What Algae is this ?

[Bloo]

mmm not what I would call black - more like a dark green or brown

 

[houndour]

so maybe it is just classic hair algae then? I've been googling, but I can only seem to come up with cyano/blue/green algae, black brush or black beard algae, theres a green brush algae, brown algae, and then green hair algae.

 

[jimbooo]

Thanks - when this mixture runs out, I will try making my own.

In the mean time, Jimboo or gf225, any idea on the type of algae it is ? 

you rang my dear!!

i'm no expert but that stuff comes under "hair algae" in my opinion. whatever it is the cause is normally the same.
i seem to be saying the same thing to everyone at the moment.

Arcadia Original Tropical is an old tube, old technology. it's about 8500K and pretty useless for plants (yes i know the packaging says optimum for photosynthesis - like hell it is)

i'd replace it with a dennerle special plant (3000K) of the same wattage. you'll get much less algae growth with it (seeing as your hair algae is on the top part of the vallis, ie near the light.)

you probably have a bit of phosphate in there as well. i'd buy a test kit and with the 2 things sorted your algae should be significantly reduced.

edit: and yes you need more co2 but as you say it will lower your ph.

mine is 6.8, KH 4/5 so no good for l-number plecs. (as seen by my gold nugget, rip spotty)

 

[Bloo]

Thanks Jimoo and of course Sime and Houndour, superjalami30 and zig !

Now to hunt for a Dennerle Special Plant in London - though with a bit of looking around, I'm sure it will be here (of all places!) somewhere.

Need to go and do some trimming of that Vallis now

 

[Sime]

ive had a terrible time finding any around here!

jimbooo found me this link: http/www.newleafaquarium.com/dennerle.html but the special plant bulb seems to be discontinued. the one in it's place is a TROCAL PLANT TUBE - and it's £12.95 - plus £7.50 postage!! apparently the K rating is 2700k on it.

i'm looking at a hagen instead (floraglow) which is I think 3000k but i'm just checking that out.

edit: you could ask a lfs to order you one.... mine around here said it wasn;t feasable as they would have to order so much from dennerle it wasn't worth it - but maybe down there they would - money always handy in london

 

[jimbooo]

up to you but i'd still get the dennerle. just my opinion

 

[Jen]

Sime... silly question... what is bi-carb? (in relation to the CO2 recipe)

 

[George Farmer]

silly question... what is bi-carb?

I'll butt in here - Sorry Sime! Bicarbonate of soda. Used to stabilize the yeast reaction in DIY CO2. I use 1/2 teaspoon of yeast to every 1 level teaspoon of bi-carb.

 

[Jen]

Ok. So that will be like Baking Soda over here. That makes sence.

 

[jimbooo]

I'll butt in here - Sorry Sime! Bicarbonate of soda. Used to stabilize the yeast reaction in DIY CO2. I use 1/2 teaspoon of yeast to every 1 level teaspoon of bi-carb.

also sorry to butt in. that could explain my problems keeping the yeast in the bottle, mine shoots up the tube if i'm not carefull.

thats with a heaped tsp yeast, 1/2 tsb bicarb. have i got it the wrong way around??

makes a lot of co2 that way though, you've thrown me now george (need to refil tonight so good timing)

canoechiq: yes baking soda is the same thing, sorry for the hijack.

 

[houndour]

yep I'm using a level teaspoon of bicarb and just over 1/2 teaspoon of yeast. gives me 25 ppm to start going down to 15/18 by end of week. And just realised that this topic isnt to do with yeast it's lights. sorry. )

 

[Jen]

I use 1/2 teaspoon of yeast to every 1 level teaspoon of bi-carb.

Can you use more than that.... Can I put in more of both with the same amount of sugar that the nurtafin unit is supposed to hold?

 

[Bloo]

yep I'm using a level teaspoon of bicarb and just over 1/2 teaspoon of yeast. gives me 25 ppm to start going down to 15/18 by end of week. And just realised that this topic isnt to do with yeast it's lights. sorry. )

hey fine by me - it's informative and helps my own situation too.

 

[jimbooo]

Can you use more than that.... Can I put in more of both with the same amount of sugar that the nurtafin unit is supposed to hold?

you can put in as much as you like at some point though the bubbles will be too intense and shoot up the tube and into your tank..... hence my current problem, too greedy for co2.

just make sure you dont try out a new mix then leave the house for the day. you may come home to a coffin!!