Need ideas for algae control in planted tank.

koipoloi

koipoloi

Something fishy here.
Sep 17, 2009
207
0
16
Missouri
Real Name
Alex
Hello planted tank gurus I need advice on what to do to control an algae outbreak on my 29 gal planted tank.
It is 29gallon with several plants including java moss, 2 swords, 1 crypt lucens, 1 anubias a couple clumps of java fern and most recently 2 pygmy chain swords. Parameters i test for are pH 7.4, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrates 10-20. I dose with 1-2 mls excel daily (occasionally I do forget but not often) 2 mls flourish after weekly water change. Water changes are usually about 40%. It has a somewhat heavy stocking of 6 Danios, 6 Platies, 5 peppered cories, and 5 Cherry barbs. All fish seem to be healthy and happy. Many of my plants though are being outcompeted by algae. I have quite a bit of bba on one of the swords and the anubias. Some green spot also on the anubias and some green algae plus more bba on the gravel. When I set this tank up last December I wasn't sure if I was going to try plants so I used gravel for the substrate. I think that was a mistake now but thought I could compensate with the flourish. Lighting is on the low side about 0.6 wpg. I really dont want to go high light so I tried to pick plants that would be ok in low light. What would be the best solution to knocking back the algae? Go diy or pressurised co2? Add macro ferts? Change my dosing of flourish and excel? I just added the pigmy swords this week, would adding more plants tip the scales against the algae? A picture may help so I willl attach one.

driftwoodb.jpg
 
It sounds like not enough light with too much ferts. Diy co2 could help... what are your lights? That sounds like uber low light...
 
I agree, you don't need to be dosing ferts so often. You really only need to dose ferts if you are seeing active growth. I don't think you need CO2 until you upgrade your light. Probably changing over your hood to accomodate screw in CFLs would be the best route, it's what I did (actually my handy friend did it - I might have been able to do it, but it would make me nervous tinkering with it ;))

Unfortunately you can't really grow much of anything with the stock single fluorescent tube on your tall tank. I have low light on my 29 gallon, I'm using two 14 watt screw in compact fluorescents. With tanks where the light penetration is going to be poor, like in a 29 gallon tall, you really can't rely on the stock light to grow anything but Java moss and some floaters, I'm sorry to say - unless you are getting some additional light from a window or something.
 
I agree the lighting is low. Thanks for the input and forgive me if I appear contrarian but wouldn't more lighting increase the algae problem rather than correct it? That is what i see as the short term problem. Also regarding the cfl's I understand they would be cheaper to implement than other technology but how about over the long period? Are they as energy efficient as the the other types of lighting? Can anyone suggest a non DIY light that would work good on the tank. Thanks.
 
Cuting way back on ferts and should help your plants compete with the algae for food. You don't have to get stronger lights, but the light you have, with less ferts, may not be enough for the plants you have. The swords are what I'm thinking may have a hard time - but perhaps the addition of root tabs (with much less water column ferts) should keep them going... And your crypts will like those, too.
 
2mls of flourish after a weekly water change isn't a lot of ferts (its mainly a source of micronutrients). Excel is a carbon source (like liquid CO2) it isn't ferts. I would increase the daily Excel dosing. Root tabs would help the swords/crypts.
 
moi-eater said:
2mls of flourish after a weekly water change isn't a lot of ferts (its mainly a source of micronutrients). Excel is a carbon source (like liquid CO2) it isn't ferts. I would increase the daily Excel dosing. Root tabs would help the swords/crypts.
Click to expand...

I would agree with this if there were more light in the aquarium.

Root tabs would help the swords and the crypts, but you wont need to use them very often at all.

best course of action for your lighting level is cut back the liquid ferts. If you are looking for plants that will out compete the algae, I've had great success with wisteria in low lighting, and as it grows it will remove ferts and nitrates directly from the water column
 
I have 2 double lights on my 29, it gives me 80 watts over 29 gals, I dose the complete seachem line including root tabs for my crypts, and swords and lotus. The light over hangs the front of the tank by about 1/2". I have good growth and managable algae sometimes on the glass. ottos, and snails keep it in check.
 
cut the fert dont need it with those plants,,, i dont use ferts at all have had planted tanks for yrs... my plants do fine,, now i do have high light though,, cut the algea food ferts,, and i think your fine,, weekly magnet scrubs and your good
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom