Need help on algae problem

[Magnum-]

I've planted 1ft cube tank with c02.
the plants are mostly slow-growers,eg. nana,crypts,lots of mosses and recently planted e.tenellus.

The algae i have been fighting with for almost 8 months now is starting to upset the entire tank as its multiplying fast... i'm not so sure what kind of algae it is...it looks like a small furry brown algae ball,the hairs are fine and soft...bout 3mm long only...its taking over my entire moss wall and keeps on growing...could anyone tell me what kind of moss is it?

What algae eating critter could help with the problem? snails shrimps? what other manual work or chemicals i could use to control the problem?

Any advise given will be greatly appreciated!!

[PeterGwee]

Without much important info from you such as fertilization routine, frequency of water change, how much you change, amount of light and etc...I cannot help you much. Please fill up the form with as much info as you can before folks can be of much help to you.

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH):
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 :


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 :

[Magnum-]

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH): 30cmX30cmX30cm
Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 11W
Type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : PL
No. of Hours your light is on: 8-10hours
CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : varies
Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) : DIY
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor): diffusor
Substrate Used : ADA aqua soil
How Thick is your base fert : 3cm+
How thick is your gravel : 3cm+
Liquid Fertilizers Used : LUSHGro-AQUA
Frequency of fertilization : varies... dont know the frequency
Tank Temperature : 27 Celcius
Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) : internal
Filter media used : fine sponge
How long has your tank been set up : 6 to 7 months


Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
---------------------------------------

Carbonate Hardness (kh): ---
Total Hardness (gH): ---
PH : 5~6
NH4 (ppm): ---
NO2 (ppm): ---
NO3 (ppm): ---
PO4 (ppm): ---
Fe (ppm): ---

Bioload (Your Fish and Plants)
------------------------------

couple of malayan and wood shrimps... 6 juv. apistos,2 cherry barbs,2 phantom tetras,2 sparkling gouramis,2 otos



Describe your problem : 2 types of algae... spot algae which isnt much of a problem.. the bigger problem is the brown furry algae which is unknown to me.

Brief description:Brown furry ball of fine hairs about 3mm long

Any advise and help given will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[fleekk]

Hi Bro,

My take is that you are not having enough co2 or to long hour of photoperiod, vice-versa. Currently, you are having only 1.5w/gal and unless you are hitting 20-30ppm of co2, if not, inbalances will happen resulting in algae booming. Probably inconsistence of co2 injection.

How much and regime of LGA you are dosing? It might be OD that causes algae booming as your plants are not intaking it fast enough.

I think work on your ph/kh to find out whether you have a balance of both before anything.

[Magnum-]

thanks for the advise... meanwhile, can i introduce any algae eating critters to help curb the algae? or any manual work i could do to help..

[PeterGwee]

Basic issue...CO2. Not enough. You have no idea of your KH and GH? I believe it is below 1 for both KH and GH from my previous experience of aquasoil. You need to bring both the KH and GH up to at least 3 using baking soda for KH, Seachem Equilibrium or mixture of CaSO4 and MgSO4 for the GH. Work on the CO2 and make sure it stays within the 20-30ppm range throughout the week. Keep changing the brew if CO2 level drops. At lower light range, your CO2 level might not be so critical but keep try to keep it high in the 20s range. 15ppm is fine but not lower than that. I am not into Lushgro Aqua so I would not comment on the fertilization part of things.

On the algae part, you need to go in and pick on it coupled with large water changes after that. Grow the plants well by providing good amount of fert, CO2 and light and you will have a superior competitor for the algae once the plants bounce back to good health.

Regards
Peter Gwee