Tired-- Ready to Nuke tank!!!

tanker

tanker

Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
Sep 1, 2003
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Jessica
My 100gal FW is over 20years old.

I have not had algae since I redid tank 5-6 years ago (CO2, and PC lights, gravel additive, ect). In January of this year I (for many reasons) did not get CO2 to tank after CO2 tank ran out. Got this Lime-green algae (like green fur). Since then I have not been able to get rid of it. :mad:

I have LOTS of plants (swords--4 kinds, M. Indica, Hygro, 2 kinds of Ludwidgia, lots of dwarf sag, ect).

Did more and massive water changes--no help.

It's been 3 months!!! My tank looks a "Green Elmo" is shedding!!

Ready to get a good algaecide and start all over!!!

I have so many plants I read no Phosphate and Nitrate, but algae is still growing!!!

HELP?!?!?!?!
 
How many hours a day do you have the lights on in the tank?
 
tanker said:
My 100gal FW is over 20years old.

I have not had algae since I redid tank 5-6 years ago (CO2, and PC lights, gravel additive, ect). In January of this year I (for many reasons) did not get CO2 to tank after CO2 tank ran out. Got this Lime-green algae (like green fur). Since then I have not been able to get rid of it. :mad:

I have LOTS of plants (swords--4 kinds, M. Indica, Hygro, 2 kinds of Ludwidgia, lots of dwarf sag, ect).

Did more and massive water changes--no help.

It's been 3 months!!! My tank looks a "Green Elmo" is shedding!!

Ready to get a good algaecide and start all over!!!

I have so many plants I read no Phosphate and Nitrate, but algae is still growing!!!

HELP?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...

That could be the reason right there. By not keeping nitrates between 5-15 ppm, and Phosphates between .5-1ppm, you could be asking for touble, which it seems you are...
 
I agree with Mooch, it could very well be fert related - along with traces, plants need macronutrients in sufficient quantities. Keeping your NPK ratio around 10:1:20 should allow the plants to outcompete the algae. Keep the CO2 around 25-30ppm as well, it will really help.
You might also want to consider some fish or shrimp that will consume the algae - otos are fantastic when it comes to soft green algaes and diatoms, a bristlenose will also show the 'elmo fur' who's boss ;)
 
Maj0rFiSh said:
How many hours a day do you have the lights on in the tank?
Click to expand...

11 Hours total. 6 hours on then one hour off. 5 hours on then off for night.
 
Mooch28 said:
That could be the reason right there. By not keeping nitrates between 5-15 ppm, and Phosphates between .5-1ppm, you could be asking for touble, which it seems you are...
Click to expand...

May try this (maybe after black-out try). But my tank has been running for over 5 years without algae. Had low nitrates (about 5ppm) and low phosphate ( less then .5ppm) before. When CO2 was out for over 2 weeks that I got this algae.
 
Harlock said:
Along with Mooch's good point I'd like to ask if you've tried a blackout, perchance?
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Explain to me the black-out thing.

PS-- I have over 20 ottos of about 3 different kinds. 10 tiger stripped ones I love and a giant-kind (about 3 inch long). Have no other kind of algae just this fuzzy kind. Not hair algae, just short and lime green in color. :(
 
It's been 3 months!!! My tank looks a "Green Elmo" is shedding!!


LOL :) Tooo funny! I wish I could help. Have you given a though to the barley mat's or barley balls like pondkeepers use for algae control?

Ottos are useless on this kind of algae, I think they only like soft mushy stuff before it turns to fuzz or hair. I'm wondering if peckolita vitatta would help. Mine is amazing and seems to even chow down on the furry algae as I had on my driftwood and he cleaned that up within a few days.
 
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Hmm, I'm amazed your otos aren't eating it - must not taste good ;)
Blackouts can be really effective. AFAIK, this should do the trick:
Do a water change, then turn off the lights and completely cover the tank with towels, black garbage bags; anything that will block all the light. Cover the top as well if it's glass and light from the room can enter. Leave everything alone - no peeking, no feeding, no nothing for three to five days. Then uncover the tank and do a large water change (the dead algae can cause an ammonia spike). Pretty sure that's all there is to it :)
 
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