Algae out break :(

[Zdoda]

Having a large problem with algae in my tank, tank has been running for 2 weeks fine until 4 days ago started to notice some algae. not sure on the algae but here are some photos, what is the best solution i do now? empty the tank and start from scratch?

Tank size is 450Ltr

I have 4 x 54watt T5 HO lights set for 8 - 10 hours a day.

DIY Co2 just set up yesterday (hoping to get a proper system when funds are available)

Ferts: Flourish Comprehensive supplement, and Excel.

Hope someone can help, was looking so nice

[#!CrunchBang]

What fish do you have? some oto's or BN's would eat that up

[Zdoda]

since only new tank, have

1 Scarlet Badis

2 Veiltail Rams

2 Loaches, had a look at receipt can't find exact name of them look very similar to the otto's however, but they diffently aren't eating it or grazing at it.

Are there like specific otto's that would eat it?

Also excuse my ignorance but what is BN? Is it Bristle nose?

I have switched the lights off, and went to hollywood showed them a sample of the sludge/algae and recommended to use TLC Super sludge Digester.

i have just finished removing the driftwood and soaking it in the bath with TLC SSD. then siphoned most of the remaining algae in the tank, washed the plants that was covered in it.

removed the Co2 DIY bottle too.

Also would stopping with the ferts be a good idea?

[Squirt]

Also excuse my ignorance but what is BN? Is it Bristle nose?

yes :thup:

[Zdoda]

yes :thup:

k awesome, will get some then come pay day, is golden bristle nose fine? they look rather cool

[Squirt]

I'm not sure to be honest, I've seen brown ones eating algae. Sorry

[Jennifer]

My advice would be based on two choices: high tech (fast plant growth and more maintenance) or low tech (slow plant growth and lower maintenance).

High tech:

1. Add the Comprehensive at double the dose daily or every other day

2. Consider adding a macronutrient (NPK) supplement, nitrate, phosphate and potassium.

3. Keep adding Excel daily, at the normal dose

4. Keep the CO2 gas levels stable if you are going to add it

5. Reduce the photoperiod or light intensity until the algae gets under control

6. Add some floating plants if you can

7. Do weekly 50% water changes

8. Wait for two weeks to see if there is improvement

Low tech:

1. Add the Comprehensive once or twice a week depending on the types of plants you grow

2. Keep adding Excel every 2-3 days, at the normal dose*

3. Or, omit BOTH 1 & 2 altogether but this will result in slower growth

4. Reduce the photoperiod or light intensity - the more light you add, the more nutrients the plants will need

5. Add some floating plants if you can - these are great for low tech planted tanks

6. Do weekly 10% water changes or a 50% water change every 3 weeks or so (also feed the fish very lightly)

7. Wait for two weeks to see if there is improvement

*If you add Excel, the carbon will 'allow' the plants to use the fertilisers that you have added. Conversely, if you add fertilisers and you don't have carbon/Excel, the plants won't be able to use the fertilisers as well, which will leave it available for the algae to use. So, if you are going to add ferts in order to encourage the plants to grow fast and outcompete the algae, add carbon/CO2/Excel as well.

[the-obstacle]

What Jen said but also - the algae in the pics shows there's too much light and not enough plant growth. So going back to 4 hours a day for a couple of weeks should settle things down.

[Zdoda]

thanks Jen, awesome advice srsly fnzas is the best :thup:

I guess i will have a go at High tech, haha i am trying to think of questions but you have seemed to answer them all atm.

also for my size tank is my lights overkill?

@ theobstacle, yeah i am almost wondering if the cause of the outbreak was due to the heavy lighting without all the plants in the tank, i foolishly ran the tank with the lights on for 10hrs daily when there was all but stargrass in the tank and nothing else two weeks ago.

Would this mean that the lighting for the tank be adequate now that there are a ton of plants in there?

also where can i get the NPK in one form from ? or do i have to buy individual bottles for each? (this may change outcome due to the cost)

again many thanks to all for helping me, fingers cross algae dies!

[Jennifer]

There is not an easy answer to your questions about the lighting. You can have a seriously high amount of light and all will be fine as long as you have sufficient nutrients available. That also means good circulation to distribute the nutrients.

With that size tank, the normal dose rate for Excel will mean you will be going through it a lot, and it is expensive. The DIY for that size tank won't be enough unless you have multiple bottles going or something like that. If you are going high tech, you might want to think about going with pressurised CO2. A complete setup with CO2 gas cylinder, regulator, solenoid and other bits will cost about $300, maybe a little less if you are lucky, or a lot more if you are into quality parts.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when setting up a new tank is not planting it out heavily enough, or hacking back too much of the plant matter all at once. The aim is to get a lot of plants growing well and only trim a little at a time so that you always have a lot of plants growing fast to out compete the algae. It's a challenge, that's why people enjoy it (or why they hate it). :nilly: More info about nutrients can be found here: http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=50222

[Zdoda]

Yeah i am almost wondering if its worth hooking up my FX5 to the tank for better flow in there, which should help a lot with the distribution of the nutrients.

Yeah might have to go low tech for now, till i can afford to get a proper Co2 system in place.

And thanks will have a read on the nutrient section you gave

Do you have any good info sections on setting up on Co2, will do some learning before i venture down that track it seems.

Or if anyone locally in auckland is happy for me to come visit to see there co2 system etc