Help!!!

[cap1384]

I have some sort of algae on some of my plants its black in color it is on the anuibus and the sword some what and the mondo grass(i think that is what it is called) also i have a hare algae on the glass of my tank i scrape it and do a w/c to try and help remove the particle's


I am using a DIY CO2. about 3wpg, nitrates.nitrites, and ammonia are all 0 p.h. is about 7.2 to 8.0 depends on the CO2 and don't remember what the DKH is but i do know that co2 is around 13.3-7 PPM
fish are 2 julli cories and a black molly and 2 small convicts that are being moved to a 20 to grow out

Thanks,
CAP

[derekp]

Sounds to me like black beard algae and green hair algae. I had some of the same problems in my 55 gallon. 3 words, Siamese Algae Eaters. They eat all kinds of algae and will clean it right up.

[fishorama]

How big is the tank? SAE get 5+ inches. Zero nitrates are not good in a planted tank, you need to look at your (macros, NPK) fertilizing schedule. Algae likes unbalanced tanks.

Mondo grass is not aquatic long term.

[colby]

Algae is out competing your plants. I agree with fishorama, need more fertilizers.

[RichardA]

not sure what fish you will be running in there....however we did a little trial and cherry shrimp as well as others will eat that algae all gone....:)

[StereoKills]

A fertilization regimen will help balance the tank out. If the BBA is on any plants, remove any effected leaves immediately. How long are your lights on each day? I would shoot for about 10 hours a day and found that splitting it up does help getting rid of algae (ex: 5 hours on, 2 off, 5 on).

[Fordtrannyman]

Hey Cap,
as indicated and I'm sure you already know.
Algae is almost always onset from something limited.
The first thing that jumps out at me with the info provided is
a lack of C02 and N03. IME they are the #1 contributors to BBA, BSA, or any other form of red algae.
The hair algae is a little tougher to nail down the source. IME usually is the introduction of Silicate, over feeding fauna or a lack of Bio Filter.

Please do not remove the leaves from your Anubias, (as previously suggested) it can be treated.
As for the others; spot treatment may help as long as they're not completely ridiculed with the stuff.

My immediate recommendation would be 50% Water Change. Make sure your filter is working adequately. Implement an 8 hour photo period. (siestas don't work, another internet myth.)
Manually remove the hair algae. Boost C02 and supplement with Excel.
Start dosing ferts.

[cap1384]

Hey Cap,
as indicated and I'm sure you already know.
Algae is almost always onset from something limited.
The first thing that jumps out at me with the info provided is
a lack of C02 and N03. IME they are the #1 contributors to BBA, BSA, or any other form of red algae.
The hair algae is a little tougher to nail down the source. IME usually is the introduction of Silicate, over feeding fauna or a lack of Bio Filter.

Please do not remove the leaves from your Anubias, (as previously suggested) it can be treated.
As for the others; spot treatment may help as long as they're not completely ridiculed with the stuff.

My immediate recommendation would be 50% Water Change. Make sure your filter is working adequately. Implement an 8 hour photo period. (siestas don't work, another internet myth.)
Manually remove the hair algae. Boost C02 and supplement with Excel.
Start dosing ferts.


what is siestas????? nevermind i just reread it???? now i feel like an idiot

I am currently using flourish....tell me waht ferts i need and i will get them it is a 10 gal tank...



The mondo will survive how long in the water i'm not all that fond of it anyhow.


My lights are on 10 to 11 hrs aday...

I am running a whisper 60 on a 10 g tank i would think that should be enough filtration??? maybe even over kill

i will attempt to increase the ammount of co2 in the tank.

[Hooked Newbie]

Sounds to me like black beard algae and green hair algae. I had some of the same problems in my 55 gallon. 3 words, Siamese Algae Eaters. They eat all kinds of algae and will clean it right up.

IMO, there is no "quick fix" for BBA and adding fish to take care of a problem is a bad idea. Reduce lighting (duration or wattage), stop dosing Flourish, add plants, remove what you can, and start dosing with Excel. I've had it in a few of my tanks and it requires some commitment to get rid of.

[Fordtrannyman]

what is siestas????? nevermind i just reread it???? now i feel like an idiot
:)

I am currently using flourish....tell me waht ferts i need and i will get them it is a 10 gal tank...
Liquid ferts. are usually sufficient for a 10gal. Although they are much more expensive than buying and mixing dry ferts.Here is a link to buy dry ferts in smaller quantities-package deal to get you started. (http://groups.msn.com/LyreTailsAquarium/plantsandfertilizersforsale.msnw)
Flourish alone may not be enough. That really depends on what nutrients are already available in your tap water. A quick test for N03, FE, N02, and DKH or DGH will tell you.
Here are some target levels to shoot for in a planted tank.
Target for Nitrate = 10 mg/l
Target for potassium is 20 mg/l in water replaced weekly only
Target range for phosphate is 1/2 to 1 mg/l
Target is 5 to 10 mg/l of Mg
Target for Calcium = 10+ mg/l
Target for Fe = 0.1 to 0.2 mg/l



The mondo will survive how long in the water i'm not all that fond of it anyhow.
I'm not familiar with this plant. But, if you don't want it, pull it, don't let it die or degrade away.


My lights are on 10 to 11 hrs aday...
Reduce to 8hrs. What type of lighting is it, including spectrum?

I am running a whisper 60 on a 10 g tank i would think that should be enough filtration??? maybe even over kill
Plants like water circulation. But, so does algae and it probably creates a lot of surface agitation and disperses the little bit of C02 that makes it in the water. I use deflectors made from water bottles on my HOBs to reduce surface agitation.

i will attempt to increase the ammount of co2 in the tank.
Do yourself a favor and get some Excel. Your plants will thank you.
It's also good for spot treating BBA.

[cap1384]

:)


Liquid ferts. are usually sufficient for a 10gal. Although they are much more expensive than buying and mixing dry ferts.Here is a link to buy dry ferts in smaller quantities-package deal to get you started. (http://groups.msn.com/LyreTailsAquarium/plantsandfertilizersforsale.msnw)
Flourish alone may not be enough. That really depends on what nutrients are already available in your tap water. A quick test for N03, FE, N02, and DKH or DGH will tell you.
Here are some target levels to shoot for in a planted tank.
Target for Nitrate = 10 mg/l
Target for potassium is 20 mg/l in water replaced weekly only
Target range for phosphate is 1/2 to 1 mg/l
Target is 5 to 10 mg/l of Mg
Target for Calcium = 10+ mg/l
Target for Fe = 0.1 to 0.2 mg/l

Do I need to get tests for iorn, phosphate, calcium, and potassium?



I'm not familiar with this plant. But, if you don't want it, pull it, don't let it die or degrade away.



Reduce to 8hrs. What type of lighting is it, including spectrum?

I don't know what kind of light it is its temmporary untill I many the this tank will be a 20g with 110w CF

Plants like water circulation. But, so does algae and it probably creates a lot of surface agitation and disperses the little bit of C02 that makes it in the water. I use deflectors made from water bottles on my HOBs to reduce surface agitation.

I have the filter turned down so there isn't to much movement if its turned up anymore the fish can't get awayfrom the current

Do yourself a favor and get some Excel. Your plants will thank you.
It's also good for spot treating BBA.

I will have to order excel because non of the LFS around here carry it

[Fordtrannyman]

Here are some really good articles that may help you even more. (http://groups.msn.com/LyreTailsAquarium/plantsandalgae1.msnw)

[cap1384]

so i got my co2 up t 20ppm that helps right?

[Fordtrannyman]

so i got my co2 up t 20ppm that helps right?

Yep! Your on your way.
Did you get some excel as well? and reduce your photo period?

[cap1384]

I have not got the excel yet, I did decrease the photo period though its on 8 to 9 hrs a day

[Fordtrannyman]

I have not got the excel yet, I did decrease the photo period though its on 8 to 9 hrs a day

Good, now comes patience.
Which is the hardest discipline to practice in this hobby.