Does lack of CO2 cause algae??

F

flipsta

AC Members
Mar 27, 2010
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Hello Y'all

I have a 25gal planted tank that has just finished cycling.

I noticed that I am getting algae growth on the front of my tank (where the lights are). Is this due to a lack of CO2? I will be adding a CO2 setup for my plants soon.

If this is not the case, what can cause algae growth.

I have a 3gal planted tank that used to grow algae but I havent seen any in a long time.

Thanks. :)
 
Algae growth is usually from having a long photoperiod, which is the amount of time that the lights are on during the day.

Adding CO2 to a high light aquarium helps the plants to grow, thus outcompeting algae for nutrients, therefore keeping algae in check.
 
what kind of algae? New tanks tend to grow brown diatoms for a while. if that is it just leave it like that.

lack of co2 cause algae? No, but kind of yes. For now we will stick with no.

Please give more information about your tank:
Size
filtration
fertilizer
co2
substrate
light type
light wattage
spectrum (K rating)
 
Sometimes in low tech tanks you can get a BBA outbreak when you get a huge influx of CO2 say from a water change since BBA loves CO2 fluctuations.

BUT as coach implied it's not exactly a common situation for low CO2 alone to cause algae, especially with so many other factors.

Depending on the type of algae you may need to make some adjustments or none at all. More info about the tank would help ;)
 
thanks... here is some more info on my tank.

25gallon tank
eclipse 2 lid (lighting and filter/biowheel) - 2x 15wat 18" bulbs
no CO2 yet - but setup is 1 hagen canister setup
Petsmart Substrate
seachem fluorite tablets
API leaf grower

hope this helps you help me... thanks!! :)
 
i only noticed it this morning... very qwickly as i ran out the door; it looks green.

the tank just finished cycling after 4 weeks. i used some media from another tank to help cycle the tank... with fish in.

:)
 
If you know the type of algae, that would help (pics maybe). Are they green spots or fuzzy?

Another thing that stands out is the lighting and ferts. Doesn't sound to me like you have enough light to help the plants out compete for all the nutrients that are in the water.
 
i'm going to go against the grain a bit here and say that lack of co2 COULD cause algae. however lack of co2 would be caused by more light than the tank demands/co2 can keep up with, stagnant water, low flow, etc.

less light and more flow, surface movement, etc. should solve that issue... so lack of co2 is really a symptom of a bigger problem... unless you're attempting to grow "high light" plants in a low tech setup.

keep in mind, as far as i know this has nothing to do with your current issue... just for sake of discussion.

the reason i say it could cause algae is because in general if your plants aren't healthy and growing but you're putting the light necessary to grow them into the tank algae is going to use it. if your plants aren't getting any co2 they'll surely not be healthy...
 
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