I have algae, now what?

[rdelbalso]

I have a 55g with 160watts and diy CO2. ph=6.8-7.0, Kh=3.0ppm. I set it up about 4 weeks ago and have it lightly planted. I was planning on making it heavily planted, but after setting it up found out I had to move. Unfortunately, in the last month I have developed what appears to be many types of algae including hair and string algae. I wanted to do something about it, but didn't have time with having to find a new place to live, nor did I have time to find more plants and fertilize.

My question is, now what? I am moving on the 27th, but I will try to move my tank a few days before. I have a lot of algae and I tried to take some of it out, but it is intertwined in my plants and it also has attached to the gravel so when I pull it up a chunk of gravel comes with and I can't pull the algae off. My plants are growing, but the algae is growing more. I want to keep the plants and replant them when I set it back up, but what do I do to remove the algae and prevent it from coming back?

[TomFromStLouis]

sounds like your situation is worse than mine, but I seem to be headed that way. The last resort seems to be yanking the plants out and soaking for a minute or two in a 5% bleach solution. this aledgedly kills algae but the plants survive. You might also cut back on your lighting a bit until you can fully plant the tank so the plants outcompete the algae.

This is my plan should my situation get further out of control and it is a plan born from reading the Krib's algae pages. You know about the Krib, right? www.thekrib.com

I hope people with more experience chime in soon.

[famman]

In your case removing the algae may require a blackout. Adjusting lighting, nutrients, c02 etc should take care of the longterm.
I'm a plant newbie, but do some searches on RTR and algae, he had some great info and some great links.
good luck
:)