Green Spot Algae

[CKM]

Any ways of getting rid of Green Spot Algae? I heard that A-Zoo brush algae killer works...Any comments?

[chua]

Hi,

Maybe you would like to share with us your fertilization regime.

Normally. lack of PO4 is one of the main reasons for such algae.

Thanks.

[CKM]

Thanks alot... Being using Easy Life for a while and just realize that PO4 is not in that fertiliser. Being putting PO4 and algae has show signs of stop spreading...

[chua]

err.

Don't overdose your PO4 too, else other form of algae will appear.

Must get a balance.

[CKM]

Is it something brownish? Something like Brown Algae?

[chua]

You should work out your fertilization regime to get a balance.

For me, I feel that 5ppm of NO3 and 1ppm of PO4 work pretty well. Of course, you need other elements as well which i get from my TMG.

Maybe you want to try out and see which combo is best for yours.

[PeterGwee]

err.

Don't overdose your PO4 too, else other form of algae will appear.

Must get a balance.

Not sure what form of algae you will see (or should you see?) with high PO4 except that it might well start to influence your KH readings and hence the CO2 level. Excess nutrients is never an issue unless to go to the extremes (which will be a critter issue first). Dosing lean is an issue imo/ime.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[krabbie]

Hi, I have some newbie questions after reading this (and some other threads) that I hope experts here can help to answer.

1. what's it PO4? Is it a form of fertilizer?

2. Is it available in liquid form?

3. How do i know how much PO4 is right for my tank? Use test kits?

BTW, I am trying to solve the green spot algae problem in my tank. Thanks for your replies.

[PeterGwee]

Hi, I have some newbie questions after reading this (and some other threads) that I hope experts here can help to answer.

1. what's it PO4? Is it a form of fertilizer?

2. Is it available in liquid form?

3. How do i know how much PO4 is right for my tank? Use test kits?

BTW, I am trying to solve the green spot algae problem in my tank. Thanks for your replies.

1)PO4 is phosphate. Yes, in inorganic forms of KH2PO4, Seachem phosphorus or fleet enema.

2)Seachem Phosphorus. Fleet enema.....just be prepare for the weird stares if you decide to get this.

3)Depends on your tank size, amount of light, amount of plants, type and etc.

Just note that it takes more than just PO4 to stop algae. PO4 is not a wonder fertilizer for GS. It takes good CO2 and other nutrients along with it to stop that.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[|squee|]

1. PO4 is a name for phosphate ions. It's derived from KH2PO4, or potassium di hydrogen phosphate. It's a chemical used as a fertiliser.

2. I'm not sure, but I've always seen it in powder form. You can get some from Nature Aquarium over at Thomson Road, opposite Thomson Medical Centre. One container of it will probably last you a lifetime, since very minute amounts are added each time.

3. You're looking at around 3ppm or so. Use a aquarium fertiliser calculator like the one over at chuck gadd's aquarium pages (search for it) to calculate how much of the powder you need. Testing for this 3ppm is kinda wasteful of the test kit don't you think?

Hope you solve your problem. Green spot is easy compared to BBA

[krabbie]

1)PO4 is phosphate. Yes, in inorganic forms of KH2PO4, Seachem phosphorus or fleet enema.

2)Fleet enema.....just be prepare for the weird stares if you decide to get this.

Err ... can explain in simpler terms? How do I get PO4 then? Is it in powder or liquid form? Any recommendation on which "brand" that I shd get?

3)Depends on your tank size, amount of light, amount of plants, type and etc.

Regards
Peter Gwee

Mine is 3 ft, 2 x PL lamps ( 2 tubes in each lamp, so total 4 tubes) - I can't see any wattage rating. I have quite minimal plants at the moment .. glosso, riccia and another type which I don't know the name.

If there is an idiot-proof guide to remove/prevent green spot algae will be very much appreciated.

[PeterGwee]

Oh, those zoopores tend to swim around and re-attaches after a couple of hours so you would need to scrub them off fast and then hurry up with a large water change. Repeat the step a couple of hours later if necessary. Harass the algae and correct the conditions namely poor CO2/low PO4 and the algae shouldn't be much of a problem.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[krabbie]

Oh, those zoopores tend to swim around and re-attaches after a couple of hours so you would need to scrub them off fast and then hurry up with a large water change. Repeat the step a couple of hours later if necessary. Harass the algae and correct the conditions namely poor CO2/low PO4 and the algae shouldn't be much of a problem.

Regards
Peter Gwee

Oh S**t! i just cleaned them off .. but I did not change the water .. sigh .. will take note of this the next time.