Another NooB who can grow algae needs Help please.

K

Ketso

Cityfied Redneck
Jan 26, 2007
347
0
16
Peebles, Ohio
I have a 55g planted tank that I started putting plants in about two weeks ago. Apparently, it is going to take some time to get the dossing down pat. I noticed today that there is algae starting to take over. The hair like algae is all over one of my rocks and brown looking algae is growing on my heater and on the plants. This all seemed to start appearing the day after I dosed my ferts (Monday).

I am currently running 128w 6500k for 10 hours a day and DIY Co2. However, the lighting, due to the lack of a decent reflector, is probably more like 100w.

OK, here are the test stats for my tank. All test kits are API.
  • pH = 7.2
  • kH = 89ppm
  • gH = 179ppm
  • Nitr-A-te = 15ppm
  • Nitr-I-te = 0.50ppm <-- Seems odd to me
  • Amonia = 0.5ppm <-- Seems odd to me
  • Phosphates = 2.0ppm (tap and tank)
  • Co2 = 9ppm (used Chucks Planted Aquarium calculator)
  • Water Temp = 78F
Is interesting though that I have amonia and nitrites in the tank without ever adding anything. Is this normal? Regardless, I am open to suggestions on an attack plan for this tank. I really dont "need" to have a sparkling clear tank, but at the rate it's going, this thing will be completely overrun in a week.

Any and all help is welcomed!
DeMonZ
 
Hmmm .... I guess this is the first time this has ever happened.

I'll let you all know how it turns out so >>IF<< in the unlikely event it occurs to someone else, they'll know how to handle it.

Thanks!
 
With that much lighting I'd cut back to 8 hours myself. If its at all possible I'd also try to get that co2 up closer to 15ppm. Assuming your aquarium is fairly well planted it is all about finding the right balance of ferts and light. Having 2 ppm phosphate in your tap water probably isn't helping maters either. Also with that much lighting you should have an abundance of faster growing stem plants imho.
 
I believe part of the equation is 2:1 nitrates to phosphates..if this is the case part of your imbalance is here. at 2 ppm phosphates and 15 nitrates you are slim on the ratio. the other part inlcudes potassium(these make up your macro nutrients.
iron magnesium etc are the micro nutrients.
your lighting is just over 2 wpg(2.370 and is not a high lighted tank)How are you diffusing the CO2..this may be one way t0 increase the utilization of the CO2 your reactor produces.(I do agree you could use a bit more CO2 and try reducing the exposure of light)''on the hair algae I usually remove the offending plant parts.

is this tank fairly new? brown algae is usually diatom algae and could be a result of silicates and or phosphate imbalance(silicate in new glass tanks will go down over time)
sometimes you can wipe out algae with blackouts.
 
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