Help - Algae Problem!

[Valjean]

Hi all,

I'm starting to notice algae-growth in my newly set-up 4' tank. Pls see tank specs here: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=18107

There are very fine green strands (which I assume to be hair algae) sprouting off the bare sections of driftwood up near the water surface, i.e. closest to the light.

What should I be doing now?

[grey_fox]

:P likewise with me when I encountered this, this is the list of items I can remeber off hand from the gurus who have helped me out.

1. What is your CO2 PPM?
2. At the moment, manually remove the algae
3. Get otos, yamatos, malayan prawns to assist. (faster if you manually remove it though, IMO)
4. Plant thickly
5. Start dosing ferts in adequate proportions.

Hope this helps.

[Valjean]

:P likewise with me when I encountered this, this is the list of items I can remeber off hand from the gurus who have helped me out.

1. What is your CO2 PPM?
2. At the moment, manually remove the algae
3. Get otos, yamatos, malayan prawns to assist. (faster if you manually remove it though, IMO)
4. Plant thickly
5. Start dosing ferts in adequate proportions.

Hope this helps.

(A1) Non-CO2 tank. But I dose 1 capful of Excel every other day.

(A2) Tried manual removal. Tedious and difficult. Heh.

(A3) Yup. Bought 3 more otos to add to the 2 already in the tank. Have 2 small cherries inside and may get more. Hope they help.

(A4) Ok am still looking for some more tall plants to stick into the background.

(A5) Besides the Excel, I only dose 1 capful of Florapride every week.

Thanks for advice!

[grey_fox]

Hey bro,

I can't comment much on the fert regime as I am a newcomer myself, however, I faced the algae issue and heh, yeah it is tedious and tiresome (took me a total of 5 hours and my back is still aching...) but trust me, it'll do your plants/tank good. 5 cherries is way too little. Would recommend you to get more cherries or yamato.

Think you better get the plants soon as its either the plants start growing or the algae.

[eddyq]

IMO,your T5 light is too strong and combined with liquid fert dosing in a non C02 tank promotes algae growth.

[Valjean]

Thks for your input, eddyq. Would stopping the liquid fert dosing stop the algae growth or are the lights the dominant cause? Although they are T5s, the wpg is only about 1.6.

If the lights are the dominant cause, are my options now (i) scale down the lights, or (ii) inject CO2 to promote faster plant growth over algae?

Advice appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. to Mods: I realised I posted in the wrong forum. Pls assist to move if necessary. Thks!

[eddyq]

If your intention is having a non CO2, low-tech tank then dont expect the plants to grow fast.It means low lights/very little dosing/little water change.

Also plant more,so algae cannot complete.

[Valjean]

Ok thanks. I guess for now I'll try heavy planting and see how it goes from here.