Thread Algea

[grass569]

about 2 months ago i re did my tank and have gone into real plants for the first time. I changed the substrate to V fine gravel with tropica substrate? underneath (cant remember the real name for it).
I put in quite a few fast growing plants that were recomended on this forum and have recently changed the tubes to 1 30W flora glo and 1 30W aqua glo and since doing this the plants have all starting growing like mad the problem i have is fine threads on the leaves of some of the plants (look like short greenish whiskers) and there are afew long strands coming of another plant it isnt too bad at the moment but would like to catch it early b4 it gets bad

The readings from my test are as follows
Nitrite 0
amonia 0
ph 7

The tank is 180L - 40G with a juwel internal and an eheim classic 2215 running
I do a 30% waterchange everyweek and put in tropica aquacare at the same time
Lights are on for about 14 hrs a day

Fish
Neons
Zebra danios x 5
Blue platy X 5
Small Plec (cant remember which one but one of the smaller growing ones)
RTBS
Clown loach x 3 (i know theses are too big for the tank but they are only about 3" at the min and im getting another bigger tank later on in the year)

Not sure if ive put down everything needed for help but if anyone has got any ideas i would be grateful ive read around on the forum and have many ideas ie co2, lighting times, algea eaters etc
Thanks for any info

 

[nry]

In my opinion your lights are on for too long, 10-12 hours is more ideal though I think 10 is a better choice, and are you adding CO2?

 

[grass569]

In my opinion your lights are on for too long, 10-12 hours is more ideal though I think 10 is a better choice, and are you adding CO2?

I thought it may be lights i need to get a timer, as for the co2 no im not adding it yet its something ive been thinking about

 

[grass569]

In my opinion your lights are on for too long, 10-12 hours is more ideal though I think 10 is a better choice, and are you adding CO2?

I thought it may be lights i need to get a timer, as for the co2 no im not adding it yet its something ive been thinking about

Anybody else any ideas?

 

[Dave Spencer]

I would certainly cut down the photoperiod to around ten hours.

Have you done anything recently to cause an Ammonia spike such as disturbing the substrate?

Are you injecting CO2?

 

[-germ-]

Disclaimer; I know nothing about this.
I've recently read that in some instances cutting down the light period is not neccessarily beneficial as it hinders your plant growth, which competes with your algae for nutrients. I think it relates to your plant to tank size ratio. I dunno, just thought it was an interesting point.

 

[FcF]

Disclaimer; I know nothing about this.
I've recently read that in some instances cutting down the light period is not neccessarily beneficial as it hinders your plant growth, which competes with your algae for nutrients. I think it relates to your plant to tank size ratio. I dunno, just thought it was an interesting point.

does it mean more plants to reduce algae?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Disclaimer; I know nothing about this.
I've recently read that in some instances cutting down the light period is not neccessarily beneficial as it hinders your plant growth, which competes with your algae for nutrients. I think it relates to your plant to tank size ratio. I dunno, just thought it was an interesting point.

It depends on what you mean by cutting down the photoperiod. I find that after ten hours some of my stems are pulling in their leaves, suggesting they have had enough light for that day.

If I had major algae issues, light is the only parameter I would consider reducing to combat it. Not my ferts or CO2 in isolation. A thriving mass of plants is well documented as being the major weapon in a struggle against algae, so you always make sure that your plants requirements come first.

Dave.

 

[-germ-]

Ha am i gonna get put in my place for this one?
I think so, although if you already had alot of plants, or problems associated with your tank conditions etc. obviously not.
I've only kept fish for 6 weeks now, but if i encountered an excess of algae (i've got a bit but i think it looks natural and feeds my gourami and loaches) i'd try sticking in a few new plants without changing the tank conditions before i rushed into anything else, nothing to lose but the cost of a few plants.

 

[grass569]

I would certainly cut down the photoperiod to around ten hours.

Have you done anything recently to cause an Ammonia spike such as disturbing the substrate?

Are you injecting CO2?

The only thing i have done recently is hoover the gravel although the clown loaches sometimes dig through the gravel into the substrate underneath tank goes nice and cloudy for an hours or so

No im not using Co2

 

[grass569]

I would certainly cut down the photoperiod to around ten hours.

Have you done anything recently to cause an Ammonia spike such as disturbing the substrate?

Are you injecting CO2?

Borrowed the timer from the lights on my pond and put them so they are on for about 10 hrs last night will have to wait and see now i suppose

What fish would be best for helping remove/eat the algea

Would it be worth adding co2 at the low light level i have (around 1.5wpg) if so which kits would be best prefferably on the cheaper end of the market
Thanks again

 

[grass569]

Anyone??

 

[grass569]

Anyone??

Had the lights on the timer now for over a month on for 9 hrs but the algea is still growing anyone any more ideas

 

[nry]

Knock your lights down further. 6-7 hours per day should reduce the algae growth. At 1wpg but no CO2 I could not keep algae down unless I ran a 7-hour lighting period. At 1.5wpg I would guess this may be the same situation: the tank is getting a fair bit of light but with no CO2 and no major level of NPK fertilisation you will likely have algae issues because the plants cannot make the most of the light and algae gets the upper-hand.

Algae needs light and food. Reduce/remove one sufficiently and it will suffer.

Alternately give the plants more of what they need: CO2, decent fertiliser (maybe consider the EI method) and go from there.

 

[jspence1]

One suggestion I have been given for the same problem is to change your lighting period. I've been told to add a rest time in the lighting. I've seen some improvement but I've only been doing it for 3 days. I have changed my lighting from 12 hours on to 3 hours on, a 3 hour break and then 7 hours on.


The Redfield Ratio May help as well. I'm just reading up on this one my self and Haven't tried it yet but I have been told great things about it. This site has a good explanation of the concept

http/www.xs4all.nl/~buddendo/aquarium/redfield_eng.htm

Good luck
John