Help me formula an algae combat plan

[sqwerc]

Hi all,

As titled, I have an algae outbreak problem after 4 months of bliss with only minor green spot algae appearing.



Currently running a ecco 2232, CO2 injection 1bps, 2 lights one upz pro z (background lighting) and one evo 12 (foreground lighting). Lights are on timer together with CO2 7:30am to 10.30am and 6pm to 11pm.

Any advise or suggestions are welcomed! I have tried to prune away the problem areas but the algae rebounds back.

[Shadow]

how big is you tank?

[AQMS]

How much fert do you dose weekly?

[sqwerc]

how big is you tank?

My tank is 30cm cube. I use a NPK fert by sera. Use the recommended dosage of about 5 drops daily.

[Shadow]

It look like fuzz or oedogonium which normally associate with low CO2, low nutrients, poor water flow.

So how do you inject CO2 (reactor/diffuser/etc)? and how is your filtration system?
It would be great if you know your CO2 level. Do you have any cleaning crew?

[sqwerc]

Thanks for the replies. Here are more photos for reference. I removed the plants that were heavily covered with the fuzz. Have a team of 4 ottos in the tank and some cherry shrimp. Using a ecco 2232 packed with Biohome plus. Used to have 2 Rams but one just died when i got home this evening. Don't know the cause of death.

[sqwerc]

[troyz]

hi bro...water change, lower the light timing...get a higher flowrate filter...

[Shadow]

Your water flow is blocked by plants, your co2 bubble just raise up, wonder how many ppm in there water. Increase your co2 until fish gasping for air, then reduce it by around 1 bps. Cruel but work : lol:. Lastly improve your flow.

[barmby]

8 hours of lighting period!!! Wow for a 4 month old tank.

[Regis]

Putting frog bits works for me. They can compete with the algae for co2

[sqwerc]

I had the impression that 8hrs is the recommending lighting period? Too long? How much should I cut it back to?

Thanks for all the suggestions, I am going to rearrange the canister to improve the circulation. Think removing the rain bar will help.

[Whitefit]

I on 4hr rest 2hr den 4 hr again


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[sqwerc]

Anything that eats this algae?

[barmby]

Sorry. there is no silver bullet here.

[AQMS]

Is all about finding the right balance of nutrients,lights and Co2.

[sqwerc]

Thanks for all the replies. I've trimmed back all my plants, up the co2, removed the rain bar such the the outlet creates a current that carries the tiny co2 bubbles around and lastly added a gex m filter to increase circulation.

[sqwerc]

Hi everyone thank you for the help rendered. I seem to be fighting a losing battle with the algae. Here are some update:-

1) I purchased a up CO2 reactor to have better CO2 distribution
2) I reduced the livestock in the tank. Only cherry shrimp and they seem to be doing well - seeing some shrimplets
3) change my lighting period to 4 hours in the morning 4 and night
4) Current water test results - pH 6-6.5 / GH 13 dkh / KH 6 dkh
5) Replanted my foreground plants as they were over run by algae the last time round. Seems like the same is happening again.

[barmby]

Still, 4 + 4 light is not working. maybe you do just 4 hours and see how?

[Shadow]

its BBA, even black out wont kill it