View Full Version : Controlling algae without any plants?
JL15219
10-02-2008, 3:30 PM
I was just wondering how would I control algae in an african tank without any plants present..I started getting BBA in my tank and not recently noticed some hair algae so I decided to add some plants to see if it would help it never really did most of the plants I used died or are dying even one of the anubias...I guess this is a two part question.
The plants I have had are hornwort, anubias, anacharis, some crypts, and several floaters that actually did good but none of the other did. I have 1.3 wpg daylight bulbs on for 12 hrs and I started using seachem flourish, the substrate it pool filter sand
1. How would I control algae without plants in an african tank?
2. What did I do wrong with the plants I had why did most not grow much to out compete the algae? should I just give up on the plants?
I have seen some very nice planted african tanks I want the same but.....
:wall::wall::wall::wall::wall:
jpappy789
10-02-2008, 4:25 PM
1.) 12 hrs. is way too much light planted or not. I would go 8 hours max, only when you are home to view the tank. Also try cutting down on feeding as excess nutrients leads to unwanted algae. Cichlids produce a lot of waste, which is probably contributing to the algae problem.
2.) All those plants listed should have done fine in the setup you have. I have grown those with much less light and no ferts/Co2. It is possible that your algae had such a strong foothold on the nutrients available that the plants were starved. Also, it may have been the source. I have gotten plants from large chain stores (even poorly managed LFS's) that never survived no matter the condition they are in. You should probably take into account that plants and africans don't always mix...that might have been your problem.
JL15219
10-02-2008, 4:38 PM
Oh really I have read several articles that suggest having the light on for 10-12hrs...So 8hrs is enough.....
Slappy*McFish
10-02-2008, 4:44 PM
Yes. On all my tanks, (planted or not) the lights are on a timer and come on around 3-4pm and go off at midnight. If algae starts getting out of hand, I drop the lighting period down until things get under control.
jpappy789
10-02-2008, 4:45 PM
In an unplated tank you do not technically need light at all. The fish will be fine without it. It's purely for your viewing pleasure. I would advise turning on the light only when you are around to view the tank.
Even in a planted tank 12 hrs. is far too much. 8-10 is more appropriate.
agreed.. My tank runs from 11:00AM - 7:00PM
12hrs is way too much light..
JL15219
10-02-2008, 6:31 PM
Okay what else am I doing wrong?
JL15219
10-03-2008, 2:27 PM
Anybody?
Star_Rider
10-03-2008, 3:06 PM
"The plants I have had are hornwort, anubias, anacharis, some crypts, and several floaters that actually did good but none of the other did. I have 1.3 wpg daylight bulbs on for 12 hrs and I started using seachem flourish, the substrate it pool filter sand"
hornwort is notorious for falling apart it will need to acclimate in your tank it, may not it may do better floating.
Anacharis is the same. it varies in my tanks how well this does. it also tends to do better floating. anubias also prefers high light. often if you get it from a store it came from an outside pond or tank exposed to sunlight.
anubias.. do not bury the rhizome these can be tied to wood rocks etc.
crypts are also known to melt. but if the root is healthy it will regenerate in most cases.
jpappy789
10-04-2008, 3:22 AM
"The plants I have had are hornwort, anubias, anacharis, some crypts, and several floaters that actually did good but none of the other did. I have 1.3 wpg daylight bulbs on for 12 hrs and I started using seachem flourish, the substrate it pool filter sand"
hornwort is notorious for falling apart it will need to acclimate in your tank it, may not it may do better floating.
Anacharis is the same. it varies in my tanks how well this does. it also tends to do better floating. anubias also prefers high light. often if you get it from a store it came from an outside pond or tank exposed to sunlight.
anubias.. do not bury the rhizome these can be tied to wood rocks etc.
crypts are also known to melt. but if the root is healthy it will regenerate in most cases.
Most anubias do fine in low-medium light IME.