thelats1981
Member
Hi all, I'm hoping someone may be able to help me with some advice and pointers. Apologies in advance for the length of this, but I feel I'm getting to the point of defeat and this may be last attempt to sort things out.
I've been having ongoing issues with various algae since setting my tank up 6 months ago. Most seems to have settled, however I still have BGA which is present on the substrate. This isn't getting worse as such rather its persisting and looks unpleasant to say the least, I would like to try and get rid of this once and for all!
Can anyone advise of the best way to clear the tank of the BGA (if there is a way!) so that I can move finally move forward.
Brief (?) history of tank;
My plan of attack is as follows;
Tank Stats & maintenance;
190 litre aqua one evo aquarium
Aquis 1050 external - max flow rate 1050 L /hr but probably works at 700 L/hr
Koralia 1600 circulation pump
2 x T5 39 watt tubes with reflectors (one of these has a pink hue which is soon to be replaced.)
6Kg Pub bottle CO2 with solenoid - 2 hours before lights on and off 30mins before lights off.
Ceramic diffuser (will be upgrading to up aqua inline in next week or so)
EI dosing as per Aquarium plant food instructions
5ml of Easy Carbo daily
Have recently added Carbon to filter to help reduce organic wastes.
40% water change weekly
Filter clean weekly
I will try an upload pics tonight from home to give you an idea of current layout, although this is quite embarrasing due to the state of the tank.
Really appreciate any help, I love this hobby but it really can be soul destroying at times.
I've been having ongoing issues with various algae since setting my tank up 6 months ago. Most seems to have settled, however I still have BGA which is present on the substrate. This isn't getting worse as such rather its persisting and looks unpleasant to say the least, I would like to try and get rid of this once and for all!
Can anyone advise of the best way to clear the tank of the BGA (if there is a way!) so that I can move finally move forward.
Brief (?) history of tank;
- I started out thinking that I would be ok without CO2 as it was 'too expensive', and I could just use 'non CO2 plants'. 1st error, since amended with pub bottle, reg/ solenoid set up.
- I thought flow was ok as plants were gently swaying with one spray bar half way across the back wall. 2nd error, since amended with koralia pump, and soon to be further improved with 2nd spray bar to cover entire length of aquarium this weekend.
- I didn't think I would need to dose ferts heavily as I've not got a huge plant mass. 3rd and 4th errors, now dosing EI (6 weeks) and am adding a lots of fast growers this weekend.
- I thought CO2 distribution was ok as drop checker showing lime green / yellow at lights on and is on opposite side of the tank to the diffuser.
My plan of attack is as follows;
- reduction of hardscape, I have 3 pieces of bog wood in the rear right hand side corner which is clearly affecting flow. Will be reduced to one piece.
- additional spraybar
- Improve CO2 distribution by placing diffuser centrally at the back of the tank (bubbles will be pushed forward and down)
- Increase in plant mass
Tank Stats & maintenance;
190 litre aqua one evo aquarium
Aquis 1050 external - max flow rate 1050 L /hr but probably works at 700 L/hr
Koralia 1600 circulation pump
2 x T5 39 watt tubes with reflectors (one of these has a pink hue which is soon to be replaced.)
6Kg Pub bottle CO2 with solenoid - 2 hours before lights on and off 30mins before lights off.
Ceramic diffuser (will be upgrading to up aqua inline in next week or so)
EI dosing as per Aquarium plant food instructions
5ml of Easy Carbo daily
Have recently added Carbon to filter to help reduce organic wastes.
40% water change weekly
Filter clean weekly
I will try an upload pics tonight from home to give you an idea of current layout, although this is quite embarrasing due to the state of the tank.
Really appreciate any help, I love this hobby but it really can be soul destroying at times.