I started up my tank 13-14 wks ago. It started well with plants growing really well for 2 months, without CO2 or nutrients being added. I slowly built up my fish stock too. It was quite a heavily planted tank - I would say about 60-70% planted.
The tank is a metre long by 55cm high. It is lit with 4*TMC LED Grolights. About 180 litres actual water and filter is external Fluval 305.
Then suddenly algae after about 9-10 wks. Cladophora algae, Thread algae and maybe fuzz algae covering plant leaves.
I had had the lights on for 9hrs a day, so I reduced this to 7-7 1/2 hours as I thought this was causing it. I also introduced CO2 as I thought this was lacking and would help plants to outgrow the algae. EVery time I have tested water it has been near perfect, no amonia traces and low nitrates.
The CO2 turns the drop checker lime green also.
I now do 50% water changes weekly and the algea keeps coming back, albeit in lower numbers. I then thought I needed to add nutrients because of reading posts on here. I have bought a TMC complete after reading a good post on it as a simple starting point. I add it 3 times a week given how many plants there are and people said you couldn't have too much.
I have bought 5 ottos and want 5 amano shrimp but can't find any.
What do I do next? Increase nutrients further? Increase light again? Blackout and return conditions to starting point?
I don't think it is a flow problem (although it probably could be improved) as where there is a lot of algae there is very good flow! Are the nutrients now feeding the algae further or will they help plants outgrow it? DO I have to blackout to get rid and then hope the conditions are now right?
I don't really know what cuased the sudden outburst given water tests have always been so good. I am presuming it was lack of nutrients that slowed plant growth and cause decaying leaves. Even my Caboma is struggling now! And that was growing great guns at the start and I had to cut it back, but it never really recovered after that! Did that cause my problems? I don't really know what to do next!
Many thanks
Paul
The tank is a metre long by 55cm high. It is lit with 4*TMC LED Grolights. About 180 litres actual water and filter is external Fluval 305.
Then suddenly algae after about 9-10 wks. Cladophora algae, Thread algae and maybe fuzz algae covering plant leaves.
I had had the lights on for 9hrs a day, so I reduced this to 7-7 1/2 hours as I thought this was causing it. I also introduced CO2 as I thought this was lacking and would help plants to outgrow the algae. EVery time I have tested water it has been near perfect, no amonia traces and low nitrates.
The CO2 turns the drop checker lime green also.
I now do 50% water changes weekly and the algea keeps coming back, albeit in lower numbers. I then thought I needed to add nutrients because of reading posts on here. I have bought a TMC complete after reading a good post on it as a simple starting point. I add it 3 times a week given how many plants there are and people said you couldn't have too much.
I have bought 5 ottos and want 5 amano shrimp but can't find any.
What do I do next? Increase nutrients further? Increase light again? Blackout and return conditions to starting point?
I don't think it is a flow problem (although it probably could be improved) as where there is a lot of algae there is very good flow! Are the nutrients now feeding the algae further or will they help plants outgrow it? DO I have to blackout to get rid and then hope the conditions are now right?
I don't really know what cuased the sudden outburst given water tests have always been so good. I am presuming it was lack of nutrients that slowed plant growth and cause decaying leaves. Even my Caboma is struggling now! And that was growing great guns at the start and I had to cut it back, but it never really recovered after that! Did that cause my problems? I don't really know what to do next!
Many thanks
Paul