What's This Algae?

[saugata]

Hi! All,

For the past month or so I having this problem of alage like stuffs getting stuck on the glass walls. These are very thin treads, light green in colour and can be easily removed by wiping them with a soft cloth. But the problem is it comes back in 3-4 days time. It will start growing from the base of the tank and then slowly move to the top of the tank. I hope I have been able to explain the problem clearly.

My Tank Dtls are as follows:-

Size : 4.5'x2'x20"
Lights - 36wattsx8 nos of Philips T8 (6500K) @ 12 hrs/day
Ferts: On the day of w/c - 15 mls of KNO3 (stock sol. of 8 tb spoons in 400 mls of Distileld water), 2.5 mls of KH2PO4 (stock sol. of 2 tb spoons in 400 mls of distilled water, 2.5 mls of Trace elements). on the 4th days 10 msl of KNO3, 2.5 mls of KH2PO4 & 2.5 mls of Traces
Substrate:2-3 mm of sterile calcium gravel with laterite spread under it
NH3:NIL
NO2:NIL
W/C: 50% - weekly
NO3: 20 PPM
PO4- 0.5 PPM
Fauna:Platys, N. Tetras, American Flag Fish, Albino Cories, P.Denisonii, Cherry Barbs, Mollys, Madagascar Rainbows, Clown Loaches, Angels, Sword Tails
Flora: Heavily Planted
CO2: Presurised CO2 injected 24x7
CO2 Reactor : Dymax operated by a powerhead
Temp: 28-30 degrees C
Age of Tank: 6 months
Filter : Eheim Prof 2224
KH:2
pH:6

Looking forward to help from the experts.

[Shadow]

hair algae?

[saugata]

No. I am sure that it's not hair algae.

[PeterGwee]

You seem lean on the dosing of macros and general trace mix. For the NO3 and PO4, target 10ppm and 2ppm per dose and dose 2x a week for your tank. As for the general trace mix, you can try 25-30ml 2x a week. Crank the CO2 well and use it only when the lights are on (you can add more when the plants actually need it without harming the critters than 24x7 method).

I'm not sure about the algae ID but if its green dust, you would need to let it complete its life cycle before actually scrubbing it off and doing a large water change quickly. If its those long threaded ones, it seems from a lack of dosing and probably poor CO2. From my experience, CO2 that is done with 24x7 tend to be on the low side half-way into the light cycle from plant uptake.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[StanChung]

Sounds like the slimy hairy algae-IMHO this algae love PO4 and NH3. PO4 may not cause algae but IMHO it certainly feeds it.
Try reducing your lighting photoperiod to 8 hours or less while you address your fertilizing and check if your filter is not clogged.