Not enough Algae

[timwag2001]

try to reduce water flow. get some stagnent water in there

 

[Riiz]

Just leave the light on 24/7, that should help without adding anything.

 

[Dr. Awkward]

If you have another tank where you feed bloodworms or some other frozen food save the water you use to thaw the worms and dump it in the algae-free tank. There are lots of nutrients in worm water that promote algae. I do the opposite in my problem tank and it's helped a lot to prevent algae so it's got to work the other way.

 

[red_wall]

Are there any fish in this tank?

Put regular fertilizer in the tank.

You'll be sorry you did. Or not, depending on how much you wanted.

 

[SMinNC]

Looking to feed my shrimp, nerites, ottos, and Panda's.



I may try phosphate as well.

It sounds like you have a good balance going on. Except for feeding the fish "naturally" or free, however your looking at it.

If you try doing uhh... stuff, to make algae grow. Your taking a chance on getting every kind of algae, but, the kind you want.

I think it'll be cheaper to buy food for the inhabitants. Than buying ferts and trying to screw up the tank, so you grow algae.

Besides the usual tests. The only thing I've found more "plant specific" is a test for phosphate and iron.
You could see if one of those are low. And maybe bump it up to cause algae to grow?
But like I already said. That could end up with all the wrong results.

My best advice, would be to feed the critters. And do weekly water changes to help keep the critters healthy.
Opposed to throwing ferts at it, hoping to grow algae that they'll eat.