Richer
12-10-2002, 3:14 PM
Mark426
Posts: 7
From: Beaufort, SC, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
posted October 14, 2002 08:17 PM IP: Logged
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I have some thread algae that I just can’t seem to get rid of. Water parameters are within or close to Tom Barrs specs. 2.8 watts per gallon 11 hours per day, CO2, Fluorite/Onyx. I use Flourish and Flourish Trace one a week, weekly 25% water changes. I have amano shrimp, sae, ottos, and a black mollie. None of them seem to eat it, I pick at it more than they do. I rarely feed them. I though about trying a black out for 3 or 4 days, do you think that will help any? Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Mark
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jafo
Posts: 142
From: Johnson City, TN. USA
Registered: Oct 2002
posted October 14, 2002 08:49 PM IP: Logged
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Possible Causes: Lights on too long (can thrive in low light), high nitrates, high phosphates.
Try cutting your lights back 1-2 hours less per day. Check for high phosphates! Many ph adjusters, water buffers, and fish foods are loaded with phosphates.
I'm finishing my 2nd fight with the stuff. I had high phosphates and my lights were on 14 hrs a day. I'm using a phosphate removal media product, cut the lights back to 10 hrs per day, and 2 fat TRUE Siamese Algae Eaters. The same battle was fought and won in another tank a few months ago. That's when I learned of the phosphate factor.
The only fish I've ever heard of that will touch the stuff is a TRUE Siamese Algae Eater. It's not their prefered diet but they will eat it!
Good luck. It's a tough fight but winable.
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GulfCoastAquarian
Posts: 250
From: Gulfport, MS
Registered: Feb 2002
posted October 15, 2002 09:02 AM IP: Logged
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I have what you might consider to be an unusual suggestion - add some more fast growing stem plants. They'll steal away those nutrients faster than algae can and more reliably than any phosphate sponge I've ever used.
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-Sam
55gal planted tank ~ 190W PC/NO lighting, Fluval 403 can, DIY CO2, Flourite Substrate, Yamato Green
20g Marine Tank~ 64w ODNO lights, 4" DSB, 20lbs Fiji LR, 20gal DSB/scrubber
My Website
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99RedSi
Posts: 12
From:
Registered: Oct 2002
posted October 16, 2002 12:07 PM IP: Logged
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GulfCoastAquarian-
What are some of the plants you are suggesting, specifically? I'd like to know for my self!
Thanks!
------------------
1999 Honda Civic Si
Intake/Headers/Exhaust/Suspension Upgrades - ya know, the usual :)
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Richer
Moderator
Posts: 824
From: Edmonton, AB
Registered: Aug 2002
posted October 16, 2002 07:18 PM IP: Logged
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i see a fertillizer problem. what are you nitrate readings? do you add phosphates? pottassium? how much trace do you add? what is your co2 level at?
-Richer
Posts: 7
From: Beaufort, SC, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
posted October 14, 2002 08:17 PM IP: Logged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have some thread algae that I just can’t seem to get rid of. Water parameters are within or close to Tom Barrs specs. 2.8 watts per gallon 11 hours per day, CO2, Fluorite/Onyx. I use Flourish and Flourish Trace one a week, weekly 25% water changes. I have amano shrimp, sae, ottos, and a black mollie. None of them seem to eat it, I pick at it more than they do. I rarely feed them. I though about trying a black out for 3 or 4 days, do you think that will help any? Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Mark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jafo
Posts: 142
From: Johnson City, TN. USA
Registered: Oct 2002
posted October 14, 2002 08:49 PM IP: Logged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possible Causes: Lights on too long (can thrive in low light), high nitrates, high phosphates.
Try cutting your lights back 1-2 hours less per day. Check for high phosphates! Many ph adjusters, water buffers, and fish foods are loaded with phosphates.
I'm finishing my 2nd fight with the stuff. I had high phosphates and my lights were on 14 hrs a day. I'm using a phosphate removal media product, cut the lights back to 10 hrs per day, and 2 fat TRUE Siamese Algae Eaters. The same battle was fought and won in another tank a few months ago. That's when I learned of the phosphate factor.
The only fish I've ever heard of that will touch the stuff is a TRUE Siamese Algae Eater. It's not their prefered diet but they will eat it!
Good luck. It's a tough fight but winable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GulfCoastAquarian
Posts: 250
From: Gulfport, MS
Registered: Feb 2002
posted October 15, 2002 09:02 AM IP: Logged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have what you might consider to be an unusual suggestion - add some more fast growing stem plants. They'll steal away those nutrients faster than algae can and more reliably than any phosphate sponge I've ever used.
------------------
-Sam
55gal planted tank ~ 190W PC/NO lighting, Fluval 403 can, DIY CO2, Flourite Substrate, Yamato Green
20g Marine Tank~ 64w ODNO lights, 4" DSB, 20lbs Fiji LR, 20gal DSB/scrubber
My Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99RedSi
Posts: 12
From:
Registered: Oct 2002
posted October 16, 2002 12:07 PM IP: Logged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GulfCoastAquarian-
What are some of the plants you are suggesting, specifically? I'd like to know for my self!
Thanks!
------------------
1999 Honda Civic Si
Intake/Headers/Exhaust/Suspension Upgrades - ya know, the usual :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richer
Moderator
Posts: 824
From: Edmonton, AB
Registered: Aug 2002
posted October 16, 2002 07:18 PM IP: Logged
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i see a fertillizer problem. what are you nitrate readings? do you add phosphates? pottassium? how much trace do you add? what is your co2 level at?
-Richer