algae - what am I missing

[Larry]

I must be a "Neanderthal" fish guy because I am losing a battle of
string and black algae.

Recently posted about my problem and thought I had it licked.
Extra water changes, more light for plants (18" - 56 watt canopy), and
more plants.

I bought a few mixed swords YESTERDAY and already there are signs of
string algae.

I have a DIY 2L CO2 container going. I did clean out my filter a bit
yesterday(surely not enough to make that big a difference)

I left the black hair algae on my biggest rock. It doesn't grow via
spores or something does it?

I should cut off all my lighting (I think) but what will happen to
all my plants. Will they survive whatever time you think is
appropriate?

What the ????? Any advice from those who have been there?

TIA

Larry

[Rocco Moretti]

Larry wrote:
> I must be a "Neanderthal" fish guy because I am losing a battle of
> string and black algae.
>
> Recently posted about my problem and thought I had it licked.
> Extra water changes, more light for plants (18" - 56 watt canopy), and
> more plants.

Be careful on the "More light == Better" kick. (anecdotal) I "solved" my
staghorn algae problem by *reducing* the light, and adding floating
plants (further reducing light). The caveat is that I miscalculated when
I originally got the tank and was shooting >5 watts per gallon CF onto
my tank. The key isn't *more* light, it's the correct amount of light.
(Down to 2-3 watts per gallon, and my algae is doing less well, although
my Lysimachia is looking dog-eared now.)

The floating plants also grow more rapidly than submerged plants, so
they help soak up soluble nutrients.

> I left the black hair algae on my biggest rock. It doesn't grow via
> spores or something does it?

It can. At the very least if some gets rubbed off, it can establish a
new colony where the fragment lands. (How else do you think it spreads
in the wild?)

> I should cut off all my lighting (I think) but what will happen to
> all my plants. Will they survive whatever time you think is
> appropriate?

Never done it myself, but healthy plants & fish are reported to survive
a ~2 week blackout alright. Re-post with plant names and the experts can
advise better. (You also might have more luck in
rec.aquaria.freshwater.plants.)

[Scat]

Algae is not supposed to like interrupted lighting.
I have my lights on for six hours,off for 3, then on again for six.
Plants aren't supposed to mind this lighting interruption.
I use an automatic timer I bought for about =A32 from the local
supermarket.

Have you tested your tap water for phosphates and nitrates?
Reduce feeding your fish for a bit, so that the nitrate levels can
decrease.

Bristlenose Plecs are also good at eating algae.

Remember, a sign of algae is a reflection of good water quality...as
long as its not too out of control.

[Scat]

PS. Just a thought. You said you were tinkering with your filter. Do
you use Carbon? If you are, it could be contributing to the amount of
phosphates in your water...Good algae food!
I don't use it myself. Everything runs fine without it.

[Elaine T]

Larry wrote:
> I must be a "Neanderthal" fish guy because I am losing a battle of
> string and black algae.
>
> Recently posted about my problem and thought I had it licked.
> Extra water changes, more light for plants (18" - 56 watt canopy), and
> more plants.
>
> I bought a few mixed swords YESTERDAY and already there are signs of
> string algae.
>
> I have a DIY 2L CO2 container going. I did clean out my filter a bit
> yesterday(surely not enough to make that big a difference)
>
> I left the black hair algae on my biggest rock. It doesn't grow via
> spores or something does it?
>
> I should cut off all my lighting (I think) but what will happen to
> all my plants. Will they survive whatever time you think is
> appropriate?
>
> What the ????? Any advice from those who have been there?
>
> TIA
>
> Larry
>
>
String algae thrives on nutrients that your plants can't use becuase
there's something missing. Balanced fertilization lets plants thrive
they outcompete the algae.

What are you using for fertilizer, and what are your nitrate, iron, and
phosphate levels? Typically algae does not take over if you limit
either phosphate (Horst and Kipper method) or iron (Barr method). Limit
it too much, and the plants won't thrive, though. High lighting and CO2
is usually not a problem if there are plenty of plants in the tank.

Black brush algae often grows in conditions good for plants. Siamese
algae eaters (C. siamensis) eat black brush algae and are good community
fish. I highly recommend SAE if your tank is peaceful (i.e. not African
or South American cichlids) and doesn't contain large fish that would
eat them (like oscars).

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

[Billy]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> String algae thrives on nutrients that your plants can't use
> becuase there's something missing. Balanced fertilization lets
> plants thrive they outcompete the algae.
>
> What are you using for fertilizer, and what are your nitrate, iron,
> and phosphate levels? Typically algae does not take over if you
> limit either phosphate (Horst and Kipper method) or iron (Barr
> method). Limit it too much, and the plants won't thrive, though.
> High lighting and CO2 is usually not a problem if there are plenty
> of plants in the tank.
>
> Black brush algae often grows in conditions good for plants.
> Siamese algae eaters (C. siamensis) eat black brush algae and are
> good community fish. I highly recommend SAE if your tank is
> peaceful (i.e. not African or South American cichlids) and doesn't
> contain large fish that would eat them (like oscars).
>


I heartily agree with Elaine. I use a combination of minimal, yet
careful fert, and SAE's. I also have a sprig of hornwort, which grows
like a weed, but kicks the algae's butt in competition for the
nutrients. It floats at the top on the end furthest from the filter
oulet, where, by design, I have my low-light plants. When the
hornwort has grown enough to begin encroaching on the other half of
the tank, (seems like this occurs in hours sometimes) I tear most of
it out and throw it in the goldie tank, where it is quickly eaten. :)

b