green algae growing on substrate..

[sundevil88]

Hello everyone,

I seem to have a problem with green algae on my pebble substrate.. I have a 55g with 2x54 watt fluorescent lighting. Its a planted freshwater tank.

I just wanted to know WHY i have about 2 patches of green algae growing down there?

My lights are on for about 10hrs a day on a timer. I was doesing flourish excel, but have stopped dosing for about 2 weeks now in an attempt to reduce nutrients for the algae.

Any input would be nice, thanks :)

[Canuck]

Is the algae slimy? Does it come of in sheets? If so it would be BGA. You don't give any water parameters but if it is BGA then this has always been triggered by lack of nitrates in my tank. You may need to dose micros (flourish comprehensive) macros (NPK) and CO2. In a planted tank, lack of nutrients causes more algae than an excess. The excel is only a carbon source and does not provided any other nutrients. How often do you do water changes? BGA is also associated with tanks that have high organic loads (dirty filters, and excessive mulm) and low flow (also associated with filters that need cleaning. More water changes and filter cleanings may also be in order.

[dundadundun]

start dosing everything... and clean everything... and make sure your circulation leaves no stagnant areas.

sounds like it could be cyano also. good luck... nitrates are most likely in order.

[jones57742]

I just wanted to know WHY i have about 2 patches of green algae growing down there?

s8:

The plants are not "outcompeting" the algae for nutrients due to an imbalance in the nutrient concentrations.

Per the previous posts dosing with Potassium, Magnesioum and micronutrients (CSM+B or Flourish) would be appropriate.

TR