Aquaria Central

[jschall]

Originally Posted by jpappy789

Given a larger tank yes, but this is a tank that is 3 gallons. Not much dilution there.

Also, wpg has no bearing on tank lower than 10 gallons or so, so the OP is correct about that.

I've been keeping plants in hard water for a couple years now. Shouldn't be a problem. Unless your tap water is undrinkable, it should be fine to use just that. Otherwise at least do a tap-RO mix.

I added some sodium bicarbonate to increase kh. I've read that plants can use bicarbonate as a carbon source. Perhaps if the plants can use it they'll gain more of an advantage over the algae.
I don't have this problem in my harder-water tanks so I'm thinking this might be key. I'm also very much considering using flourish excel (as much for it's algae-slaughtering biocide properties as its bioavailable carbon source properties.)

I'm also thinking perhaps the plants have been running out of trace minerals (being in straight RO water and all with only flourish added) and the algae takes over because of that.
So I'm going to mix in a little bit of tapwater (i hate to put too much in because my tapwater has silicates that promote horrid diatoms.)

My logic in all of these theories might be completely faulty.

[jpappy789]

Diatoms should be easy to scrub away, not to mention the oto will relish some.

[jschall]

Originally Posted by jpappy789

Diatoms should be easy to scrub away, not to mention the oto will relish some.

Good point about the oto.

[Winterymix]

If they are available to you, a couple amano shrimp would help a bunch. They do a *wonderful* job at controlling algae in my 10 gallon.