help w/ planted tank & algae

[Just5398]

I have a 20 gallon tank with 7 live plants. I know that there is an imbalance if I'm getting so much algae. I have a coralife 65 watt bulb on most of the day. I "fertilize" with Leaf Zone once a week and use CO2 3 times a week. How do I balance the tank so the plants outweigh the algae? It's mostly hair or thread algae. I also know that reducing the light will help too; any other suggestions?

Thanks!

PS I have guppies, mollies, tetras and shrimp.

[Squawkbert]

If by "Use CO2" 3 times per week, you mean adding Flourish Excel, maybe you need to reduce the dosage slightly and use it daily. That & cutting back on light period may help, but at ~3WPG, you may have to eventually consider going w/ a pair of 2L DIY or a pressurized CO2 system.

[Just5398]

The CO2 I add is a system by Jungle Labs (Plant Care Solutions) CO2 tablets. Is that not good? It was cheap and easy to use. I've tried setting up a DIY CO2 and failed miserably so I gave up on it and went with this system.
Should I be using Flourish Excel?

Thank you for your help!

[mellowvision]

co2 is effective when it's steady and constant, fluxuations lead to algae. havent read anything good about the jungle labs product.

[AnnetteG]

I'm having an issue with algae too. This is my first planted tank, and in fact, the plants are "inherited", ie, they came with the tank when we bought it from a guy. The lights are a fixture he built, which has a lot of brushed aluminum inside the hood and 2 GE Ecolux 50w bulbs and 2 GE Ecolux 32w bulbs.

I haven't added any fertilizers.

I'll be watching this thread.

ETA: I think they're mostly lowlight type plants: cabomba, hornwort, a couple other tall types I don't know what they are yet, and a bunch of little grassy type things. Some water sprite and water wysteria and a couple of java ferns on a piece of driftwood (that one I did do myself!).

[Squawkbert]

Cabomba is not a low light plant - it requires pretty high light levels to do well.

The rest you mentioned are low light species (except probably the "grassy things" - if they're swarf Sag, they're medium light - if they're Mondo Grass, they aren't aquatic & should probably be removed).

[AnnetteG]

but with that much light, that's enough for cabomba isn't it? It seems pretty bright to me, but I'm new to the plant thing. I love how they look, but I don't love how messy they are. The guy we bought the tank from seemed pretty knowledgeable, so I doubt any of the plants aren't aquatic. My husband said when he was taking the tank down, he was separating all the plants and telling him the scientific names for them and he was VERY....mmm....perfectionist is a nice word. :cool:

[Just5398]

co2 is effective when it's steady and constant, fluxuations lead to algae. havent read anything good about the jungle labs product.

well then, I think you've answered my question. Now for more questions if that's okay?

Flourish Excel was mentined earlier as a CO2 source- should I start using that?
or Should I wait until the algae gets under control?
What should I do to get it under control?
What, if any, ferlilizers should I use - ease is most important at the moment.

Hold my hand - PLEASE?!?!?!

[fjf888]

In discussions listed on other plant forums, I have read the Flourish Excel actually also helps control and eliminate algae. There is some legal reason why they do not disclose that. I think it would make sense to use the Flourish Excel in your 20g. Just make sure you don't overdose it. I would also add more plants. You have sufficient light, more plants, excel, less algae. You should manually remove what you can although to get off to a good start.

As far as dosing goes. You need to dose macro nutrients NKP, and micro nutrients namely, Fe, Mg, Ca. Seachem Flourish is excellent for trace/micro nutrients. Seachem also has specific products that dose NKP.

Good luck

Fred

[tiki19]

I've tried setting up a DIY CO2 and failed miserably so I gave up on it and went with this system.
Should I be using Flourish Excel?

I use the Nutrafin Natural Plant Care System for CO2 - sort of DIY already to go. It's easy, cheap (around $20.00), and the canister looks nicer than a soda bottle. Just don't buy replacement "activator/stabilizer" packets - they're just yeast and baking soda.

[rufbabe]

carefull with the nutrients first try to get it just fine for ur "plantation", excess of nutrients more algae!
Dont give more light then 8-9 hours/day!
Control the ammount of food u give ur fish! Overfeed is the same that saying more garbadge to ur tank!

I have a 25G tank and also planted and also with some algae that are disapearing cause i started doing more partial water changings...also with the rest of the considerations above...

If ur plants have just got to the place just give it some time to get settled, it need routs to get the nutrients...


So... just get ur tank balanced in as many ways as possible... dont forget that its a microenviroment...

and now just forgive my bad english :P

Cu

Alex

[Gbbudd]

get the fastes grow plant you can get your hands on and get lots of it use your lights if doing 8 hours do 4 hours on 2 off 4 on. and co2 needs to be more a constant then a high does fade away high dose.

[Just5398]

Thank you! I will look into and get more plants - medium light probably. I just ordered two types of mosses so they'll be here next week. I will also cut the light down to 4 hours a day. Although, how will that affect the plants if they're getting less light? that'll be okay I guess.

Thank you all for your help!!!

[AnnetteG]

I think he meant 4 hours on, 2 off, then another 4 on. That's what I'm trying to do now too. Haven't turned mine on yet this morning because I want to wait till I'm ready to sit there for a bit and enjoy it. :)

[fjf888]

Seems to me you might be mixing up two approaches. You can get rid of algae by cutting light (blackout), or you can have more plants and CO2 to compete with the algae. Consistent CO2 dosing whether by excel or other means is important. Lowering the lights to a lower level will actually swing the competitive advantage in favor of the algae which are more efficient using less light then plants.

[Just5398]

got ya! I did mix up the two. I will add more plants first then see what happens.

Thanks for clarifying.