Stubborn Green Spot Algage

[5stars]

Hi, my aquarium grows green spot algae very quickly all over the glass and even on to fast growing plants such as water sprite. My aquarium is a 2 ft, ~40cm deep tank lighted with 2 x T5 super sun lights. I do CO2 fertilization, 1 bubble in 2 seconds. I've tried adding Seachem Flourish Phosphates, and nerite snails, but the GSA keep on growing extremely quickly. What should I do?

[wongce]

photoperiod?
Tank location near direct light? e.g near window?

[Shadow]

increase CO2, 1 bubble in 2 seconds is too low

[chlorophyll]

Whats your phosphates level? i keep phosphates at 1ppm 8 hr photoperiod and I dont have GSA on my glass or plants, only a bit on driftwood. I do 50% water change every week too. But like what Shadow said, check your CO2 and water circulation first. Hope this helps.

[5stars]

My aquarium is kept near a window, but it's shielded by a piece of foam. I don't have a phosphate test kit, so I don't know what my phosphate level is, but I dosed the recommended dosage given by Seachem. I change around 30% of my tank water and scrape of the GSA, but they start to reappear within like 2 days. How many bps would you recommend? I'm waiting for my drop checker which I bought from eBay, so I don't know how many bps to use now, and I don't want to waste too much CO2.

[chlorophyll]

Hi Bro, the recommended dosage does not take into account your plants consumption rate. It good to know what is consumption rate for your plants for the given photoperiod and CO2. At the moment, your CO2 is still unknown. Id try remove that doubt first. Update us ok.

[5stars]

Hi, I've used a drop checker to measure the amount of CO2 in my tank, and the indicator is green, which means that the CO2 level is ok. I'm now trying to overdose phosphates. Any chance that might help? The green spot algae is starting to grow on more plants, after I removed those already infected.

[Shadow]

how many bps now?

[5stars]

Now my bps is slightly less than 1 bps.

[Shadow]

Then I'm questioning the drop checker accuracy. Either that or you have extremely efficient reactor

Did you dilute the solution with your tank water? by right you suppose to dilute it with kH=4 solution

[felix_fx2]

How long photo period?
If drop checker not using kh=4 the reading is wrong and misleading.

[5stars]

My photoperiod is 8 hours. For my drop checker, I filled it with tap water, as the instructions just said fill with water. I have driftwood and soil in my tank. Could it be that those would affect the accuracy of the drop checker? I cleaned off the spot algae from the glass 2 days ago, and yesterday, they started growing again!!!

[Shadow]

Yes that will effect accuracy. Drop checker is basically ph tester, it measure the ph inside the small chamber and ph is effected by kh. For example when you use kh = 0 solution, you will get yellow color even if you did not inject CO2. Green = good CO2 only if you are using kh = 4

[5stars]

The drop checker solution claimed that it was a mixture of KH and PH tester. How am I supposed to get KH = 4?

[felix_fx2]

The drop checker solution claimed that it was a mixture of KH and PH tester. How am I supposed to get KH = 4?

Buy from lfs.

1: seaview, Ask the uncle for d4kh. They sell in small bottle.

2: GC, buy the cal-labs drop checker that is already premixed in d4kh. This is the most popular way. Not expensive as 1 small bottle last you ages.

3: official method. I am too lazy to mix then dilute.

4: similar as official method. But never dilute. Just use Distiled water add baking soda until kh4.

P.s, I actually over shot until kh6, used another bottle and diluted until I got kh4 lol.

Hope this helps.

[5stars]

So if my drop checker solution is already premixed, must I use it undiluted, or mix with aquarium water? By the way, is Green Spot Algae caused by insufficient CO2?

[Shadow]

if already premixed, no need to add anything.

Green spot can be cause by low P, low CO2, poor water flow, too long lighting our, light too intense.

[5stars]

I just realized that my photo period was actually 10 hours instead of 8 hours, I forgot that I increased the photo period because I want to enjoy my tank, but reach home from work quite late. Will a 2 hour siesta in the afternoon help to combat the algae? Is it good for the plants and fishes?