What algae is this ?

**tco** · 7th Dec 2009, 20:44

Please help to identify what algae is this ? possible cause and how to get rid of it? Thanks!

**Shadow** · 7th Dec 2009, 20:55

either BBA or staghorn, but look more like staghorn.

To get rid it cut the infected area. other than that we need more info about your tank spec

**tco** · 7th Dec 2009, 21:00

some info of my setup

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH, specify units): 5x2x2 ft

Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 4x80 watts
Number and type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : T5HO with individual reflector
Age of light bulbs : 1 months
No. of hours your lights are on : 8 hours daily

CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : more then 7, too fast unable to count.
Type of CO2 (DIY/Cylinder) :Cylinder
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor) : NA external reactor

Liquid fertilisers Used (Product name. E.g. Seachem Flourish) : Wondergro Macro and Micro
Fertilization regime (Frequency and amount per dose) : alternate day, 10 pumps

Other fertilisers (Product name. E.g. Root Monster) : Root monster, Seachem Iron (2 caps weekly)

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

Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister, Product name/model if possible) : Eheim 2260
When was the filter last washed : New setup about a month
Filter media used : Eheim substrat pro, CR, Biohome+
When was the media last changed :N.A
What was changed : N.A

Age of setup (i.e. since initial setup or last major re-do ) : 3 to 4 weeks

Water change frequency : weekly
Amount changed : 50%

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

Tank Temperature : 26 to 28

Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
-------------------------------------
KH (dKH):
GH (dGH):
pH : 6.3
NH4 (ppm):
NO2 (ppm):
NO3 (ppm):
PO4 (ppm):
Fe (ppm):

Bioload (Number and type of fish and plants)
------------------------------------------
80% planted, about 180 rummy and neon tetra

Thanks!

**stormhawk** · 8th Dec 2009, 01:25

You might want to read this blog by Dusko Bojic:

http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/

I used to have this on a particular Java Fern leaf, which I cut off and discarded. Never had it afterwards.

**tco** · 9th Dec 2009, 03:16

Originally Posted by Shadow

either BBA or staghorn, but look more like staghorn.

To get rid it cut the infected area. other than that we need more info about your tank spec

Thanks bro. I checked from the web, it should be staghorn.

Originally Posted by stormhawk

You might want to read this blog by Dusko Bojic:

http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/

I used to have this on a particular Java Fern leaf, which I cut off and discarded. Never had it afterwards.

Thanks bro, just did a good trim on most plants. will cut down fish feeding and do more water change and monitor the status.

**barmby** · 10th Dec 2009, 14:07

No. of hours your lights are on : 8 hours daily
Age of setup (i.e. since initial setup or last major re-do ) : 3 to 4 weeks

Cut the lights on period because 3-4 weeks old tank is new and pretty new. Btw, may i see the overview of your 5 feet.

Plants are not making food. Fertilization looks fine to me.

CO2 in PPM at 1 hr after lights on and 1 hr before lights off - ? Please confirm.

**tco** · 10th Dec 2009, 14:36

Hi bro, please see my reply as follow:-

Originally Posted by barmby

No. of hours your lights are on : 8 hours daily
Lights on 6am to 8am, 6pm to 12am.

Age of setup (i.e. since initial setup or last major re-do ) : 3 to 4 weeks
Initial setup coming to 5 weeks.

Cut the lights on period because 3-4 weeks old tank is new and pretty new. Btw, may i see the overview of your 5 feet.
Should i on the lights only from 6pm to 12am? I'll upload the pic soon

Plants are not making food. Fertilization looks fine to me.
I thinking to change to Lushgro-aqua and Lushgro-micro, can recommend dose amount?

CO2 in PPM at 1 hr after lights on and 1 hr before lights off - ? Please confirm.
Using timer so CO2 turn on together with lights. Do i need to turn on CO2 1 hour before lights on, and off CO2 1 hour before lights off?

Thanks bro.

**tco** · 10th Dec 2009, 14:43

Bro, here the picture.

**Navanod** · 10th Dec 2009, 15:52

Nerite snails helped with my staghorn problem. Shrimps are useless since the staghorns are somehow able to stick very tightly to a surface. The shrimps cannot remove it from the root whereas the nerites scrapped it off completely

**barmby** · 11th Dec 2009, 10:00

It looks like even blyxa caught that algae. Quite bad to me.

U need to confirm your CO2. During light period need to have 20-30ppm. Therefore, it is advisable to turn on the CO2 before the lights come on. And the plant can be ready to make food. However, if your CO2 distribution is good, you are good even if your light and CO2 turn on together.

Lastly, your light is JUST RIGHT. 320W over 120 gal of water (I assume)

Therefore, don't fuss over the fertilizer. To me, it is about how we dose them than the product itself.

Try to reduce lighting period. Remove the algae manually. Do water changes twice a week. Monitor if the plant is growing? If plant is making food and growing , it means the reduced light period is good. Why would I want to leave the light on for long and let the algae to capitalize ?? Remember, intensity is more important than duration. Then.. slowly get back to once a week water change when things become normal.