Crazy algae problem update

[TonyMuffTana]

A few months ago I posted some pictures of some nasty brush algae that I was dealing with. Thanks to the great advice of many people I've pretty much killed it all off, and havent' had any problems since. I never did any of the drastic measures, I just increased the amount of CO2, nutrients, and started adding Phosphate. Anyways, thanks again and here are some pictures:


Before:

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/18126393.jpg

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/18126390.jpg

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/18126312.jpg

After:

The tanks a bit of a freak show right now with all the overgrown leaves, but I even got a surprise when a cool flower came out!

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/21454389.jpg

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/21454388.jpg

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/21454391.jpg

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/21454393.jpg

[Tempest]

Really nice! You should enter that one in the Aquabotanic contest. :)

[125gJoe]

Very nice!

What are the small plants near the bottom? :)

[tfish]

Thanks so much for the update! I have a bout of brush algea that I am fighting now myself. I searched through the forum this weekend and found your previous thread. I followed Plantbrain's advice of pruning out the algea invested leaves, vaccuming over gravel, and adding CO2 and nutrients. I just started this a few days ago and was only hoping that it would work. Seeing your results today gives me new hope! I will continue with the plan! Thanks!:D

[Skittyfish]

I missed your previous thread, but I have the same stuff growing. I am starting CO2 today! Thanks for the pictures, makes it real.

[djlen]

Good job on the algae. I second the question that Joe asked on the small plants at the bottom front? And, is that a tiger lotus flower? It looks like you really got some good growth from that puppy. I understand that they can get huge if not continually pruned.
Len

[tfish]

Tony -- How long did it take for you to see results once you addressed the CO2 and the nutrients? How long before all of the algea was gone? As I said earlier, I am just now starting my plan of attack and was wondering just how patient I need to be. Thanks!

[TonyMuffTana]

Thanks for all your comments. With regards to how long it took to see a difference, I'd have to say it was quite fast. I basically trimmed any leaf with the algae, scraped anything off the glass or equipment, and vacuumed the bottom like crazy. I added more CO2 (DIY jello style), did 50% water changes once a week and added extra nutrients. I think the SAE's and shrimp took over the work from there and maintained the growth. I never tried the bleaching or lights out method since those were my very last resort.

As for those plants in the front, I'm not sure what their proper name is but I think they're called star grass?? These one's aren't really growing properly since there's not much light from the giant lotus leaves at the top. The other small plants are runners from the lotus and amazon swords.

Here's a link to that original post of mine:

http://64.191.28.50/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3439

and here's a bigger picture of my tank:

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/856751/1547276/21493914.jpg

[nvision]

holy smokes!! i have never seen algae that dreadful before. great to hear your tank turned out well in the end. good job.