Help with an algae problem

[b-roll]

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH): 30x18x21
Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 195
Type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : PL
No. of Hours your light is on: 10
CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : 15-20
Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) : DIY
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor): Reactor
Substrate Used : Aquatic pond substrate/vermiculite/pea gravel
How Thick is your base fert : 1-2”
How thick is your gravel : 1-1.5”
Liquid Fertilizers Used : Flourish/potassium/iron/trace (seachem)
Frequency of fertilization : 1 mL per day of each
Tank Temperature : 75-78F
Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) : Overhead
Filter media used : Aquachargers/Diamond Blend
How long has your tank been set up : 4 months


Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
---------------------------------------

Carbonate Hardness (kh): 6
Total Hardness (gH): 5
PH : 7.4
NH4 (ppm): ?
NO2 (ppm): ?
NO3 (ppm): ?
PO4 (ppm): ?
Fe (ppm): ?

Bioload (Your Fish and Plants) Micro swords, Dwarf hairgrass, Giant hairgrass,
Bacopa, Red ludwigia, Amazon sword, Wisteria, Banana plants, Java fern, Lutea, Glossostigma, Red melon sword

(3) Clown loaches, (2) Rosy barbs, (2) Gouramis, (4) Otocinculus, (2) Chinese algae eaters, (1) Red-tailed black shark, (2) Rainbow boesemani, (1) Pleco, (1) farowella




I am having an awful time with a blue-green filament algae. I have tried everything to get rid of it (CO2, algae-eating fish, stopping fertilization, etc. I do not want to take the plants out and try the bleach method. Is there anything else I can do?

[Simon]

nothing eats BGA, search in the forum... quite a popular question

[augi_ow]

time to black out your tank....

things to do:
1- off your filter and lights and CO2
2- remove as much BGA as you can
3- clean all your equipments- filter etc etc etc
4- do a 80% water change after that
5- turn on your filter
6- cover your whole tank with something dark and make sure no lights can goes through it (BLANKET??)
7- leave it for 2 days, check if the stuff remains, if it is still there, leave it another day or so, check it again, if it is still there, cover your tank, if everything is OKAY.. remove your blanket or whatever you covered your tank with....
8- do a 50% water change, and give your plants a good dosing of fertilisers

NOTE : your fish won't die, i blackout my tank twice before already, but remember to feed them during the blackout period

AND TRY NOT TO LET ANY LIGHT ENTER YOUR TANK!!! IMPORTANT

all the best, have fun with your tank

[barmby]

NO3 deficiency is very great till BGA grows. CO2 is another reason. After blackout is done. Add NO3 and maintain adequate CO2 at 20-30ppm.

Watch it! Most folks run into BBA issues right after BGA visits...

[Plantbrain]

Add 1/4 teaspoon of KNO3 per 80 liters of tank after the first water change.

Blackout the tank, turn off CO2.

Wait 3 days, do another water change, add same amount of KNO3 back again. Reconnect CO2. Clean filter etc.

Add KNO3 at least 2x a week, 1/8-1/4 teaspoon per 80 liters.

BGA should not come back if you do this.

Regards,
Tom Barr