Algae covering all my plants!?

[Mookka]

Hey,

I recently picked up 2 plants at the lfs 1 Amazon Sword, and 1 cabomba(not sure about specific species). I also a have some java moss floating around in there. So my 55 gallon planted was doing good my plants have even grown a bunch. Of late this green algae has covered EVERYTHING! I it suffocating my sword and covers my gravel. SOMEBODY HELP ME GET RID OF THIS STUFF. The only thing i can think that it could be is that i did not plant heavily. :help:

 

[Kissofthegorami]

Water changes? Feed less fertilizer? co2? What kind of algae is it? Otos, ammano shrimp, TRUE siamese algae eaters...
Fighting algae by adding more plants is to let the plants out compete the algae for nutrients. If you fertilize already, you may want to lessen the quantity.

 

[hawkeye01]

check your phosphates. I had the same problem. I have a lot of phosphates in the water here. But oddly enought they didnt show up when I tested the tap water. I did a 75% water change with R/O water and the algae started to disapear. So how I have to use R/O water.

 

[mrakins]

Adding CO2 or Fluorish Excel will help the plants outcompete the algae. IME, platies, cherry barbs, and snails (ponds and ramshorns) will help eat the existing algae in addition to those mentioned above. Also, as mentioned above, algae means there's a nutrient imbalance which you'll have to fix.