Struggling with algae problems in 1 month old tank.
- Thread starter zachjohnson65
- Start date
no the tank does not have CO2 that was why i was adding excel for the carbon. I just reset the timer and i will stop dosing. I will try to also find some suitable plants to try and choke out.
you have a new tank it's VERY common to have algae bursts before the tank has found it's natural balance.
The most effective action you can take is frequent large water changes. 50% 2 times a week for a couple weeks will do wonders. once algae slows down scale back to once a week.
with plants it does take some tweeking with photo period, ferts, Co2. The best thing you can do is not change more than 1 variable at a time.
The more plants the better, then add Co2, then add ferts, wait a week between each addition so you have a feel for what they do to your balance.
good luck-K
The most effective action you can take is frequent large water changes. 50% 2 times a week for a couple weeks will do wonders. once algae slows down scale back to once a week.
with plants it does take some tweeking with photo period, ferts, Co2. The best thing you can do is not change more than 1 variable at a time.
The more plants the better, then add Co2, then add ferts, wait a week between each addition so you have a feel for what they do to your balance.
good luck-K
oop, just noticed u're dosing excel; no Co2- your tank is too big to get by on just excel- look into DIY you'll save yourself a lot of pain and suffering 
You simply need more plants and do a larger weekly water change. Sterilize as much as you can, cram the tank with as much plants as you can, and do a 40-50% weekly water change.
Your light is low enough where CO2 isn't necessary, though it would help, but a DIY setup for a 55g tank isn't going to be very effective.
Your light is low enough where CO2 isn't necessary, though it would help, but a DIY setup for a 55g tank isn't going to be very effective.
I have a friend w/ a 55g- he has 6 liter bottles all piped together- it's working for him- no doubt it's a lot more work than pressurized, but it's a lot cheaper too!
hmm lots of conflicting advice lol. I would say that chances are that your phosphates are too high, some fast growing plants can help that, or i use clearwater bags for phosphates in my canister on the community tank. heres a link with more details about you algaes, http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_freshwater_algae.php low light plants seem to be hard to come by round here. So i have been looking on ebay think i will have to get some in from malaysia lol.
thanks for the ideas. i believe i will try to find some nutrient loving stem plants and continue with my bleaching as needed. In a week i have noticed a slow in the spread with just reducing light to 8 hours.
