newbiefishcpl Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Our plants and rocks are covered with tiny little spikes of growth, algae I image. We clean the tank out every week, the lights are on daily between 8-10 hours, we only feed every two days and small amounts and we have two BN's. Are we feeding too much? Are the lights on for too long? How can we get rid of this, or limit the growth? Any advice greatfully received Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabid Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 plant some *more* plants and feed them some flourish comprehensive, once they are established they will outcompete the algae for nutrients. Also look at replacing your bulbs if they are old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 We clean the tank out every week what does the cleaning out that you do entail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiefishcpl Posted March 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 We empty about half the tank (give or take) take out all decorations/driftwood and clean them in a bucket of tank water, and if the plants need a trim, we do so. We have 4 plants in the tank at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiefishcpl Posted March 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Rabid, it's only a 130lt tank so we thought 4 plants would be sufficient. We do feed them (the plants) fertiliser, but haven't for a couple of weeks as we thought that was why the algae was taking over Should we continue with the fertiliser? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I bet you don't pull up your tomatoe plants and trim them once a week so why do it to your aquatic plants? Might I suggest that only having four plants, disturbing them regularly and adding fertilizers may be your problem. It takes a while for plants (undisturbed) to become established and start taking up fertilizers so with only a few plants you are only really fertilizing the algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiefishcpl Posted March 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Alan.....I said IF the plants need a trim (dead leaves) etc then we do it. We don't pull them out unless absolutely necessary. Guess we will just keep doing what we're doing and hope it improves. Thanks all for advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Planting more fast growing plants ought to help reduce the nutrients on which the algae feeds. Four plants is very little for 130L. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Sorry if I sounded a bit cute. My point was that you have a very small load on the ferts with only 4 plants and it takes a while for them to become established and start taking up ferts so your ferts are feeding the algae. I would suggest lots more suitable plants and no ferts for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabid Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 in my 130 litre i have about 200 plants. 1 t8 powerglo , 1 t8 cool daylight, and 2 t5ho powerglos. Every 3 months i have to scrape a little bit of green dot algae off the glass but not enough to hinder my view of the fish. You need more plants, 4 isnt enough for a fishbowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiefishcpl Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Excellent!! Plant shopping here we come We didn't realise the more plants the better. Thanks everyone, appreciate you all taking the time to offer sound advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 You don't need to pull plants out to trim them. And maybe having natural wood or rocks would help too since they don't get as dirty as ornaments and they look much better. When you go shopping, remember to choose things that are easy to care for. Java fern, Limnophila sessiliflora, Indian fern and Amazon sword plants are a good start. You could also get some Saggitaria or moss too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 with indian fern, don't let the fish pick at the roots, make sure all the roots are underground, my old one died because the tetra picked at the roots a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Your wrong there Sam, Indian fern is quite fine for fish most people leave it floating at top. Nothing in the roots can harm fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Your wrong there Sam, Indian fern is quite fine for fish most people leave it floating at top. Nothing in the roots can harm fish. My reading was that the plant died, not the fish? Yay for plant shopping, OP I have about 80-100 plants in my 22l tank (granted, some of them are grasses so only have 4-6 tufts on each plant). Definitey go with more plants. I agree with holding off ferts for a bit. Let the plants establish and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.