Well Then What To Do?

[jpedersen024]

Ok, I'm trying to find an 'easily' workable option here.... and I am of course, still learning...

SO.

What is the best/ easiest way to combat/ get rid of algae in a planted tank (no snails then ), without a pleco (grows way too huge ), and after rehoming my newly aggressive CAE (who really did a LOVELY job when I first aquired him!) ???

I do need more plants, I admit. They're on the way. And compounding matters, new high intensity lighting is also on the way. More light, coupled with fertilizing, is really going to give me a big spike in the nasty stuff. (already have green algae, and what appears to be black beard)

Any ideas, helpful suggestions, brainstorms??

Thanks!

 

[Torrean]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=95077

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101658

maybe these will help

 

[jpedersen024]

I had already checked out the algae types post.... and I have actually bleached my vals as it was coated in the darn stuff. But removing the entire plant and bleaching them is disruptive and not something I want to have to be doing on a regular basis like I seem to now.

I don't know how I missed that algae eater guideline though!!? That was a huge help - thanks!!

 

[barbiedoll]

it maybe one of those things that passes - my experences with algae - brown, then green then filaments and black brush were all in the settling in and maturing phases while the tank matured and I got up to full stocking levels.
so good water quality, plenty of live plants, the right amount of light and ferts and some small careful algae eaters - like otos. I love my 4 otos - delicately cleaning algae off each leaf, rock, glass, thermometer - everything. But buy chubby otos cos it shows they are feeding well and then you'll have no sickly ones.
oh, and not all plecos grow huge - but then, not all plecos eat algae!

 

[@ombomb]

What sort of algae are you getting?

The secret to keeping algae at bay is a balanced tank, which if you are using ferts and have a high WPG the tank needs to have CO².

 

[jpedersen024]

it maybe one of those things that passes - my experences with algae - brown, then green then filaments and black brush were all in the settling in and maturing phases while the tank matured and I got up to full stocking levels.
so good water quality, plenty of live plants, the right amount of light and ferts and some small careful algae eaters - like otos. I love my 4 otos - delicately cleaning algae off each leaf, rock, glass, thermometer - everything. But buy chubby otos cos it shows they are feeding well and then you'll have no sickly ones.
oh, and not all plecos grow huge - but then, not all plecos eat algae!

I plan to give otos another try... thanks for the chubby tip . I had a couple earlier on in this battle, but kept having them go belly up suddenly, and for no apparent reason. Got frustrating, so I gave up on them and took the CAE instead. Great option that was!!!

Live and learn.

I do hope that this too shall pass though!!

What sort of algae are you getting?

The secret to keeping algae at bay is a balanced tank, which if you are using ferts and have a high WPG the tank needs to have CO².

Black beard...brush... bush... whatever the true name is. I keep seeing it listed differently. It's short, hairy, and ugly. It doesn't start green. It's black from the get go, and it spreads rather quickly, making everything ugly. I do have the occasional green spotted algae pop up on the glass, but really not concerned about that.

I do need to look more into CO2. I've read into it, but really don't understand the mechanics of it... going to have to keep researching. Of course, maybe my brain is just too damn tired these days to wrap around anything.... that's more likely!!