try a bristle-nose pleco for algae control?

I would cut the lights off completely for a week or so. I had green scum algae out the wazoo in my 75g tank. I figured out that the problem was I was not dosing any ferts at all and my co2 wasn't turned up high enough.

In order to get rid of the green scum in the first place I turned off the lights for a week and left the tank blacked out. It worked for me.
 
I'm a bit confused now. I was under the impression that it's undesirable to have any measurable ammonia, phosphate, nitrate, or nitrite in the water (i.e., 0 ppm). I assume that the plants are taking up much of the nutrients in the fertilizers, and the excess is fueling the algae. Is this correct, or am I off base? What parameters should I be aiming for? Thanks!
Flory
 
Flory said:
I'm a bit confused now. I was under the impression that it's undesirable to have any measurable ammonia, phosphate, nitrate, or nitrite in the water (i.e., 0 ppm). I assume that the plants are taking up much of the nutrients in the fertilizers, and the excess is fueling the algae. Is this correct, or am I off base? What parameters should I be aiming for? Thanks!
Flory
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You want nitrates. And some phosphates in the tank if planted.

0 ammonia and nitrite

under 40 ppm nitrate but under 20 is a good spot to be shooting for
 
In that case, I'm right on target. What is the maximum desirable phosphate level? I have one Anubias, one melon sword, and four Java ferns, so it's not a heavily planted tank. Thanks!
 
HI I SEE WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION HERE AS I STRONGLY RECOMMEND A ALGAE EATER WHICH IS THE BRISTLENOSE PLECO WHICH AT ADULTHOOD ONLY REACHES TO BE 4 TO 5 INCHES, I HAVE THREE IN A 55 GAL. TANK AND THEY KEEP IT COMPLETELY FREE OF ALGAE, ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THAT ARE A POOP MACHINE..
 
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