This is a followup to my previous thread “Persistant Green Algae Problem” (found here http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23333 )
[I have a 20g long, freshwater planted tank, with mostly annubias and Java fern, 5 white clouds and 5 or 6 Amano shrimp]
About week ago I scrubbed off algae, did a 50% water change, and then blacked out my tank for 4 (or 5, i can't recall) days. On Sunday 4/3/04 I then pulled out any plants with algae on them and did a light bleach dip (1:19 mix) and scrubbed off any remaining algae, washed them thoroughly and returned them to the tank. I followed with a 50% water change, then blacked out the tank for another 48 hours.
That basically brings us up to 2 days ago, 4/6/04 (plz forgive my memory, there's a lot going on right now), and I turned the light back on and have 2 Hagen CO2 system things running. Until today, I couldn't find where I placed my Green Light stump remover, so I only just added it now. I am only dosing what Tom Barr recommended in my previous thread (I’ve quoted Tom below).
My current levels are as follows:
ph = 7.2 (it’s still high….)
kh = 4
NO2 = less than 0.1
I accidentally ordered the wrong test kit, thus I don’t have any NO3 levels yet. The correct kit is on its way…
My 65W compact fluorescent is on for 7 hours a day, and my plants are pearling pretty nicely.
So as of now, the light and CO2 have been going for 2 days, and the green algae is quickly building up on the glass (err acrylic) again. I’ll try and snap a few pics and see if they turn out, and if so, I’ll post them.
I’ve removed the HOB that I had on the tank, have increased the CO2 by adding that second Hagen canister, and have changed my fert mix….I’m really at a loss. I can’t get a plecco, because the last one I had chomped away at my plants with disastrous results. Do Chinese Algae Eaters or Siamese Algae Eaters eat algae off of the glass or do they stick more to plant surfaces, and will they bother my very shy Amano shrimp?
Should I add some more Amanos? They’ve never really done much to control my algal explosions, but then again, I only have 5 or 6 (it’s impossible to count them all at once, with all the hiding places in my tank…)
Another question: I am only using my XP1 canister filter now, and I’m wondering if I need to change the media arrangement inside. I have ½ noodles, ½ stars on the bottom layer, and above that I have the carbon pouch (which is extremely old and probably useless) and the fine white gauze/sponge at the very top. Should I have some sort of media that would control for phosphates, as the Foster&Smith 10 algae busting tips recommends?
Sorry for my lack of knowledge, I really appreciate all of your help.
Thanks everyone
[I have a 20g long, freshwater planted tank, with mostly annubias and Java fern, 5 white clouds and 5 or 6 Amano shrimp]
About week ago I scrubbed off algae, did a 50% water change, and then blacked out my tank for 4 (or 5, i can't recall) days. On Sunday 4/3/04 I then pulled out any plants with algae on them and did a light bleach dip (1:19 mix) and scrubbed off any remaining algae, washed them thoroughly and returned them to the tank. I followed with a 50% water change, then blacked out the tank for another 48 hours.
That basically brings us up to 2 days ago, 4/6/04 (plz forgive my memory, there's a lot going on right now), and I turned the light back on and have 2 Hagen CO2 system things running. Until today, I couldn't find where I placed my Green Light stump remover, so I only just added it now. I am only dosing what Tom Barr recommended in my previous thread (I’ve quoted Tom below).
My current levels are as follows:
ph = 7.2 (it’s still high….)
kh = 4
NO2 = less than 0.1
I accidentally ordered the wrong test kit, thus I don’t have any NO3 levels yet. The correct kit is on its way…
My 65W compact fluorescent is on for 7 hours a day, and my plants are pearling pretty nicely.
So as of now, the light and CO2 have been going for 2 days, and the green algae is quickly building up on the glass (err acrylic) again. I’ll try and snap a few pics and see if they turn out, and if so, I’ll post them.
I’ve removed the HOB that I had on the tank, have increased the CO2 by adding that second Hagen canister, and have changed my fert mix….I’m really at a loss. I can’t get a plecco, because the last one I had chomped away at my plants with disastrous results. Do Chinese Algae Eaters or Siamese Algae Eaters eat algae off of the glass or do they stick more to plant surfaces, and will they bother my very shy Amano shrimp?
Should I add some more Amanos? They’ve never really done much to control my algal explosions, but then again, I only have 5 or 6 (it’s impossible to count them all at once, with all the hiding places in my tank…)
Another question: I am only using my XP1 canister filter now, and I’m wondering if I need to change the media arrangement inside. I have ½ noodles, ½ stars on the bottom layer, and above that I have the carbon pouch (which is extremely old and probably useless) and the fine white gauze/sponge at the very top. Should I have some sort of media that would control for phosphates, as the Foster&Smith 10 algae busting tips recommends?
Sorry for my lack of knowledge, I really appreciate all of your help.
Thanks everyone
Most of your plants are pretty slow growing, except the val, but one val does not a forest make!