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View Full Version : Green Spot Algae.. which is a better fix



calivivarium1
01-24-2009, 11:43 PM
Okay guys, I received the drop checker for my tank a few weeks back and have been doing my darndest to keep the solution in the "green(A lousy regulator makes this irritating when the bottle runs low)." My hair/thread algae problem has just about dissapeared but I am still dealing with GSA. Is this a sign of any extra nutrient in particular or should I just keep playing around with my dosing until it goes away? Or is this more related to my lighting?

My tank is a 10gal with 27w 6500k PC lighting. I am also wondering if perhaps the light itself is the source of my woes. Unlike t-5 or the longer tube PC setups I am running a quad tube about 4" long. This focuses most of the light in one area, and this area is where 99% of all my GSA is located. My issue is that letting my plants block most of the light at the surface has a disproportionate effect on the edges of my tank that already receive little light.

To make a long story short, which is a better route to attempt to tackle. Find a different bulb(I can either switch to the two pin bulb and run an 18w or maybe a 20w quad bulb?)/block some light or deal with the algae itself by trying more plants and continuing to mess with the dosing?

Fordtrannyman
01-25-2009, 12:36 AM
It's believed that low P04 + Low C02 is the primary culprit for GSA.
I have another theory, but I won't get into that without evidence.:)
The recommended saturation levels has changed in recent years from 0.5-1.0mg/l to 2.0-3.0mg/l.
This is by far, IMO the toughest algae to control. I have seen lots of discussion on Barrs' forum about combative measures. I really don't have any concrete experience that I can share or a handle on it myself.

plantbrain
01-25-2009, 12:18 PM
I might scrub glass once every 2-3 months?
Good CO2, good PO4 dosing.

Of course good other nutrients to keep the plants growing well.
Nothing special really.

Reducing the lighting often helps take care of CO2 issues.(less CO2 demand since light drives CO2 uptake demand), or you can simply add a bit more CO2 and then dose high PO4.

Regards,
Tom Barr

calivivarium1
01-25-2009, 2:03 PM
Thanks for the responses guys. I clean the acrylic, scrub the driftwood, and trim infested leaves every water change. I will try upping my PO4 doses for the next two weeks and see what happens. I had been shooting for a saturation level of about 1mg/l, I'll just straight up double my doses and see what happens from there.

stezatois
01-26-2009, 5:46 PM
the 3rd one down gives advice on your dilemma http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_freshwater_algae.php