moboe - that doesn't appear to be the "hedge" I was referring to. I think it's a Hygrophila species although I'm not positive. I think adding some more stem plants, and working on light levels/CO2/nutrients will help. You could add some otos if you'd like, but they only eat certain types of algae (they prefer diatoms) and will need to be fed once the algae is gone.
Green Algae gone wild...ready to do away with plants...
- Thread starter moboe
- Start date
Thanks Aqualung for checking out the photos. Is the plant I have considered a stem plant? I'll look into the rotala indica.
I'm going to try to change water more frequently, and add Seachem Flourish Excel when I get it. Crossing my fingers...Thanks tons!
Moboe
I'm going to try to change water more frequently, and add Seachem Flourish Excel when I get it. Crossing my fingers...Thanks tons!
Moboe
tricksterpup
It's SPRING!!! BUNNIE RABBITS
hey Moboe,moboe said:
Your tank could use a few more plants, a few plants I would recommend would be some java fern. If you go to a knowledgable LFS they could hook you up with some low light plants.
Another Item I recommend is the HAGEN c02 system. It is premade system that works well for small tanks.
As for curbing your Alage, make sure, you are not near any windows, cause that will help the alage blooms. But to get some eaters of Alage, I recommend Amano Shrimp. these guys are better than the small delicate ottos. As for your betta, he will be curious but will leave them alone after awhile.
Hi Tricksterpup,
Thanks for the help. Do you think the CO2 system is a better idea than adding Seachem Flourish Excel?
Thanks for the plant suggestions. I'll check out Java fern, too. I was actually getting concerned that my tank was getting overrun by plants, so I'm glad to know that there is room for more.
I'll ask about low light plants, too. Thanks for the amano shrimp tip, too. Will I need to feed them once the algae is gone? If so, what do they eat?
Thanks a lot for the help!
Moboe
Thanks for the help. Do you think the CO2 system is a better idea than adding Seachem Flourish Excel?
Thanks for the plant suggestions. I'll check out Java fern, too. I was actually getting concerned that my tank was getting overrun by plants, so I'm glad to know that there is room for more.
I'll ask about low light plants, too. Thanks for the amano shrimp tip, too. Will I need to feed them once the algae is gone? If so, what do they eat?
Thanks a lot for the help!
Moboe
ok, I have been having some algae problems too, and found this forum, so far so good as far as understanding it, my algae is brownish in color, I am assuming this still applies, ottos still eat this, I also thought of getting plants. Is there a happy medion when you have just enough plants where you don't need to add CO2? How do you know when you have soo many plants that you need to add CO2
tricksterpup
It's SPRING!!! BUNNIE RABBITS
I personally have never used Seachem Flourish Excel but have used the hagan system on all of my smaller tanks. I recommend this if you do not want to build your own from a coke bottle. But these are guarenteed not to explode on you. So I kinda prefer these in the long run.moboe said:
As for plants over running your tank. you should see the amano books.. they are fantastic. Vast little tropical aquatic jungles is the best way to describe them. If your plants are to thick to your liking just trim them. I prefer a dense tank. Alot of the fish I raise prefer the fuller tanks.
As for the Amano shrimp, these guys are fantastic and I love having them. They will eat what ever you feed your fish, sometimes I will add the extra bottom feeder wafers to the tank for them. But normally they are fine.
Yeah, sounds like you got Diatoms. This form of alage should eventually fade away as your tank grows older, it always appears in new tanks. Just do frequent water changes and just scrape away. Yes, the best alage eater in my opinion that is not the Amano shrimp is the hand scraper. Also adding more plants will curb the alage issue as well. I personally prefer to add C02 to my tank, it helps in the plant growth and that is never a bad thing. You can do a C02 coke bottle method or try purchasing the system I recommended. They can be found at Petsmart and I also think Petco, or ask your local fish store to order it if they do not have it. Its just a simple mixture of sugar, water and yeast. Hagan gives out a Stablizer for its system, I think its just baking powder.
Thanks again, tricksterpup. I really appreciate the help.
I've been checking out photos of rotala indica on the web, and I "think" that might be the plant I have that I've been calling hedge? I don't know if you can tell well enough from my photos a couple of posts up, but it started with round leaves, and now has oblong leaves. And, in my 20g tank, many of the leaves are pink! The fact that they aren't pink in my 6g tank might mean that I'm not getting enough light? I certainly have enough algae, though! If I raise the light, I raise the algae, too? I think it is time to add CO2. Maybe doing that will negate any negative effects adding more light will cause?
Moboe
I've been checking out photos of rotala indica on the web, and I "think" that might be the plant I have that I've been calling hedge? I don't know if you can tell well enough from my photos a couple of posts up, but it started with round leaves, and now has oblong leaves. And, in my 20g tank, many of the leaves are pink! The fact that they aren't pink in my 6g tank might mean that I'm not getting enough light? I certainly have enough algae, though! If I raise the light, I raise the algae, too? I think it is time to add CO2. Maybe doing that will negate any negative effects adding more light will cause?
Moboe
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Your description matches Rotala indica (aka Rotala rotundifolia) perfectly. It's often grown as a bog plant by the companies that sell it, so when you get it it has small, rounded leaves. Its submerged growth is longer and thinner, and it turns pink/peach in bright light. Here are some little pictures of my Rotala, hopefully you can see the shape and colour 
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tricksterpup
It's SPRING!!! BUNNIE RABBITS
Is this tank an Eclipse style tank? I find these tanks to be almost alage farms. They are a lot of work. I am not sure if its because it needs more circulation or what? I would do more water changes, using RO water. IF you have a 5 gallon container/water bottle. Just to go to your local grocery store and pick up some water, about 30+ cents a gallon. Or maybe your local fish store may even have that. Alot of stores that sell reef supplies tend to sell RO water. This water is void of nutrients and that well help keep your plants and water alage free. I am actually thinking on turning my 6 gal eclipse into a Scud farm. I think they are perfect for that.moboe said:
I actually do better with just plain 5 gallon tanks. They tend to be easier to clean and maintain.
My tank is a 6g Eclipse. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem...but sorry to hear it, too! I can add an air stone to add more circulation to the water. Do you think this would help with the algae?
What is RO water? Can I create it at home? Is RO short for something, like LFS? I like the idea of cutting down on the nutrients in the water...makes sense.
Thanks again for all the help.
Moboe
What is RO water? Can I create it at home? Is RO short for something, like LFS? I like the idea of cutting down on the nutrients in the water...makes sense.
Thanks again for all the help.
Moboe
