Beautiful algae pics...

The algae will turn all kinds of different colors depending on type. I've had BBA turn bright red....then gray....then gone.
Is it an internal cannister or external? I have taken them apart in the past, set the media(sponges/pads, stars/noodles) aside in a tub of tank water, and once apart, I've taken all the plastic trays and scrubbed them thoroughly, as well as the insides of the cannister. Don't dip anything that you can't let sit in the tub of conditioned water afterward.
Return tubes, spray bars, siphon tubes can be dipped rinsed, and into the tap water conditioned water.
BTW, the picture you posted has the shape of an SAE, but looks much darker than an SAE. Could just be the picture.

Len
 
Okay, it's done....but I need to go get a ton of plants now.....


82104.jpg
 
My understanding with the SAE's and the flying fox is that they are essentially the same fish under different labels. I have seen fish listed as true flying fox, true SAE, and true siamensis all of which were the same fish. In turn I have seen the false siamensis many places as well some identified as such other not. I have been told by meny people that if the line extends to the end of the tail it is a siamensis, and if the line stops short it is a fish for someone else to own. This is just my observations, I haven't found one the right size at the right time for my tanks yet. But have done a lot of research
Dave
 
That's a good start. Looks like Water sprite from here....yes?
I just got done with water changes on two of my tanks.
I've got a few plants that I can send you if you want them. I've got some Salvinia(floaters), some Pennywort(float or plant...your choice), and a great narrow leaf variety of Amazon Sword which grows until it drives you nuts, and eats nutrients like there's no tomorrow.
Picture an E. Tenellus which is a tiny sword plant that goes in the foreground. Now magnify it 10 times and that's what I've got. Bought it small.....labled 'tenellus' and thought that's what it was. It grows to about 16" and spreads like a weed via runners.
If you're interested send me a PM with your address.

Len
 
Okay great! Thanks everyone for your help! The plants I added today are rotala indica, water sprite (wisteria), didiplis diandra, and a small amount of duckweed.

Tap water measurements are as follows: KH - 6 dKH, NO3 - 10 mg/L, PO4 - 1.5 mg/L

So what do I need to do to balance my tapwater before it goes into the tank?

Is it best to keep the stem plants in bunches? Or should I plant the stems individually? Also, I just put them in wherever there was space. I guess aquascaping will come after I get the tank under control.
 
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Plant them in bunches and don't worry about the scaping until you see what grows for you and how, and then you'll have a better idea where to put them.
The Swords I'm sending should go in the back as they will get tall and bushy.

From the numbers you report on N and P, you don't have to dose either at water change, but check at mid week for content and dose if necessary to maintain N= 10mg/l and P= 1.0mg/l. Err on the side of under-dosing if possible. In other words, if these two elements are 1/2 way down at mid week, I would let it ride out the week until water change.
If you weren't getting those numbers out of the tap, I would tell you not to dose anything for 2 weeks, but you have to balance them with
K, so whatever you use(K2SO4 or KCl) dose 1tsp. at water change and no more during the week.
Dose 2tsps. of Mg(magnesium sulfate) at water change. This is in your pharmacy as Epsom Salts. While in the pharmacy, pick up a baby eye dropper with ml. gradations from 1ml. - 5mls.
Dose 2mls. of Flourish or similar trace mix every day. No extra Fe at this time.
These are suggestions based on what I have done under similar conditions with the same sized tanks that you have.
Hope it works out for you.

Len
 
Great link Len! My chinese Algea eater does not eat the long stringy green algea that is showing up in my tank. I just added a PC light and its going hog wild. I hope this is not a bad algea :-(

I think I will try the bleach thing this weekend before it gets out of control.

BTW, What is BBA ?
 
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