help with algae!!! (long one with Pict's)

[ops959]

I'm a novice too but my 2 inputs:

1) choose a plant growing substrate such as Eco-complete or Flourite

(the next time - or replace the gravel - although the plants will grow either way, this will provide more nutrients for a fully planted tank (and help your plants grow faster to outcompete the algae)

2) do aggressive 50% water changes with RO/DI H2O

(this water contains nearly no algae growing trace elements - you can now use the suppliments to add the nutrients that the plants need to grow and regulate the amounts contained within the aquarium water)

3) more aggressively clean your tank weekly

4) yes, the surface plants will cut your algae (like mine) by I'll venture 70%

*disclaimer - yes, I'm still struggling but have learned from these forums a great deal - going to kick up the CO2 and do more water changes

 

[hmt321]

I'm a novice too but my 2 inputs:

1) choose a plant growing substrate such as Eco-complete or Flourite

(the next time - or replace the gravel - although the plants will grow either way, this will provide more nutrients for a fully planted tank (and help your plants grow faster to outcompete the algae)

2) do aggressive 50% water changes with RO/DI H2O

(this water contains nearly no algae growing trace elements - you can now use the suppliments to add the nutrients that the plants need to grow and regulate the amounts contained within the aquarium water)

3) more aggressively clean your tank weekly
4) yes, the surface plants will cut your algae (like mine) by I'll venture 70%

*disclaimer - yes, I'm still struggling but have learned from these forums a great deal - going to kick up the CO2 and do more water changes

I have about 1.5" of florite under roughly 1" of gravel

my water changes and gravel washes are fairly aggressive, i try and vac the whole bottom (there is never any fish food left over, just poo) I change 30% or so at a time (i will be doing 50% to keep from having nutrient build up) I usually gravel vac the tank and use the inc water to kick up any thing else into the water column, then i run my DE filter for about 3-4 hours, the substrate is very clean looking and the water gets very clear.

I have some surface plants now

my Otto's and snails, seem to be getting ahead of the algae, they were eating it before very well (they were always grazing) but the stuff grew so fast that they could not keep up.

some of the plants already seem to have new growth, and I would say that they all have "perked" up a tad, the algae growth is not so bad, I think i will get more duckweed and water lettuce (i can get them 4 free) i can always pull it out later.

thanks again