"New Tank Algae Syndrome" and how to prevent it?

[MsNemoShrimp]

Morning. So my bf and I flooded our tank last night after growing plants in it for 8 weeks emersed. Started on 8.1.2011. End on 9.30.2011. (2 months. According to Tom Barr my Ammonia and Nitrate should be fully cycled by now).

The following plants have been grown emersed: HC, HM, MM, DHG, Glosso, Tropica 049, Micro Sword, Mini Pellia, Downoi and HygroSunset.
Substrate: 15lbs of Eco-Complete (bottom layer) + 8lbs of Fluval Shrimp Stratum (top layer) + 12 Osmocote Root Tabs buried 2-3 inches into the substrate. 7 piece of medium to small Seriyu Stones.
Light: Finnex 13W CFL x 2 on a Mr. Aqua 12 Gallon Long Tank. That is 2.17 WPG (60-80 micromols of PAR [High-medium range]). On 8 hours a day on a timer.
Filtration: 501 Zoomed Canister Filter w/ Premium Carbon-Ammonia Neutralizing Blend, Biomedia & Purigen.
CO2 & Fertilizers: Pressurized CO2 4-5 bps on 24/7. Not dosing any fertilizers yet.

12G Mr. Aqua Journal

Questions:
1.) At this point in time, what should I do to prevent algae outbreak. If algae is really inevitable for new tanks, how can I control it to be as little as possible?
2.) I heard overdosing in CO2 is better than being under. Is this true?
3.) How often should I change the water in the first month. I am getting mixed and match results from google search. Some says 30% WC every other day, and some say 50% WC every week for the first month using RO/DI water only. Which should be more correct?

[mrchach]

overdosing co2 is better for plants, NOT FISH
You can only minimize the algae cycle, by cleaning it up and minimizing the amount of fertilizers in the tank including fish

[freph]

Overdosing CO2 kills livestock underdosing causes algae (with too much light). Try your best to keep it 30ppm. Also, monitor organics and your fertilizer levels if possible to avoid too much buildup. I've heard bad things about carbon in filters and fertilizers so you might want to read up on that.

[MsNemoShrimp]

I don't have any livestock in there right now and not planning to add any until Saturday of next week. Livestock added will just be cheap white cloud minnows. 10 for $1. I rather overdose at this stage than under because an algae breakout would certainly wipe out most of my emersed plants : (

Won't be dosing fertilizers until 2 weeks more later on because from what I know, the water should have plenty of nutrients by now from the substrate and adding anymore now would mean excess nutrients.

[freph]

True. Still, I wonder if there's a point where CO2 is essentially at equilibrium of being used by plants and being dosed...kinda like diminishing returns (i.e. more CO2 = more money, but negligible growth).

[Optix]

too much osmocote already...you have green water in your future

[MsNemoShrimp]

Originally Posted by Optix

too much osmocote already...you have green water in your future

Bummer! Really? I read somewhere online that its standard 4-5 tabs per 1 sq.ft.
12 the gallon long is about 3 sq.ft. so I added 10 or 12 which should be at the base of 4 tabs per. I really hope it doesn't...

[MsNemoShrimp]

Finally, a journal of all this work.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...12-gallon.html
Enjoy them guys and perhaps give me feedback on any changes I may need? Thanks! : )

[MsNemoShrimp]

So far its the 3rd day, no sign of much outbreak yet. Is this still too early to tell and when should I plan my next 40-50% water change?

[JasonG75]

I would say CRAM as many plants as you can into the tank, THIS will minimize algae..grab a couple of water-sprites as well, they EAT up excess.

[MsNemoShrimp]

As far as plants that burry into the substrate, I am afraid of trying because that will mean the chances of the HC uprooting is rather high. I can just add a lot of frogbits, hornworts, etc but that is about the most I can do...

[MsNemoShrimp]

Feel free to check my updated journal folks, looks like everything is turning out "just right" isn't it? : )

[herns]

Originally Posted by Optix

too much osmocote already...you have green water in your future

I may misunderstood this. But, does too much Osmocote cause green water?

[MsNemoShrimp]

So far my water is crystal clear. My bf's tank has the same amount of Osmocotes in his tank, 6 months later, water is still crystal clear...

[MsNemoShrimp]

Thanks for everyone that participated. Starting a new tank with very minimal algae is a success!

For anyone interested on how I did it, here my my journal: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...ournal-mr.html