Algae Again

[limsteel]

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH): 51cm x 33.3cm x 37.8cm
Tank Volume (litres or gallons): Approx 64litre
Lighting detials: 11hrs daily, 24W PL Daylight (planning another PL 36W)
CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : unknown
Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) : DIY
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor): Sander Wood
Substrate Used : Black gravel 2mm - 3mm grain size
How Thick is your base fert : almost nil, scatter some crush fert balls
How thick is your gravel : 1 - 2cm
Liquid Fertilizers Used : Dr Mallick's Lush Gro Aqua, KSO4, MgS04, KH2PO4
Frequency of fertilization : Weekly, 5 drop LGAqua, traces of the rest
Tank Temperature : 26 to 28degreeC
Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) : DIY External Cannister Filter
Filter media used : few piece Coral Chip, Bio Ball, Bio Sponge, Fine filter sponge.
How long has your tank been set up : coming 1 month, but Aquarium water used is from main 3ft tank (coming 1yrs old)
Other equipment : Driftwood, Black Stone , Some brown slab stone... Added Azoo BlackWater & Vitamin liquid.

Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
---------------------------------------
Carbonate Hardness (KH): 4 Degree
Total Hardness (gH): 8 Degree
pH : 7.5
NH4 (ppm): ?
NO2 (ppm): ?
NO3 (ppm): ?
PO4 (ppm): ?
Fe (ppm): ?

Bioload (Your Fish and Plants)
------------------------------
2 Apisto (5cm & 3cm), 4 Otocinclus, 1 Long Fin Serpae, 3 Yamato (rarely see), 1 Black platies, 6 pencil, 1 pleco (4cm)

Left: Hair Grass, Red Lotus, 4 Colour Lotus, Cockscrew Val, Java & Xmas Moss
Centre: APP & DD

Describe your problem : Hair Algae seems to be thriving... a Thin layer of Algae (not BGA, SURE!) covering my Driftwood. APP kept growing tall even with 24W shining down on them.
Bigger pic of Apisto Tank

[NinjaFly]

Hi Lim,

Try lowering your dose of liquid fert and reduce the lighting hours and observe.

I had incidents of hair algae too and after reducing my lighting hours, they are gone.

[Sleepy_lancs]

Might I suggest you get some more fast growing plants. Looks like your tank is rather sparsely populated.

[Simon]

yup, i agree with sleepy lancs, stock up with more fast growers to absorb the nutrients.. reducing fertilization and lighting wouldn't help much

[geoffrey]

I suggest looking at your CO2 again. DIY with sander diffusor is not very effective.

[limsteel]

BBA started to get a foot hold! driftwood and stone growing beard!

Increase CO2 content, intro some fast growing MM... water change twice weekly 20%... any other thing I should look at?

Small tank harder to keep, then I expected! my other mini tank plague with thread algae...

[Sleepy_lancs]

What is your current water parameters. Is it the same as the top? If so, increase your injection of your co2 until PH reaches 6.8. Make sure you have KH at least at 4. Fast growing plants such as Hydrophila difformis, Hydrocotyle leucocephala or hornworts. You do not have to plant them, just float them somewhere within the tank. They are great. Remove them when your tank is getting better and you are increasing your plants in your tank. Hope this helps.