Algae in water

[tanker]

Need some advise/help. I have a 100gal tank full of plants. I have lots of Bocopa, Ludwigia, and sag (dwarf). 12 different Encinodoris sword plants (all tall and big). My lighting system is 4x110 watts (2 5.5k and 2 6.5K bulbs).

My proplem is I have started to get algae in the WATER. U can see the small hairs (about 1/8 inch long). The water is full of it, gives it a greenish look. I use "AlgaeFix" by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and the water becomes crystal clear. I follow directions for 1 week. But 2 weeks later the algae is back. I repeat for a week and 2 weeks later algae is back. What must I do?? Any suggestions??

I do weekly water changes of about 15%. Also my tank has only tetras and catfish (corys and ottos), about 90 total fishes. I measure no nitrates and phosphates (probably used by all my plants).

[125gJoe]

The easiest "cure" is to cut back on how long you leave the lights on.. HTH.. :cool:

[plantbrain]

Tanker:

www.sfbaaps.com
Read some of the comments under references.
http://www.aquatic-plants.org/fert/est_index/est_index1.html

You have a good resource right in town. Also SFAS has a plant study group, Erik Leung runs it. A good place to trade plants etc.
SFBAAPS is having a meeting at Alan's also this weekend.

440 w on a 100 gal of PC lighting is a bit much. I'd reduce this to 330 w or so. Or at least have them come in staggered series, 110w 10hs, 220w 8 hrs, 330w 6 hrs, 440w 4 hrs etc.

That's a lot of light.

Larger water changes is going to be par for the course, 50% a week is a good range. Never use algae killers/algicides on a plant tank EVER. They don't work as you have found out.
The reason you have algae is because your plants are not growing well.

The products fail because they do not grow plants, many retard or stunt plant growth, algae have similar pathways as plants. If it doesn't grow plants, don't add it. Add CO2, NO3, PO4, K, Traces, GH, KH. Read Steve's run down.

You need to add NO3 and PO4.
Yuo also need to have a KH and GH or 3, SF water is too soft by itself to support plant growth with CO2 etc.

Also, stop by Albany Aquarium over in Albany on San Pablo Ave. It's the only plant local fish shop around and Justin off of Cedar(Ocean Aqaurium).

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Timmain42]

Originally posted by plantbrain
Tanker:

http://www.aquatic-plants.org/fert/est_index/est_index1.html


I got a dead link off of this, FYI.

[plantbrain]

I just clicked on it, it works for me.
Regards,
Tom Barr

[tanker]

Plantbrain:

Nice sites. Cannot make it this wkend (kids have special event after church).
PS I live a little further south of my post (San Mateo).
Will try your advice. This is a nice forum (I started from reefcentral.com).

[tanker]

Plantbrain(Tom):

Have not been on this forum long enough. Which company do you recomend?? I use Kent for most of my FW-plant needs, is this good??

[Timmain42]

Originally posted by plantbrain
I just clicked on it, it works for me.
Regards,
Tom Barr

Nurk.

NOW it works... darn Interweb, making a liar out of me. :(

[plantbrain]

Timmain:
Them bad old routers:)

Tanker:
Doesn't matter much. I've been somewhat of a SeaChem loyalist since Fliurite came out. Greg is very responsive to customers on the web. He is more interested in what the hobby needs than others, he'll often post to various list etc and has came out with a number of products while Kent has cahsed after with similar product lines.

I suspect both are similar. I use Tropica Master Grow, SeaChem stuff, or my own mixes, such as KNO3, K2SO4, KH2PO4, CMS dry trace and mix it myself etc.

It's up to you what product you want.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[tanker]

Thx Tom:

Will stick with what I have been using. Maybe make an attempt to mix my own someday. Just saw a post my you (I think) in a fish mag (Tropical Fish Hobbiest??).