90 gallon planted tank algae...

[Blown 346]

I setup my 90 gallon tank about 2 months ago now. Green Algae started to build up slowly on the gravel etc. I kept that under control with the gravel vac. I got plants in the tank and after about 3 or so weeks the leaves are full of green hair algae, some of it almost looks black. Im not sure why. I was told the plants I have are all low light and wont need C02 or Ferts. I got them from a forum member off another forum.

Here is my setup.

90 gallon
Quiet One 5000 return pump
Quiet One 6000 Closed loop ( just for added circulation)
40 gallon sump as my filter with bio balls.
160 watts of 6500 daylight flourescents.

Stock.

Crypt. balansae
Hygro. corymbosa 'angustifolia'
Echinodorus angustifolia 'vesuvius'
E. tennellus 'micro'
Val. nana
Amazon swords

50 Neon tetras
8 cory's
1 Common Pleco

This algae is grwoing on all the plants but the Swords. It is also on the gravel. What can I do to get this off the plants without having to toss them or risk breaking leaves off?
Otherwsie the plants are slowly growing and have great coloration.

I will get a pic tomorrow

 

[mikeb210]

Using a syringe full of excel to squirt the algae will make a dent, but that will most likely melt the vals too. Maybe try scrubbing it off the vals with a tooth brush or something similar and dose the other plants with excel. Green hair algae is almost always a sign of excess nutrients or imbalance somewhere. Are you dosing ferts? What is your photoperiod like? How often are you doing water changes? The bioballs might be a source of nitrates, that has been the case in SW aquariums, not positive though. Test your parameters and let us know

 

[Blown 346]

Using a syringe full of excel to squirt the algae will make a dent, but that will most likely melt the vals too. Maybe try scrubbing it off the vals with a tooth brush or something similar and dose the other plants with excel. Green hair algae is almost always a sign of excess nutrients or imbalance somewhere. Are you dosing ferts? What is your photoperiod like? How often are you doing water changes? The bioballs might be a source of nitrates, that has been the case in SW aquariums, not positive though. Test your parameters and let us know

I am not dosing ferts. The lights are on from 2pm until 2 AM. I do water changes once a week. The last 2 weeks I havent done due to my work schedule. The bio balls are clean, all the junk settles in the bottom of my sump.

 

[FrostyNYC]

Your photoperiod is too long. Shorten it to 8 hours. Like Mikeb210 said, test your nitrates, let us know how high they are. I expect your ammonia and nitrite at both at 0, since this is not a new tank. You made a good plant selection, given your lighting.

If the algae is black and hairy, it's probably BBA (Black beard algae), which is often due to low or unstable CO2 levels. We can better help you once you've posted some pics.

 

[Blown 346]

Here are some pics I just took. Sorry the camera is junk.LOL

I just tested the nitrates, they are at 5PPM. Couldnt the algae be consuming the nitrates faster than the tank can get readings? I dont want to destroy the plants, Could a tooth brush and light scrubbing remove it form the leaves?

 

[67chevelle]

Yes,you could carfully get the algae off the plants.I would reduce the photo period to 7 or 8 hours max. and see what that does for reducing the algae.Your nitrates seem very low,and it does not look like there are enough plants to be taking in all of the nitrates.How often are you doing water changes?For a 90 gallon you seem very lightly stocked,that may have something to do with the low nitrates as well.

 

[timwag2001]

looks like bba to me. dont think you'll be able to get it off. probably gonna have to toss it.

 

[67chevelle]

I have gotten BBA off of plants.Just be careful,it can be done.

 

[Blown 346]

Yes,you could carfully get the algae off the plants.I would reduce the photo period to 7 or 8 hours max. and see what that does for reducing the algae.Your nitrates seem very low,and it does not look like there are enough plants to be taking in all of the nitrates.How often are you doing water changes?For a 90 gallon you seem very lightly stocked,that may have something to do with the low nitrates as well.

I will reduce the light. I will try and remove what I can. I normally do a 25 gallon water change each week. But I have been so busy with work, I kind of let it go for over a month without a water change. Even when I was doing water changes each week the algae was still present.

 

[timwag2001]

i would just play it safe and remove the affected leaves. removing those leaves will spur more new growth. your plants will rebound. it'll just suck for a little while.