Advice re algae growth

[Larry]

I'm sure the experienced members might have gone through this in
their own tanks at one time or another so any advice will probably be
"bang on" and just what I need.

My 29 g bow tank has been operation since Jan/05. It's fully planted
and at the upper end of it's 'acceptable' load I'm sure.

I've got black hair algae on rocks and many plants. I have 2 SAE and
a few smaller variety or algae eaters. ut they don't seem to be able
to keep up. I trim my plants and that helps reduce some algae.

I feed twice a day - am dried flakes, pm frozen bloodworms.
I cube of bloodworms in pm and a med/lrg pinch of dried foods in am.

Questions- here we go...

1) Should I reduce the feedings or amount?

2) Stop adding the plant nutrient fertilizer(5ml /week)

3) Do more than the weekly 30% water change.

4) add more SAE's

5) Help - not sure what else to do.


Larry

[James]

Test that water for high Nitrates and/ or Phosphates. 2 SAE' should handle
most algae issues, but not water issues.


--
James



"Larry" > wrote in message
...
> I'm sure the experienced members might have gone through this in
> their own tanks at one time or another so any advice will probably be
> "bang on" and just what I need.
>
> My 29 g bow tank has been operation since Jan/05. It's fully planted
> and at the upper end of it's 'acceptable' load I'm sure.
>
> I've got black hair algae on rocks and many plants. I have 2 SAE and
> a few smaller variety or algae eaters. ut they don't seem to be able
> to keep up. I trim my plants and that helps reduce some algae.
>
> I feed twice a day - am dried flakes, pm frozen bloodworms.
> I cube of bloodworms in pm and a med/lrg pinch of dried foods in am.
>
> Questions- here we go...
>
> 1) Should I reduce the feedings or amount?
>
> 2) Stop adding the plant nutrient fertilizer(5ml /week)
>
> 3) Do more than the weekly 30% water change.
>
> 4) add more SAE's
>
> 5) Help - not sure what else to do.
>
>
> Larry

[Larry]

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:15:51 -0500, "James" > wrote:

>Test that water for high Nitrates and/ or Phosphates. 2 SAE' should handle
>most algae issues, but not water issues.

Nitrates are ok 20ish. Phosphates - guess I'll get a kit for that
asap.

Larry

[Elaine T]

Larry wrote:
> On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:15:51 -0500, "James" > wrote:
>
>
>>Test that water for high Nitrates and/ or Phosphates. 2 SAE' should handle
>>most algae issues, but not water issues.
>
>
> Nitrates are ok 20ish. Phosphates - guess I'll get a kit for that
> asap.
>
> Larry
>
Agreeed - 2 SAE should keep up. However, I wouldn't call 20ish nitrates
OK for a plant tank. It's on the high side, which means you either need
more plants or less nitrate in your fertilizer. Also, is the tank
heavily planted, and are you adding CO2 or using Excel?

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[lgb]

In article >,
says...
> I've got black hair algae on rocks and many plants. I have 2 SAE and
> a few smaller variety or algae eaters. ut they don't seem to be able
> to keep up. I trim my plants and that helps reduce some algae.
>
I had the same problem. I used a product called AlgaeFix which is safe
for use with plants. It doesn't kill the algae but seems to stop it
from spreading faster than it can be eaten. I also stopped the
fertilizer. So far, the plants are staying healthy.

Another smaller tank was a bigger problem. I took out the plants (they
were potted) and used an algae killer. I've given it two doses a
week apart and it looks like that will do it, but I may try a third just
to be safe. Then I'll put the plants back and make the AlgaeFix a
regular thing as long as the plants don't mind.

--
BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever

[Scat]

Hi
see this link for info on how to control algae:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/algae_types.php

I hope it helps
Kim

[James]

I did not see that is was a planted tank. (Needs new glasses) Those plants
should be definitely dealing with the Nitrates (Unless they are plastic ----
LOL)

I think a revised approach to water chemistry issues is the root source, and
maybe LOTS more live plants.

--
James


"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Larry wrote:
>> On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:15:51 -0500, "James" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Test that water for high Nitrates and/ or Phosphates. 2 SAE' should
>>>handle most algae issues, but not water issues.
>>
>>
>> Nitrates are ok 20ish. Phosphates - guess I'll get a kit for that
>> asap.
>>
>> Larry
>>
> Agreeed - 2 SAE should keep up. However, I wouldn't call 20ish nitrates
> OK for a plant tank. It's on the high side, which means you either need
> more plants or less nitrate in your fertilizer. Also, is the tank heavily
> planted, and are you adding CO2 or using Excel?
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Larry]

On 16 Jun 2005 17:28:37 -0700, "Scat" >
wrote:

>Hi
>see this link for info on how to control algae:
>
>http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/algae_types.php
>
>I hope it helps
>Kim

Thanks all for your help.

I went to the Badmans Tropical site and found that the poor condition
of my plants matched a description of symptoms of high phosphates. It
also said that if nitrates are on high side an algae bloom would
occur. Well I have both.


So I'm going to do bi weekly water changes instead of one, have bought
a high output light (56w) to get my plants growing stronger. 20w just
wasn't cutting it. I also went to a 2L DIY type CO2 instead of the
little one I had.

Will let you know in a week or two how things are going.

Larry