well I am only going to be having the 2 plants, got no fish in yet so the plants wont be getting any c02 if I remove the kit?

what is the lighting in this tank in watts, and are they T8's ( inch in diameter) or T5's (less than an inch in diameter)?

and how long are they on for a day, and is the CO2 unit a fermentation based kit?

 

[Colin_T]

there is plenty of CO2 in the atmosphere and in the tank water. Adding supplemental CO2 when there is only a couple of plants is not necessary as they will get all they need from the water. And the water will be replenished from the air. Also the filter bacteria and fish (although there aren't any in the tank currently) will produce CO2 and the plants can use that.

 

[Joinerlavin]

the light is a 15watt light, its one of those what look like an energy saving light. Its on for 12 hours a day, and the c02 machine is a nutrufin yeast based one.

 

[Truck]

there is plenty of CO2 in the atmosphere and in the tank water. Adding supplemental CO2 when there is only a couple of plants is not necessary as they will get all they need from the water. And the water will be replenished from the air. Also the filter bacteria and fish (although there aren't any in the tank currently) will produce CO2 and the plants can use that.

this will only be plausible if the OP isnt running high light

the light is a 15watt light, its one of those what look like an energy saving light. Its on for 12 hours a day, and the c02 machine is a nutrufin yeast based one.

reduce your photoperiod to 8 hours. and keep the CO2 system

 

[Joinerlavin]

ok so change the light to 8 hours a day and keep the c02

 

[Truck]

yes, if you remove the CO2, the there is a small chance of the algae coming back.

 

[Joinerlavin]

ok thanks