damn algae.

[qwe123r]

Hey guys!
a layer of green, sometimes brownish stuff has been constantly forming on the leaves of my plants and as well as on the walls of my tank, look a little like algae except it is thicker and darker in colour. How do i get rid of it and prevent it from coming back? and what is the most effective way to get rid and prevent algae from growing. Need imformation quite urgently, anyone care to help me out? thanks!

[limsteel]

BGA!? AAARGGGHHH! Does it look like that?


Mods, maybe can come up with a sticky thread to deal with these Algae. If not have to write so many time over and over...

ref to Mr Simon reply to previous BGA thread...
my solution to BGA:

1) add 3/4 teaspoon of KNO3
2) re-adjust filter, so as to create surface movement (supply of O2)
3) take a blanket or tape papers and totally cover yr tank, make sure no light can penetrate thru for 3 days
4) after 3 days, remove everything, adjust the filter back, do major water change, add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of KNO3, 20ppm of K2SO4 and a few grains of KH2PO4

maintain dosing of KNO3 at twice weekly basis, K2SO4 after weekly water change and KH2PO4 weekly

BGA is cause of misbalance of nutrients, usually NO3 and PO4, which causes limiting factor which will stunted the growth of the plants

[PeterGwee]

Ermmm..we need more info from you to know where to start from in order to help you.

Fill in this

Beginners Info Sheet
--------------------

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH):
Tank Volume (litres or gallons):
Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) :
Type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) :
No. of Hours your light is on :
CO2 Injection Rate (bps) :
Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) :
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor):
Substrate Used :
How Thick is your base fert :
How thick is your gravel :
Liquid Fertilizers Used :
Frequency of fertilization :
Tank Temperature :
Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) :
Filter media used :
How long has your tank been set up :
Other equipment :

Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
---------------------------------------
Carbonate Hardness (KH):
Total Hardness (gH):
pH :
NH4 (ppm):
NO2 (ppm):
NO3 (ppm):
PO4 (ppm):
Fe (ppm):

Bioload (Your Fish and Plants)
------------------------------

<State what fishes and plants you have to the best of your ability>


Describe your problem :

<problem description. If you have picture which could help then please post them>

[qwe123r]

Beginners Info Sheet
--------------------

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH): 50x30x40
Tank Volume (litres or gallons):60L
Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) :15W
Type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) :FL
No. of Hours your light is on :24hrs (plus tank is next to window)
CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : -
Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) : -
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor): -
Substrate Used : -
How Thick is your base fert : -
How thick is your gravel : 4cm
Liquid Fertilizers Used : -
Frequency of fertilization : -
Tank Temperature : 23-28degrees
Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) : overhead
Filter media used : sponge, carbon
How long has your tank been set up : just resetted it on 21 june 03
Other equipment : -

Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
---------------------------------------
Carbonate Hardness (KH): -
Total Hardness (gH): -
pH : -
NH4 (ppm): -
NO2 (ppm): -
NO3 (ppm): -
PO4 (ppm): -
Fe (ppm): -

Bioload (Your Fish and Plants)
------------------------------

cardinal tetras, leaf fishes, dont really know the rest of their names


Describe your problem :

rapid algae growth, and a green film forming on plants, looks rather like algae except denser and darker.

[PeterGwee]

Okay...sad to say you are going in a totally wrong direction for a planted tank.

1)Placing the tank next to a window? Lots of light from the sun is going to cause algae problems due to its high intensity and long duration.

2)No CO2? If you are not going the CO2 way..not even DIY type, then going with low light/ low maintenance tank is the way to go.

3)Overhead filter? If you are going to inject CO2, it would cause lots of gassing off.

4)Carbon in your filter? Its not suitable for a planted tank as it will remove all the necessary nutrients for the plants.

...I think it is definitely better for you to read up more either from this forum or other stuff online as it seems that you know nothing.[] ..Don't rush into it just because a planted tank looks nice..it is not difficult though but needs some reading up and maintenance work if you go the high light way. Go to the FAQ section to start....good luck.

[David]

Peter.....be nice to newbies okay?......

Unfortunately, Peter is right with regard to your basic knowledge of a planted tank hobby. However not all is loss as you need to read to get the information to better equip yourself with knowledge.

What you need to read about is:

1. Filteration system and Nitrogen Cycle.
2. Lighting requirement of a planted tank
3. Fertilisation...(This includes CO2)
4. The relationship between KH and PH.
5. Types of Algae.

[PeterGwee]

Oh, so sorry...sound a bit harsh i guess. [] ...David, it seems that the Aquatic FAQ section is not so distinctive...newbies don't seem to use it? Might need to change the name as Newbies section so that they would go there straight for the info and then post if they can't find what they want?

[Cardinal Tetra]

24hrs of light a day? [:0]

[limsteel]

Mr Peter (CO2 Man) is usually like that lah... I also got it from him before...

But treat it as "No Pain No Gain" []