Hey reiverix, thanks for the help.
Some other things I didn't mention before is that I use two 50g filters in my 46g, including an undergravel filter with a powerhead (not air bubbles). One of the filters is an Aquaclear, and the other a marineland BioWheel filter.
Most of the algae is growing on the back of the tank. I keep some java ferns in the back and some in the front, the ones in the back are covered in this black algae. Should I remove all of the java ferns? Or just try to pull off all the algae from the leaves?
Also, this might seem strange, but let me explain my setup. I think I might be in a bit of trouble. What happens is that half of my tank is completely planted, the other half is covered in these big flat rocks that I have stacked to make all sorts of cool tunnels and mazes, and some driftwood as well. This leaves that half of the tank with plenty of swimming room for my little ones. Basically, my point is, is that I really have no way of vacuuming my substrate. When I do water changes, I use a python no spill vacuum, but I have been getting annoyed with it because the sucking tube is so wide and thick, which barely allows me to get in between the plants. The plants have now also developed some amazing roots! So yanking them out is hardly an option (at least not preferred). Luckily, most of the fish waste remains on the leaves and the rocks, so when I vacuum I usually get a lot of stuff out by just running the tube as much as possible through the leaves and shaking them up. I know this doesn't get everything, but it gets a lot out. Also, I have little 5g bubble wands attached at different areas which I have been using only as a cleaning tool. Before I vacuum I turn them all on at full blast, and it makes a lot of the junk surface for the filters to catch and me with the python. I also turn on the powerhead at full blast to suck out whatever might be in the undergravel filter, which is usually snails.
Anyhow, I will try using this little gravel vacuum I used to use for my ten gallon tank once upon a time. I so wish they made connectors for the python that allows for thinner tubes of some kind. That would be nice. I'll also do a 50% water change and try to clear out as much of the algae as possible.
Honestly, I have not been using Excel to its recommended dosage. I only had the Flourish and Trace twice a week as it is recommended on the bottles, and that's usually when I add the excel. I think the bottle says I'm supposed to add it everyday or every other day, but I figured since I've got DIY CO2, I didn't need as much of it. Am I wrong in this assumption? Should I start using it as recommended?
Should I discontinue Trace? And do you know anything about PlantGro Iron Enriched, or how much of that stuff I should be putting the in the tank and how often? The instructions state 1 capful/10g, but they don't state how often!!! Do I even need this stuff?
I don't know what NO3, PO4, and K is. I just ran tests on my water, and the PH is at 7.2.
Also I have been using TWO DIY CO2 2L bottles at the same time.
If my GH is at 7, does that mean I have plenty of calcium in my water? I have been throwing in egg shells for the snails. Don't really know why... just heard it's good for them so I figured why not. I don't do it very often, usually once every two or three weeks, and not even a full shell then.
Also, I have been using Florida Crushed Coral (which also has aragonite in it, according to the bag). I have soft tap water with a KH of 2. With the DIY CO2 my PH was at 6.4. Now my KH is at 4 and PH has been staying within 7-7.2.
Also, as I said, I'm noticing another kind of algae. Little green circles on the leaves, and I'm starting to see a few little green dots on the back glass of the tank. Also, on a piece of driftwood.
I'm obviously doing something terribly wrong to have all this algae. How bad does algae hurt my plants anyway? Oh, and I just noticed several leaves on my dwarf sagittaria completely covered in black algae, I think it's a baby form of the other one above, cuz I see a little branch stemming from one of them.
Grrrr...
Anyway, thank you so much for the help (I know you've helped me out before in the past). If it's too time consuming to help any further, it's understandable. I don't mind a link perhaps to some good reading.
Thanks again!
Fernando
