What Snails?

I'd also look into that algae stuff you used - if there's copper in it, you're probably not going to be able to add any inverts.

I'd just do the lights for one continuous period instead of spllitting it. You may need to back down from 10h a tad. Also - if it's green water, this is normal for new tanks and a 3 day blackout will help. If you have a canister, putting a linen cloth (old, well worn handkercheif, diaper scrap or dish rag) on top of the media stack will help trap the stuff (you'll have to rinse it daily and remember to leave it out in the long run or it will decompose).

Having a really fast growing plant (Wisteria, Hygro... something like that) in there until the other stuff grows out some is also a good idea.

I have not put in algaefix in about three days, and I will be changing the water tonight. I will turn the lighting back to about 8 hrs. but I give it a break so we can enjoy the tank some at night while we are home. The tank has been set up for over 9months.
 
Well you tank is a bit over stocked, Bala sharks can grow up to 16in so they will eventually be to big for that tank. Clown loaches get huge, over a foot, and are also schooling fish that like swimming room. Cory's are a schooling fish and do well with 5 or 6 of their own kind. Hatchets are best kept in schools of 6 or more as well and will be much happier that way. I would suggest getting rid of the balas and the clown loach and adding some hatchets and cories.

Over stocking will produce more ammonia which will eventually get used as food by plants. Since you are also dosing with ferts and CO2 you are probably over feeding the plants in there and causing the algae by excess nutrients. 10 hours of lights is probably a little too much, I would cut back on the hours as well. I think that you will continue to have algae until you fix the overstocking problem.
 
Well you tank is a bit over stocked, Bala sharks can grow up to 16in so they will eventually be to big for that tank. Clown loaches get huge, over a foot, and are also schooling fish that like swimming room. Cory's are a schooling fish and do well with 5 or 6 of their own kind. Hatchets are best kept in schools of 6 or more as well and will be much happier that way. I would suggest getting rid of the balas and the clown loach and adding some hatchets and cories.

Over stocking will produce more ammonia which will eventually get used as food by plants. Since you are also dosing with ferts and CO2 you are probably over feeding the plants in there and causing the algae by excess nutrients. 10 hours of lights is probably a little too much, I would cut back on the hours as well. I think that you will continue to have algae until you fix the overstocking problem.
I know the balas will get big but the are only about 3in for now, I have to wait to get a bigger tank. I don't have any clown loaches, had more hatchets and they keep jumping out of the tank while I am cleaning and I dont see them until it is too late. I have been told that the CO2 will help keep the algae down. I will be moving some of the angels once I get a breeding pair so I will not be over stocked at that point. But thanks for the feedback.
 
Im sorry I mis read your post, you have a clown pleco not a clown loach, my mistake. The CO2 will help the other plants grow and keep the algae down. you may want to add some fast growing plants, or have a black out to get rid of the algae.
 
Ok the tank has been in black out for almost two days now, so I think I am going to either get a few more corys to give us a small school or some more hatchets. If the wife doesn't want any more of those I might be able to convince her into some snails anyway, I was thinking about some mystery snails. do you all think they will be ok in that tank.
 
AquariaCentral.com