Thread / filamentous algae

[kschyff]

Hi all
I have a problem as described in the subject line. It started slowly and changing the fert routine from Apt EI to Apt Zero has not helped. Neither has reducing the light intensity.

1. Size of tank = 64l (but 45 actually because of hardscape)
2. Age of the system approximately = 2 months
3. Tap water parameters =
Scottish Water data is as follows:
Calcium mg Ca/l Magnesium mg Mg/l Hardness as mg/l CaCO3 Clark degrees French degrees German degrees Hardness level
10.66 2.01 34.86 2.45 3.49 1.95 Soft

See the 3 screenshots for the other water parameters.

4. Filtration and Media = Fluval 407 using all the basket for biological filtration. Mix of 2 baskets Seachem matrix and one Biohome ultra mini. Seachem Purigen in the top basket.
5. Lighting and duration = Twinstar 600EA 7 hours on full
6. Substrate = Dennerle Scapers soil (18 litres because of the height)
7. Co2 dosing or Non-dosing = CO2 via injection (3 bps)
8. Drop Checker = no. I am using an Apera Instruments pH pen. Reads 7.8 beginning of lighting period and 6.9 at end. Can't get it lower.
9. Fertilizers used + Ratios = Apt Zero from the bottle. 1.5 ml per day.
10. Water change regime and composition = 80% water change at least once per week.
11. Plant list + Invitro/Emersed = all invitro originally except the fern. Glosso, Rotala Hra, Bacopa Caroliana, Pinnatifida, Pink Flamingo (barely hanging on), Rotala Wallichi
12. Inhabitants = 8 Harlequin Rasboras, 2 Ottos and added 8 amano's on Saturday last week (no effect yet).
13. Full tank shot and surface image = added

 

[hypnogogia]

See the 3 screenshots for the other water parameters.

Those haven’t been added.

5. Lighting and duration = Twinstar 600EA 7 hours on full

Perhaps thunk about reducing the intensity if you’re getting algae

8. Drop Checker = no. I am using an Apera Instruments pH pen. Reads 7.8 beginning of lighting period and 6.9 at end. Can't get it lower.

What’s your pH before your CO2 come on? You should be aiming form1pH drop before lights on and then mai tia ing that throughout photo period, not reducing it further.

9. Fertilizers used + Ratios = Apt Zero from the bottle. 1.5 ml per day.

Why are you not dosing nitrate and phosphate? If plants don’t have sufficient food in a high tech tank then algae flourish.

 

[kschyff]

Thank you @hypnogogia I have added those screenshots. As for the pH I will check again, and post results. In terms of the fertilizers I was advised to use zero as it will help bring out the intense red pigmentation in the plants if you use aquasoil. I am actually quite confused with these ferts these days not knowing exactly what to use.