hello and help needed

[Bernie]

hi every one

although I'm new to a planted tank I have had trop tanks for years and I'm finding it a bit confusing with the dosing and where to get the fertilisers from.
I have been using the JBL line of products for the last 3 to 4 months and now I'm struggling with algae. so much so I have to clean my tank every day.

my tank is a vision 260 and I'm using the STD filter system in the corner.
lighting is the STD T5 tubes with reflectors and is on for 8h a day.
I have a Co2 injection that is running for an hour before and after the light's come on/off and the drop checker is a light green.
I have used the JBL plant substrate with sand over the top.

my plants are doing fine I just cant get rid of the algae. I have shrimp and SAE working overtime alongside my whip tale pleco.

any help is appreciated

 

[Tim Harrison]

Hi and welcome.
It would help us to help you if you could post some pics; identifying the type of algae might help diagnose what's going on a bit more accurately.
In the meantime reduce the photoperiod to 6hrs, if you can remove the reflectors for a while see if that helps.
Aim for a lime green drop checker at lights on and all the way till lights off.
Try daily water changes of around 50%, and make sure you stay on top of husbandry removing as much solid dead organic matter as possible.
Jewel corner filters are OK but not really up to the demands of a high-energy planted tank. You really need a filter that can turn over 10x tank capacity an hour.
You could also try floating some quick growing stems for a while until the tanks stabilises.
How often and how much fertz are you dosing?

 

[Bernie]

Hi Tim

I have an external filter I can use also which will help with water turn over.
I use my fertz as per the instructions on the bottles tbh (iirc Fe is 10ml per 100l per day and the rest is 5ml per 100l) but I have just looked at TNC's web site and i'm going to get it all from there, and start EI dosing with 50% water changes weekly. I was only doing a 20% water change. I also use RO in my water changes.
my drop checker is a lime green when the lights come on and when the lights go off so at least I got one thing right lol.
I will post some pic's when I get home. the algae is green on the sand and tank glass but on my drift wood its a red/brown hair, I have seen the black hair type before but not this red stuff.

thanks Berne

 

[G H Nelson]

(iirc Fe is 10ml per 100l per day and the rest is 5ml per 100l)

The above don't seem the correct dosing measures!
What products are you using?
hoggie

 

[Bernie]

Hi ya hogan

It's the JBL line of products as that's all my lfs has. I will be placing a order with TNC and using there dry salts.

 

[Bernie]

here are some pic's of the algae.

any help is appreciated

thanks bernie

 

[Bernie]

as I have said before my plants are doing well its just the algae that's getting on my nerves

 

[G H Nelson]

http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
Look at the link above to help combat the problem, you have various algae issues going on.
Follow Tim's advise....and you will be on the correct track!
You could use Liquid Carbon to help with algae control.....use as instructed!
First thing I would do, remove as much of the algae as possible manually.
Clean the substrate.....do a major water change!
hoggie

 

[Bernie]

thanks hoggie

I have planed to do a water change tomorrow of 50% RO.
I do have some liquid carbon (by Dennerle) I was using before my Co2 setup was installed (I have the Co2art system with the 300l bazzoka diffuser). I also plan on removing the sand and using black gravel, so that will get rid of the green algae.

thanks again Bernie

 

[Tim Harrison]

Bernie, don't waste your money on RO water, it isn't necessary unless you're planning to breed specialist fish.
Most of us just use what comes straight out of the tap, with maybe some dechorinator or conditioner...I've never used either.
It doesn't matter what colour your sand is, unless you sort the cause of the problem the algae will return.

From the algae in the pics it appears that your CO2 flow and distribution could be a lot better, and perhaps O2 levels as well.
Reducing the photoperiod is your first priority tho'. Adding more flow and keeping your filters clean will also help.
Make sure your CO2 is stable, and when I say lime green drop checker, I mean with a slight hint of yellow (be careful not to gas your critters).

 

[G H Nelson]

You mean this colour Tim! Limeade!
Its bloody hot here. I'm thirsty, could do with a jug with ice added

 

[Bernie]

hi Tim.
I understand changing the sand won't solve the algae problem, but as I'm changing it anyway it will help clean out what is there.

will a marine wave maker help with water circulation? or is it best to fit an external filter as well as the std filter. I have the drop checker the opposite side of the diffuser near the top of the tank. I did this as I thought it would give a good indication of Co2 levels.
I have the lights on now for 6 hours now and I will do what you and hoggie have suggested and keep you posted.

thanks again Bernie

 

[Tim Harrison]

You mean this colour Tim! Limeade!

Thanks Hoggie...that's the colour I had in mind

will a marine wave maker help with water circulation?

I've had 2 Jewel aquariums, and took the filter out from both, and just used an external canister filter. But a wave maker will do just as well to increase circulation and flow.
As for the drop checker it's always where I place mine, and it usually works for me
Do keep us posted it'd be good to see how you get on.

I understand changing the sand won't solve the algae problem, but as I'm changing it anyway it will help clean out what is there.

Sure, I knew that...I was thinking it's kinda like Nelson asking for his brown trousers and scarlet coat before the battle of Trafalgar...it won't change the outcome but it'll disguise the mess

 

[PARAGUAY]

Welcome to UKAPS, Bernie I agree with Tim and Hoggie advice ,my algae problem with algae was improved by forum advice for water changing more often, I added a small powerhead and purigen in the ex,filter

 

[G H Nelson]

Hi Bernie
If your going to use RO cut it with Tap water.
Your plants and critters will appreciate it more!
hoggie

 

[kadoxu]

hi and welcome!

 

[Bernie]

small up date

I have now installed a JBL CristalProfi e1501 filter as well as the std internal filter, and a wave maker (its like a flowing river in there now lol).
I have carried out a 50% water change as well as removing all the algae from the sand and glass. I removed the bog wood and scrubbed all the red algae off with a nail brush, and used a tooth brush on my Anubias nana leaves. I have also pruned the red lotus lily leaves that had algae on them as well as pruning the alternanthera reineckii 'pink' that was affected on there lower leaves only.
my lights are now on for 6 hours a day and I have installed 2 (yes 2) Co2 diffusers (one each end) instead of the single one
so all in all a busy day yesterday. tank looks ace again.

I will keep you all posted and thanks for your help

Bernie

 

[Bernie]

Hi all

just reporting that I have no more algae problems at all, so much so I now put in algae wafers in to feed my SAE's and pleco.
the main problem I was having was Co2 distribution and water flow. with the increased flow from the extra filter and having 2 smaller Co2 diffusers (one at each end of the tank) solved the problem.

thanks every one

Bernie