Hello all, just joined and decided to jump right in to seek some feedback on some red fuzz type algae that is on the leaves of my plants. I set up my tank this past September so it's pretty well seasoned. The tank is what I would consider moderately planted. I have struggled getting the right mix of light & ferts so the plants have always had some algae on them. I thought I was making good headway but now I'm not so sure. Here are the specifics:
Tank:
29 gallon with a Sachem Tidal75 HOB filter and a Fluval 3.0 Planted LED light(32 watt). The current light settings are as follows: 70% red, 3% blue, 25% cold white, 70% pure white and 70% warm white. I run the light 8hrs./day with a 1 hr. ramp up and ramp down and 6 hrs. stretch in between. I also inject CO2. I start the injection 2 hrs. before ramp up. When I test the PH just before the lights start to come up I get a 1ppm drop with a 4KH. according to the CO2 chart that equates to 30% saturation rate. There are 2 circulation pumps (1@ 425gph and 1 @ 565gph) to help with circulation.
Water Parameters: I use tap water with Prime ,when tested there is no significant amount of Nitrate, Phosphate or iron in the tap water. I test the tank water 3 times a week. I do a 50% water change every week. I use Sachem Flourish ferts, the nutrient specific type not the all -in one. I also dose Trace (micro nutrients )as well using Seachems dosing chart for all ferts. Water temp. in tank is 72 degrees F.
Nitrate: 5ppm. I initially started with 10ppm but I never saw a decrease when I tested during the week until I did the weekly water change. I dropped it to 5ppm ( at least 6 weeks ago) thinking that the higher value would lead to algae issues. Even at 5ppm it doesn't change during the weekly testing until I do the water change.
Phosphate - 1.0ppm
Potassium -? Can't test for it. No test kit available in the states. I dose 5 ml. 2 times/week
KH - 4-5
GH -6
Iron - dosed @ 3ml. 3 times/week . Residual is .25ppm 15 minutes after dosing.
Plants - 1 Java fern, 3 Crypt Wendetii , bit of Vallisneria Torta , 2 dwarf Water Lili's and 1 pennyworth.
Fish Load - 8 Cherry Barbs, 5 Harlequin Rasboras and 4 Albino Cory Cat's.
Don't think fish load is a problem. Maintenance is being done , CO2 seems to be right, so is there an imbalance between lighting and ferts? Maybe need more plants? Any help would be appreciated!
Tank:
29 gallon with a Sachem Tidal75 HOB filter and a Fluval 3.0 Planted LED light(32 watt). The current light settings are as follows: 70% red, 3% blue, 25% cold white, 70% pure white and 70% warm white. I run the light 8hrs./day with a 1 hr. ramp up and ramp down and 6 hrs. stretch in between. I also inject CO2. I start the injection 2 hrs. before ramp up. When I test the PH just before the lights start to come up I get a 1ppm drop with a 4KH. according to the CO2 chart that equates to 30% saturation rate. There are 2 circulation pumps (1@ 425gph and 1 @ 565gph) to help with circulation.
Water Parameters: I use tap water with Prime ,when tested there is no significant amount of Nitrate, Phosphate or iron in the tap water. I test the tank water 3 times a week. I do a 50% water change every week. I use Sachem Flourish ferts, the nutrient specific type not the all -in one. I also dose Trace (micro nutrients )as well using Seachems dosing chart for all ferts. Water temp. in tank is 72 degrees F.
Nitrate: 5ppm. I initially started with 10ppm but I never saw a decrease when I tested during the week until I did the weekly water change. I dropped it to 5ppm ( at least 6 weeks ago) thinking that the higher value would lead to algae issues. Even at 5ppm it doesn't change during the weekly testing until I do the water change.
Phosphate - 1.0ppm
Potassium -? Can't test for it. No test kit available in the states. I dose 5 ml. 2 times/week
KH - 4-5
GH -6
Iron - dosed @ 3ml. 3 times/week . Residual is .25ppm 15 minutes after dosing.
Plants - 1 Java fern, 3 Crypt Wendetii , bit of Vallisneria Torta , 2 dwarf Water Lili's and 1 pennyworth.
Fish Load - 8 Cherry Barbs, 5 Harlequin Rasboras and 4 Albino Cory Cat's.
Don't think fish load is a problem. Maintenance is being done , CO2 seems to be right, so is there an imbalance between lighting and ferts? Maybe need more plants? Any help would be appreciated!
