algae on tank wall

[james_ong]

Hi,
My 2.5 ft planted tank wall is always covered with a kind of slimey powdery algae...not green spot algae. It can be easily removed but i'm curious what kind of algae is that and is there a way to stop it from coming back. My nitrate is quite high always measured at 20 mg/l not sure why....is this the cause of the algae problem???

Thanks.

James

[geoffrey]

James, try to tell us more about your lighting and fertilising regime. Some water parameters will help also. Otherwise it will mostly be guess work for us.

[juggler]

And your algae eaters like Otos don't help?

[FC]

I have the same problem for few years, very fustrating because it need to be cleaned twice a week. I later managed to reduce. However, before I share with you my encounter, please tell me:
1) what base fert you use?
2) lighting watt/litre or watt/gallon
3) light on period
4) water column fertilizer used
5) is your water milky/cloudy?

Regards,

Freddy Chng

[james_ong]

-I'm using JBL base fert (if i remember correctly)
-2.5 watts/gallon lighting and on for 12 hrs
-using Dr Mallic Micro - five drops per day, Aqua - 3 ml per day and Seachem Phosphorus 3ml per wk. 1-2 tablespoon Equilibrium after water change. Once a while I might add Potassium.

Tested PH at 6.5, KH 4 and nitrate 20mg/l

Otos seem to be working on it but don't seem to remove any..

Thanks.

Regards,
James

[PeterGwee]

Use this form to provide more detailed info for us...

Beginners Info Sheet
--------------------

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH):
Tank Volume (litres or gallons):
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 :
Other equipment :

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>

[geoffrey]

----------------
On 7/9/2003 10:33:24 PM

-I'm using JBL base fert (if i remember correctly)
-2.5 watts/gallon lighting and on for 12 hrs
-using Dr Mallic Micro - five drops per day, Aqua - 3 ml per day and Seachem Phosphorus 3ml per wk. 1-2 tablespoon Equilibrium after water change. Once a while I might add Potassium.

Tested PH at 6.5, KH 4 and nitrate 20mg/l

Otos seem to be working on it but don't seem to remove any..

Thanks.

Regards,
James
----------------

Assuming your 2.5ft is around 100L, 3ml of Seachem gives only 0.15ppm of PO4 per week. What's your measured PO4? Is it low?

Your K is also on the low side at about 10ppm/week, but I don't see that as an issue. Your regime gives about 6ppm/week of NO3 from Aqua too but your tank is still able to maintain 20ppm NO3; do you feed generously?

You may want to try increasing PO4 to 0.5~1.0ppm per week and monitor if NO3 falls after that.

[james_ong]

----------------
On 7/9/2003 11:37:53 PM

Assuming your 2.5ft is around 100L, 3ml of Seachem gives only 0.15ppm of PO4 per week. What's your measured PO4? Is it low?

Your K is also on the low side at about 10ppm/week, but I don't see that as an issue. Your regime gives about 6ppm/week of NO3 from Aqua too but your tank is still able to maintain 20ppm NO3; do you feed generously?

You may want to try increasing PO4 to 0.5~1.0ppm per week and monitor if NO3 falls after that.
----------------

I don't have any measuring kit for PO4....
I feed once or twice a day...not a lot I think.

I will try to increase PO4, see how it goes.

Thanks.

James

[FC]

James,

Is your water clear?

Tips: look into the water from front and side view, and compare.


Regards,

Freddy Chng

[stressed]

Hi FC,

May i know how does the clarity of water affect? Are you trying to ask about green water aka suspended algae or water which is cloudy...sorry newbie here trying to learn more.