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Algae in new tank

Zeus. said:
I black out could back fire on you with your tank at its early stage of development IMO. As the MC will have limited energy reserves ATM.
Reduce light intensity, check pH profile, clean filter and all pipework impeller as well, remove worse leaves esp if melting or holes.
If you can't reduced intensity add some floating plants.
Reinforce clean up crew
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Ok cheers, didn’t think about that! Will give the tank a major clean tomorrow, will clear all the algae off the glass and rocks. Will then cut back all the bad leaves. I guess the algae will slowly die back? Is it just maturity and keeping the tank in check for the next month? I’m impressed with the plant growth so far, reckon another 4/5 weeks and I’ll have a full carpet.
Cheers Chris
 
So I gave the tank a major clean and it looks much better, still have lots of algae growing on the juncus repens and the Monte Carlo. Purchased 6 chilli rasbora and so the tank it complete. Is there anything else I can do? Or do I just have to ride the algae out? It’s really hard to cut the bad Monte Carlo leaves out as I don’t want to cut the healthy plants beneath.
Here’s some pictures
Cheers Chris
 

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Keep doing daily water changes at 50% min. Also you could try some amano shrimp aswel they love algae. I would put about 6 or 7 in there see how that goes. Cheers Lee.
 
Ok cheers, so just keep scrubbing and cleaning then water change? Ok cool, the only thing is that I have the small cherry shrimps, will a big amano be ok with them? Will try and get one tomorrow if so.
Cheers Chris
 
Yes they will be fine with the cherrys I have both in my tank and they live along side each other just fine. Plus I have shrimplets aswel and the amano don't bother them.
 
Lee iley said:
Just keep on top of the cleaning glass etc.
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Ok cheers, will do another big clean tomorrow, doing 90% water changes but it’s hard to remove the hair algae from the Monte Carlo without digging it up. Will do a big water change and clean, then introduce and Otto and amano shrimp. After the algae eventually disappears I may give the amano and Otto to a friend but will keep them if I need to. I guess the amano will eat hair algae?
Cheers Chris
 
Not sure if it will eat hair algae. It wouldn't do any harm in keeping them in there as they will eat it 24 hours a day there are machines.
 
Lee iley said:
Not sure if it will eat hair algae. It wouldn't do any harm in keeping them in there as they will eat it 24 hours a day there are machines.
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Ok cheers, yeah it’s worth a try for a cheap solution, will keep on top of the maintenance, and double dosing the co2 still to try and help.
Cheers Chris
 
It's hard work when you first set a tank up I have a 400 litre and have had it over 12 month. But I have just rescaped it about 5 weeks ago and I was doing daily 50% water changes on it and in the last 2 weeks I now just do 1 50% water change. It's took me a while to get my head around some things in keeping my tank healthy. It's worth it in the end.
 
Once you get on top of the algae it will be fine I would try putting some more plants in maybe that will help loads as the plants will take all the neutriants instead of the algae taking it.
 
Lee iley said:
Once you get on top of the algae it will be fine I would try putting some more plants in maybe that will help loads as the plants will take all the neutriants instead of the algae taking it.
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Ok cheers that’s super helpful! Thank you. The tanks going to be drained down to have an inch of water in next weekend and then taken to my uni flat so can focus on it more then. My friends bringing his R/O machine as we both have planted tanks. Will just keep on top of the maintence this week and then do the same when I get back to uni, can do massive frequent water changes then as we can make water every day, but I’m currently getting it from my LFS. Will also look at adding another plant, want something red that will stay short? Will place this infront of the large rock at the back to soften the scape. Any suggestions? Or anyone got any suggestions of another plant/where to add it?
Cheers Chris
 
Lee iley said:
I like red tiger lotus they can grow big though but just keep trimming it they are like a Lilly pad a nice red plant.
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Ok will have a look into them, any others that would stay small? Don’t have a lot of space in that tank haha.
Cheers Chris
 
Matt @ ScapeEasy said:
I've not tried it myself but how about ludwigia palustris?
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Had a look but might get too tall for a fore ground plant. Had a look at Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’ which seems perfect, can keep it trimmed down. Or another from the same species? Will create a small bush basically. Have attached a picture where the new plant will go if I get one, inside the red circles basically.
Cheers
 

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So the Lfs, didn’t have plant I was after. Also they couldn’t order it in at the moment. Will have a look on eBay. Managed to get a tiny amano and an otto catfish. Hopefully I’ll see an improvement in the next week.
Cheers Chris
 
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