Green layer of algae covering plants

**genes** · 18th Dec 2005, 10:46

Hi all

I am experiencing this layer of green algae that seems to be more then capable of suffocating the plants and mosses at the rate they are expanding. First time in encountering this problem in almost a year of the hobby.

Is there any particular fert that i should dose more or less?

Am intending to do a 3day black out. In the midst of the blackout, am i suppose to continue my fert dosing regime? Using the ehiem auto doser and doses daily 3 times with my own mixture of KNO3, KH2PO4 and lushgro micros.

Thanks
Regards
Gene

**PeterGwee** · 18th Dec 2005, 18:05

Originally Posted by genes

Hi all

I am experiencing this layer of green algae that seems to be more then capable of suffocating the plants and mosses at the rate they are expanding. First time in encountering this problem in almost a year of the hobby.

Is there any particular fert that i should dose more or less?

Am intending to do a 3day black out. In the midst of the blackout, am i suppose to continue my fert dosing regime? Using the ehiem auto doser and doses daily 3 times with my own mixture of KNO3, KH2PO4 and lushgro micros.

Thanks
Regards
Gene

If your dosing of KNO3, KH2PO4 and micros are enough then its not the issue (too little is bad..a tad more is fine). Look more into the CO2.

Regards
Peter Gwee

**barmby** · 22nd Dec 2005, 12:53

This is taken from other postings by Plantbrain. This will definitely help.

Did you cover the tank so that no light at all gets in?
I doubt it.

I've done it many times, it always dies in less than 3 days if you cover the tank so that it's pitch black in the tank.

Clean up the BGa prior to the water change, then cover the tank, remove the CO2 and wait 3 days.

If you do not cover the tank, BGA will presist.........
Blackout means more than merely turning the light off.

Regards,
Tom Barr

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Spraybars are preferred.

Some surface movement(helps with exchange of gas to some degree-too little is bad, too much is bad, also allows better cooling=> more evaporation).

But beyond this, good current below the water's surface is good.

Things will pearl less with increased current, so you can strike a balance there.

Regards,
Tom Barr

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So did you folks do the 3 day blackout yet?
Fully cover the tank(trash bags, say 2-3 deep of the black tash bags work well)

Clean prior and after, 50% water change on pre and post blackout, clean filter, lightly vacuum the surface to remove any detritus on the surface of the gravel, scrape below the gravel line if any algae is along the glass=gravel
line.

Add KNO3, at 1/4 teaspoon per 20 gal of tank pre and post treatment and then at least 1-2x a week thereafter.

This should address the issue.

Follow up: Also, you only need to add:
1.5 teaspoons 2-3x a week of KNO3, and 1/3 of the KH2PO4 2-3x a week.
About 35mls of trace 2-3x a week.

CO2 at 30ppm.
weekly 50% plus water changes

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