Algae is Killing mE

[jjjaks]

Hey Guys

I am getting killed with algae in my 46 gallon tank. Right now I have diatoms, brush algae and green spot algae. Im not really worried about the diatoms because so far what I have read they will go away soon if I cut back on feeding.

My main question is the brush algae. i just don't know how to get rid of it. It is all over my microsword, hygro and anubias. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I increase the co2?

Is the spot algae just going to go away after a while if I leave it alone?

Im getting so discouraged about this whole planting thinG!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I'm dosing with the EI Method for the 40 to 60 gallon tank.
My tank specs are as follows:
46 gallon
1 x 96 watt for 10 hours
1 x 96 for 3 hours
CO@ injection

[Mgamer20o0]

how full heavy is it planted?

[BrkD]

huh..funny..diatoms=high phosphates or silcates and green spot algae= low phosphates.

EI method is for very densly planted tanks maybe add more fast nutrient comsuming plants in there to outcompete algae for nutrients. i forgot what the target nutrient levels were for EI dosing but i keep my potassium at around 20ppm, nitrate 10ppm, not too sure of phosphate but probably around 3ppm, and co2 2x ppm.

[jjjaks]

I consider it pretty heavily plants. Right now the most of the whole right side is trimmed hygro. The left side has two crypts, two anubias, and some microsword. All of which are infected!

What are some examples of plants that are high nutrient consumers?

Could it be possible that I am overdosing for the EI method? I always thought that if I overdosed there wouldnt be any problems. maybe not?

[180gz71]

How old is the setup? Mine was about 6mos into it and it started getting every kind of algae u can think of. I was dosing EI, it turned out that my plants werent " up and running" just quite yet. What I did(kinda expensive, but works well) is use Flourish Excel, and doubled the dose of what the bottle says 2-3x per week. I didnt just add it to tank though, I got a little plastic syringe, and applied it (10-20ml) directly to the affected area. I have a 180 gallon so my doses are different, but I would suggest this for a week or so. Then stop, if the algae comes back it probably has to do with ur water conditions, ferts, or lighting. That was my solution anyways, I havent used excel in over 2 weeks now, and no out of place algae. just my 3cents

[Clankeye]

Try reducing your lighting to eight hours per day. It helped me.

[jjjaks]

Thanks 180,

I tired the Excel method before but I always just splashed it into the tank. That is probably where I am going wrong.

Now where I can I go buy a syringe or pipet? Anyone know any common stores?

[jjjaks]

Should I possibly start doing more than one water change a week but a smaller amount?

Would this screw up the whole EI method?

[180gz71]

I got my syringe from walgreens, any drugstore would do though. It is for giving babies meds. It was like 2.99 or something.

[jjjaks]

Great! Ill try that

[msjinkzd]

you could try a turkey baster too, they sell them at the dollar store

[jjjaks]

This is great. I just went to Long's and they have a baby syringe called an "oral-syringe." It works great; it has ml's and measures 1/4's of tsps.

[180gz71]

This is great. I just went to Long's and they have a baby syringe called an "oral-syringe." It works great; it has ml's and measures 1/4's of tsps.
What I did/do, is take the dosage for the whole tank( mine is 60ml)and use that amount. I just squirt it directly onto the most affected areas. I did it every other day with the recommended beginning dosage. Oh, yeah if ya didnt know try not to do it near the time when lights cut out, it can harm the fishiiieeez,