My nano setup

[torque6]

think its new tank syndrome, introduce ottos? they LOVE it

First presumption, new tank syndrome doesnt cause algae. Second presumption, by advising comet on getting ottos, you are making his algae condition worse by introducing more NH4 to his system.

comet,
i need your fert regimes, water change frequency. Dont worry about lights, its at 11w; safe range for a 30L tank. I am using 18w.

[Verminator]

Even so, Otto's are voracious when it comes to eating algae. They should be entwinned with their own shrine because of it.

But i do see your point.

Comet, and chance of an image update. Would like to see how your crypts are doing

[comet]

erm I am currently toping up water every 2 days. Each time approximate 1-2 litres. I switch off my fan recently, to reduce the evaporation rate.

The tank got 8 guppies, and I just brought 2 hillstream loach to help me keep the algae control.

No fert added, just use fish food and fish waste as fert. I fed them twice daily. somehow my plants are not growing really well.

Will took a pic once I get home tonight.

[AquaObsession]

Lights should be okay. Growth will be low.

Brown algae can be caused by low lights right, or excess of phosphate.

But I disagree that otto will make it worst. Yes they will shit in the tank, but they will clean the leaves of the plants very well, helping them to photosynthesize better.

Post a picture if you can of the algae, and your fert regime as well. Your lighting period. etc.

Cheers, Christophe

[torque6]

True chris, however, how often have we suggested managing algae issues at its root? Honestly i dont think so, the first cry of algae and loads of people suggest getting otto, shrimps, chemicals, etc. How many of us actually look at water parameters, lights, co2 circulation, density of plants, bioload and assist in the aquarist in correcting his imbalance? And again not many.

The objective in all planted tanks is to ensure your plants grow well, thus eliminating algae and the focus should be this. No amount of otto/shrimps will help you if your basic underlying principles of keeping a balanced, robust, growing aquarium is out of whack.

I personally dont believe you spend a large portion of your time killing algaes as I have seen your 2FT tanks, and they look really well grown.

Once comet post a detailed regime, we would have more variables to work with.

[comet]

Just took the picture. The 2nd pic have a close up of my cyrpto with some brown algae.

I suspect is because of the food I fed. Twice a day. Temperature is ard 29. No fert added. The guppies seems to have alot of waste.

I just notice there is also some green hair algae on my glass tank. well.... I notice that one side of the tank wall does not have any algae on it, is because the filter outlet is towards it. so I added a rainbar, hoping to improve the tank circulation.

wonder if by adding excel, can the plants grow better? thus lower algae attack.

[torque6]

I would try to isolate NH4 first. Have to agree, guppies bioload quite high. I had alot of hair algae on glass when i overfed them in my tank. They eat alot as well.

Probably in your setup with just a few fast growing plants at the corner, the plants uptake of ammonia is lower than bioload, thus the bloom.

Try limiting the feeds to 1 feed per day and feed them sparingly. I feed my boraras B 1 micro pellet ->size = "0" per day, shared by 3, so dont worry. Clear/siphon the brown algae and perform water changes. Monitor for a week.

[comet]

ok! I will do a minor water change tmr. will update and see how it goes.
thanks.