Drowning under a sea of algae

Aussie_hippie_2

Aussie_hippie_2

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Sep 17, 2006
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Wisconsin USA
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I've been avoiding making the post/plea of help hoping that my algae would get better, but alas, it's been getting worse. First, my 'stats':
29 US gallons
65W Coralife lighting system
35-45% WC's every week
Sand
Cories, dwarf gourami, black angel, bolivian ram, 4 neons, 2 otos

I stopped using CO2 as I was told it was contributing to the mess, but it clearly was NOT. I have basic Flourish which I don't use, since I have a fairly overstocked tank.

The Algae: I have pretty much every kind, the kind that clings to the rocks, driftwood, and plants is around 8mm high and purple. Horrible stuff. I also have a green slimy substance that grows on the sand. Very gross. And last but not least a greenish/purple, fairly thin, algae that sticks to the glass. My new otos are starting to make a difference on this, but it grows back so fast that they can't keep up.

Please help me! I love this tank, but I can barely look at it right now


Thank you for any help!

Picture time:
fish1058.jpg

fish1063.jpg
 
I had a similar problem, recently, especially on my sag. I did a really good cleaning got as much as I could off, Then I did a 4 day black out. When I took the blanket off... voila, no algae in sight, I started using flourish excel right after the blackout and regular flourish, with increased light, heavily planted the tank and two weeks later, still no algae. I would recomend a blackout, followed with the recomended dose everyday instead of every other day, it worked for me. Good luck
 
If I do do a blackout, what do I do with my light sensitive vals? And my fish? I really don't like this option, but if I have to...
 
I'd also try doing a blackout. If you don't like the idea of doing it for so long try 2 days, which is what it took for me. My problem was not nearly as bad as yours but some spots of green algae on rocks and all of the brown algae disappeared.
 
Start your CO2, and I hope it's pressurized. Get the CO2 levels up to 30 ppm. Get a real quick education on fertilizing the planted tank. I would suggest reading the pertinent section of my Guide. Get some real ferts. Dose the tank. Add fast growers and lots of them.

A lot of the algae you have looks to be BBA, and it can and will survive a 3 day blackout.
 
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