Fuzz algae

[V31]

Hi,
i own small cube tank (0.8ft) and have small problem with (probably) fuzz algae on my hairgrass (e. accicularis) and micranthemum micranthemoides. Can you advise me some solution how to get rid of this algae. I can tell you a few things about water chemistry, filtration etc.:
Fe: 0.5mg/L
P: 0-0.2mg/L
pH: 6.5
DIY CO2: 3-4bps (in bubble counter)
filtration: Eheim Liberty 100 / water flow slowed-down by filtre media with high density-> unmeasureable
lighting: 11W compact tube (7.50am - 7.50pm)
fertilization: PMDD 0.4ml per day
temperature: 25°C
substrate: ordinary 1-2mm silicious gravel (ADA products are not available in our country )
tank is 1 and half of month old

bioload:
2x Cherry shrimp, 1x Amano shrimp, 1x Black molly, 1x Otocinclus affinis

The algae looks like this - http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae/fuzz_tb.jpg (it's not my tank).
And this is my tank (photos taken very quickly):
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/2616/aquabox35vm.jpg (front)
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/2...ox3left0tq.jpg (left)

I'd by happy if someone helps.

[ranmasatome]

Hi,
the problem with such tanks is because the water volume is so small you must be on top of your fertilization regime.

Try to keep your iron a little higher..is okay.. try for 1mg/l.

Also your Po4 is WAY too low... instead of 0.2 aim for 1 or 1.5ppm.

Redose this every 2-3 days and you should be good.

i dont really know what 0.4ml of PMDD per day equates to in relation to how much NPK your plants are getting... in general.. aim for
N = 10mg/l
P (IN TOTAL) = 1-1.5mg/l
K = 15-20mg/l

You can use Chucks calculator to find out what your 0.4ml of PMDD equates to in terms of each chemical you are dosing.. it can be found here
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_p...osage_calc.htm

[V31]

...
i dont really know what 0.4ml of PMDD per day equates to in relation to how much NPK your plants are getting... in general.. aim for
N = 10mg/l
P (IN TOTAL) = 1-1.5mg/l
K = 15-20mg/l

You can use Chucks calculator to find out what your 0.4ml of PMDD equates to in terms of each chemical you are dosing.. it can be found here
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_p...osage_calc.htm

Ou, I've mixed:
33grams of Magnesium sulfate 7-hydrate
14grams of pure Potassium sulfate
6grams of Potassium nitrate
15grams of Tenso Coctail
in 400ml of distilled water.

Here is the photo of unmixed parts:



I'll try to make it according to your advice. Btw, does it help if I buy more shrimps?

[benny]

Shrimps will definitely help, especially if you can get amano or yamato shrimps.

Cheers,

[PeterGwee]

CO2...its your biggest problem. DIY needs work to keep up on things (Consistency is the real issue with this...). Target 30ppm at all times the lights are on and shut it off at night. None of your nutrients are going to work if the CO2 is not in good shape.

For the nutrients side, use the KNO3 and get some source of PO4 (eg. KH2PO4 and etc) and a general trace mix like Tropica MasterGrow and etc.

For the algae (higher form), which thrives in good tank conditions (high CO2 and good nutrients), constant attacking and removing of it will hurt it most as will adding of yamatoes. Just keep up the removal of the algae by trimming the affected plants (do not wait!) and do a large water change after that and redose nutrients. Check the CO2 as always.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[V31]

...

great. Thank you very much.
In our country there are not many experts in keeping small (high maintenance) tanks. The most aquarists have planted tanks with volume above 100 litres because it's more easy. And almost everone uses commercial longterm fertilizers from Tetra etc. So if you ask in some discussion forum, they reply like 'put plants with algae away', 'change water' etc. And almost noone speaks about chemistry and its parts., and it's not a good way to improve your skills.

So once again, thanks for advanced reply.

[V31]

Well today I added 5 hungry Yamato shrimps ..and now the water change.
I'll let you know how is it going.