String Algae

[Angry_Platy]

I have been doing the E.I. Dosing method for a month or so now and recently got a pressurised CO2 cylinder. Initially the effects on the algae were great, as in, I had no algae on the glass and minimal on the plants. NOW though, I am getting long strands of algae that stretch from plant to plant. When I remove it it detaches very easily but seems to grow back with a vengeance. ATM it kinda looks like I have green cobwebs in my tank. Now I know it is Halloween and all but this is just ridiculous.

I maintain nitrates at 16ppm, phosphates at 1ppm, CO2 between 30 and 40ppm, lights on for 12 hours a day.....

Any ideas?

 

[zig]

Are you dosing sufficient micros?

Id say its an issue with co2, most algae isuues are to do with co2 if you are dosing sufficient macros and micros, but double check that you are, i know your test kits are showing you have enough co2 but the algae is telling a different tale, the algae doesnt lie, testkits can. Also i would reduce the photo period to 10 hours a day until you get to source of the problem this should help quite a bit.

But i would double check everything you are doing, thats why i think its always a good idea to state all the stats when you have algae issues just in case you are overlooking something that someone else can easily spot.

That would be my best guess AP, but your probably pushing the boundries anyway having the lights on for 12 hours per day.

 

[jimbooo]

Hi mate, i'd love to help but i think i'm in the same boat as you.

does it look anything like this, obviously not as bad but is the type of algae the same.

i've had traces of that in the tank for ages and like you for the past 2 weeks have had
N-15
P-1
CO2 - 30/45
12hrs light (4 hr siesta).

plus micro dosing.

i'm wondering if my tubes are in need of replacing, there all about 6 months old. apart from that everythings (seemingly) perfect.

dont get me wrong it's not obscene but theres always the odd strand tangled in the riccia or blowing in the current from a leaf. it's rather annoying to say the least.

 

[Angry_Platy]

Yeah jimboo.....exactly like that though not as bad. Still annoying though.

I do admit I have been a bit slack on the micro dosing. I am very stringent with NO3 and PO4 addition adding those every 2nd day. On the in between days I do think I sometimes forget the micros. Could that be whats causing the algae problem? I will be a LOT more stringent with it now that I know its th epossible reason.

I will also try the reduced lighting as per zigs suggestion. I will also turn the CO2 bubble rate up to see if that helps.

Thanks peeps

 

[oldwhitewood]

From my experience it could be caused by that long photoperiod, mine is basically the same photoperiod as yours but 10 hours with a 2 hour lights off. I have read somethings that suggest a photoperiod lights out is not really that effective at all. But it seems to be working for me and I'm of the "if it aint broke dont fix it" mindset right now. I have had that alage in the past but I upped my CO2 slightly and that seemed to resolve it. You could also add some c japonica/amano shrimp as they do tend to deal with that kind of algae until it gets too big for them, they wont touch the strands but will most likely keep it from getting too long.

 

[jimbooo]

well just for fun i've planted glosso in my rekord 60 (still with a small trace of that algae)

i've removed my siesta to help the glosso take hold. 12 hrs straight at 2.5wpg now so i'll update you in a week.

if the algae gets worse the light will be the only varient.