Need help about Algae

[Et66]

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH, specify units):60x30x36cm

Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) :21.3(PRO LED Z 20)
Number and type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) :2 x LED
Age of light bulbs :1 month
No. of hours your lights are on :8 hours

CO2 Injection Rate (bps) :2
Type of CO2 (DIY/Cylinder) :cylinder
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor) :diffuser

Liquid fertilisers Used (Product name. E.g. Seachem Flourish) :Borneowild Essence K,Vivid and Ferrum
Fertilization regime (Frequency and amount per dose) :3ml for essence k and vivid. 1ml Ferrum. Twice a week.

Other fertilisers (Product name. E.g. Root Monster) :nil

Other additives (Product name. E.g. Seachem Prime) :nil

Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister, Product name/model if possible) : TOTTO HOF S model
When was the filter last washed :weekly
Filter media used :came with filter
When was the media last changed :no change


Age of setup (i.e. since initial setup or last major re-do ) : 1 month

Water change frequency nce a week
Amount changed :20%

Water surface movement (None/gentle/turbulent) : none
Circulation (None/gentle/turbulent) :gentle

Tank Temperature :28-29degrees

Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
-------------------------------------
pH : 5-6

Bioload (Number and type of fish and plants)
------------------------------------------
12 cardinal tetras,4 rummy nose ,3 ottos,3 Yamato shrimps,2 SAE,2 nerite snails.
Plants: E Tenellus ,Staurogyne repens,Rotalla macrandra

Describe your problem :
Can Seniors advice what can be done to reduce the algae built up?
Green spot algae is manageable by scrubbing glass.
Algae on rocks is quite difficult to remove. Any advice?
How to get rid and prevent Bluish green hairy algae growing on E Tenellus.
I would appreciate any advice, thanks.

Sorry about the photos, I can't rotate it upright.

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[David]

Hello, is that rock placed under the lights? Green spot algae loves high light and low CO2

They to shade it, and push up your CO2

As for the tennulus check water circulation. Again push up your CO2 and why do you put that rock chips, Tennelus will grow over it and this is going to give rise to muck accumulating under it. Poor water circulation, high Nitrate and high light is going to get you BGA.

When you siphon, pull out as much muck as you can.

[David]

Try not They...sorry

Ooh ...check your Posphate level.

[Et66]

Hi David,
Point taken. Will address these issues.
Thanks

Hello, is that rock placed under the lights? Green spot algae loves high light and low CO2

They to shade it, and push up your CO2

As for the tennulus check water circulation. Again push up your CO2 and why do you put that rock chips, Tennelus will grow over it and this is going to give rise to muck accumulating under it. Poor water circulation, high Nitrate and high light is going to get you BGA.

When you siphon, pull out as much muck as you can.

[David]

Lights on period a bit short? Try 9 to 10 hours.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Hi,

My advice.

0. do a water change, 30-50%
1. Don't wash your filter weekly, unless its very clogged and affecting water flow
2. Improve your circulation, add a small pump?
3. buy 1 nerite snail
4. wait... and see if it helps. probably 1 month will see a difference.


Normally i advice 1 week to see a difference, but because the filter was washed weekly, high chance that beneficial bacteria is gone... so need to wait a month to see any results.

[AQMS]

get a small pump to improve water circulation or if you want to invest
a little bit more in the hobby get a canister filter.
Canister filter can support a higher bioload and have more surface area on which bacteria can grow.

[Et66]

Hi, The HOF is rated 5.5 liters per minute. Is this ok?
What type of pump should i get? Is it a submersible pump you are suggesting?
I only wash the sponge part of the filter and not the 4 bio load compartment.
I have 2 snails already. Do I need more?
Thanks.

Hi,

My advice.

0. do a water change, 30-50%
1. Don't wash your filter weekly, unless its very clogged and affecting water flow
2. Improve your circulation, add a small pump?
3. buy 1 nerite snail
4. wait... and see if it helps. probably 1 month will see a difference.


Normally i advice 1 week to see a difference, but because the filter was washed weekly, high chance that beneficial bacteria is gone... so need to wait a month to see any results.

[Et66]

Hi,
Point noted, thanks.

get a small pump to improve water circulation or if you want to invest
a little bit more in the hobby get a canister filter.
Canister filter can support a higher bioload and have more surface area on which bacteria can grow.

[Et66]

Do you mean increase both lights and CO2 period or just lights? Sorry for newbie question.

Lights on period a bit short? Try 9 to 10 hours.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Hi, The HOF is rated 5.5 liters per minute. Is this ok?
What type of pump should i get? Is it a submersible pump you are suggesting?
I only wash the sponge part of the filter and not the 4 bio load compartment.
I have 2 snails already. Do I need more?
Thanks.

My take is don't wash the filter.. until it gets clogged and not moving water.
2 nerites? if so, don't need anymore snails.

I feel that for the BGA, its quite possible that the water flow is not going to the BGA side. in other words a dead spot.
can have a Full tank shot? show the position of the inlet and outlet of the filter?

Another way is to plant more. Exhaust the nitrates in the water column. I am not sure about your plant density so i cannot comment.

[Et66]

I only have 3 types of plants. Staurogyne repens, Rotalla and E Tenellus.
Inlet of filter is around rear center of tank and outlet is at rear right top area.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Thanks for the full tank shot.
your tank is nice!

I would like to offer you the following advice.

1. Plant more. maybe can choose from pearl weed, some more staurogyne. Fill up the stone edges. pearl weed for the back of the wood
2. don't wash the filter unless clogged (i sound like nagging auntie)
3. scrub the algae off the glass and put the nerites on the stone when you see them on the glass.
4. Dose some phosphates. I notice your fert regime consists of Fe and K. May want some Phosphates since you have a good flow of CO2 and light. Phosphates will spur plant growth (in my experience). If you stay Woodlands, i can spare you some Phosphates.

thats all i would do. Oh yes, one more thing. Wait. Seriously.. wait.. probably 3 weeks to a month.

Thats my 2 cents.

[Et66]

Thank you everyone for your advice.
I will be going to a LFS to get some stuff to combat the algae.
Hope to get it under control soon!

[David]

Your lights on period is rather short. Plants needs a certain duration of photo period before photosynthesis starts.

As for the CO2 is not about duration but the amount of dissolved CO2 in your water column is important. Alot of algae then to dislike high CO2 environment.

HOF = over head filter? If it is what I think it is, too much water agitation removes precious CO2 from your water column. Flow rate is not the same as water circulation.

[Et66]

I have increased light period to 9hours.
Increased CO2 to 2-3bps.
My filter does not have much surface agitation. The outflow is underwater.
I intend to buy Hydor circulation pump to promote better circulation.
I try to avoid lights directly over the stones but not 100% possible as I have quite a few big stones.
Thanks for your advice.

Your lights on period is rather short. Plants needs a certain duration of photo period before photosynthesis starts.

As for the CO2 is not about duration but the amount of dissolved CO2 in your water column is important. Alot of algae then to dislike high CO2 environment.

HOF = over head filter? If it is what I think it is, too much water agitation removes precious CO2 from your water column. Flow rate is not the same as water circulation.

[David]

Wow okay...perhaps get a CO2 test kit as well?

[Et66]

I seriously underestimated the complexity of this hobby. I am only 1 month into this hobby and the algae problem is really giving me a big headache.
I really hope I can manage the algae problem.
Appreciate the advice from all the Seniors here!

[David]

Don't be discouraged. To be frank you have a pretty nice tank and you should be proud of it.

Algae has been around for millions of years and beyond. They are a part of the Eco-system so it takes understanding and hands on experience to keep then at bay.

Push on...it's only a matter of time you get the hang of it....

[felix_fx2]

improving the flow should settle bga, most likey due to lack of circulation.
if you can, add a cheap powerhead/wave maker. does wonders for tanks lacking circulation

the alage on the rock, leave it your nerites will take care of it someday down. (i would rather them not to, sometimes having alage on rocks add to the looks of your scape)

p.s: well done for a 1st. godly filter