How we can control algae?

[Cacatuoides]

Hi

Would like to ask, how we can prevent the growth of algae....

as my 3ft tank has 6 36W PL tubes, I am warned of possible algae bloom...any methods or supplements that can prevent an algae bloom? dosing Dennerle Gold 7?

thanks in advance

[lorba]

what plants are you having?

The best way is probably reducing the amount of light.

[Cacatuoides]

i have mostly stem plants....tonina fl, DD, rotala, lugwiga, etc...

maybe i'll decrease the time my lights is on, will help?

thanks lorba

[Encriptic]

try not to dose chemicals and such, i personally would feel that the best way around algae would be to beat it without the usage of any chemicals. Try reducing the amount of light that you have. How long are your lights on for? if too long also will cause algae bloom. Try to have something like 10-12 hrs. That is what i have. And another thing, make sure that your co2 is sufficient and nutrients are not running low as that causes your plants to grow slowly and algae will soon strike. Weak plants also cause algae to take over. Another thing would be try cutting down the amount of fishes you have if they are alot. Please fill in the following, it would help us MUCH more then what you have said.

Beginners Info Sheet
++++++++++++++++++

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH):
Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) :
Type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) :
No. of Hours your light is on:
CO2 Injection Rate (bps) :
Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) :
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor):
Substrate Used :
How Thick is your base fert :
How thick is your gravel :
Liquid Fertilizers Used :
Frequency of fertilization :
Tank Temperature :
Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) :
Filter media used :
How long has your tank been set up :


Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
---------------------------------------

Carbonate Hardness (kh):
Total Hardness (gH):
PH :
NH4 (ppm):
NO2 (ppm):
NO3 (ppm):
PO4 (ppm):
Fe (ppm):

Bioload (Your Fish and Plants)
------------------------------
State what fishes and plants you have to the best of your ability
Describe your problem :

problem description. If you have picture which could help then please post them

[Cacatuoides]

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH): 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft

Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 204

Type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : PL

No. of Hours your light is on: 10hrs

CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : 2bps

Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) : Tank

Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor): Dennerle Cyclo 5000

Substrate Used : ADA AquaSoil Africana

How Thick is your base fert : 3"

How thick is your gravel : 2"

Liquid Fertilizers Used : Easylife, Dennerle V30

Frequency of fertilization : Once a week

Tank Temperature : 28 (Using fans)

Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) : Canister (Jebo + Eheim)

Filter media used : Sponge, ceramic rings, Efie

How long has your tank been set up : 3 wks


Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
---------------------------------------

Carbonate Hardness (kh): 3
Total Hardness (gH):
PH : 6.6
NH4 (ppm):
NO2 (ppm):
NO3 (ppm): very high
PO4 (ppm): very low
Fe (ppm):

[Plantbrain]

Set your pH average at 6.5-6.6 when the lights are on.

I'd get some fertilizer's from Dr Mallick's.
TMG or Flourish are good for traces.

KNO3- 1/2 teaspoon 3x a week
KH2PO4- 1/16th teaspoon 3x a week
Traces- 10mls 3x a week
Maybe a 1/4-to 1/2 teaspoon of SeaChem Equilibrium or something to increase GH.

That's only 3-4 things to add 3x a week.

You can dose the Traces and the macros on different alternate days.

Plants as heavy as you can from the start and consider buying some cheap fast growing plants till the other plants fill in.

50% weekly water change will prevent anything from building up and the 3x a week dosing will keep any nutrient from running out.

I think you will do pretty well if you can keep up on this routine.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Cacatuoides]

thanks for the great advice plantbrain..!

[charleslyk]

It may seem obvious but this is what i do to further ease the workload.


Further to what plantbrain has said,
...
>>> KNO3- 1/2 teaspoon 3x a week
>>> KH2PO4- 1/16th teaspoon 3x a week

Take these and dissolve in a large enough quantity of water. Then pour 1/3 on alternate days.

Do not add in the traces as they will get oxidized or something to that extent ?? Correct me if i am wrong here.

[barmby]

OFFTOPIC - You may want to check out who is plantbrain. A "big big" guy who research and study algae.

[Cacatuoides]

ya hoh....from algae, jump to fertilisers???