staghorn?

chansman · 12-17-2011, 03:40 PM

I think this is staghorn...what do you guys think?
What's the best way to get rid of it without stressing my fish? Forgive the bubbles, the vals are going crazy.

livingword26 · 12-17-2011, 05:13 PM

You will need to list your tank size, light fixture type, maintenance schedule, any co2 supplementation, any info you can think of will help people help you.

chansman · 12-17-2011, 05:46 PM

tank specs:
50g - 36 x 18 x 19
117w T5HO - 78w running 11 hours/day and 117w running 1 hour
no co2
Flourish comprehensive 2x week
osmacote root tabs

livingword26 · 12-17-2011, 06:43 PM

Looks like medium light? No macro nutriens, and no carbon source. If you can't move to a co2 set up, I would use some Flourish Excel for carbon, and you are going to have to fertilize with nitrogen(KNO3), potassium and Phospates(KH2PO4). I think you will get enough potassium from the KNO3 and KH2P04. You can look here for dry ferts if you like.

http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizer.html

livingword26 · 12-17-2011, 06:47 PM

Nevermind on the Flourish Excel, it may kill your vals.

chansman · 12-17-2011, 07:02 PM

Thanks. I'll start with the excel and see how that helps me first.

I may be good with killing the vals...lol They are crazy out of control.

livingword26 · 12-17-2011, 08:07 PM

Start out with a half dose for a few days then use full strength.

chansman · 12-29-2011, 11:28 AM

Update:
I changed my lighting to 10 hours per day with one bulb on for the full time with the other two turning on for three hours. Then I trimmed the vals that had all of the staghorn growing. Lastly I changed my dosing by adding the Excel and eliminating the Comprehensive...I'll add that back slowly. That worked really well! No more staghorn. The only algae in the tank now is just a very little green stuff on the sides...not sure why the ottos aren't getting all of that.

Nubster · 12-29-2011, 04:33 PM

When I had staghorn I read that dosing iron could cause it as well as poor water flow. So, I stopped doing iron and added a powerhead. Within a week the staghorn dies and has not returned. Since you don't dose heavy, the extra iron wouldn't apply to you but make sure you have good flow in the areas that the algae is showing up. That's just my experience anyways.

12-17-2011, 03:40 PM	#1
chansman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sumter, sc Posts: 153	staghorn? I think this is staghorn...what do you guys think? What's the best way to get rid of it without stressing my fish? Forgive the bubbles, the vals are going crazy. Attached Thumbnails

12-29-2011, 04:33 PM	#9
Nubster Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Romney, West Virginia Posts: 3,313	When I had staghorn I read that dosing iron could cause it as well as poor water flow. So, I stopped doing iron and added a powerhead. Within a week the staghorn dies and has not returned. Since you don't dose heavy, the extra iron wouldn't apply to you but make sure you have good flow in the areas that the algae is showing up. That's just my experience anyways. __________________ EVIL Camera Pimp member #1 NIKON Pimp Club member #012 SunSun Pimp Club member #069 ~~20L OEBT/Super Tiger/PFR Tank~~ ~~20L Yellow Neo tank~~ Mr. Aqua Blue Diamond neo Tank

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12-17-2011, 05:13 PM	#2
livingword26 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 978	You will need to list your tank size, light fixture type, maintenance schedule, any co2 supplementation, any info you can think of will help people help you.

12-17-2011, 05:46 PM	#3
chansman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sumter, sc Posts: 153	tank specs: 50g - 36 x 18 x 19 117w T5HO - 78w running 11 hours/day and 117w running 1 hour no co2 Flourish comprehensive 2x week osmacote root tabs

12-17-2011, 06:43 PM	#4
livingword26 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 978	Looks like medium light? No macro nutriens, and no carbon source. If you can't move to a co2 set up, I would use some Flourish Excel for carbon, and you are going to have to fertilize with nitrogen(KNO3), potassium and Phospates(KH2PO4). I think you will get enough potassium from the KNO3 and KH2P04. You can look here for dry ferts if you like. http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizer.html

12-17-2011, 06:47 PM	#5
livingword26 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 978	Nevermind on the Flourish Excel, it may kill your vals.

12-17-2011, 07:02 PM	#6
chansman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sumter, sc Posts: 153	Thanks. I'll start with the excel and see how that helps me first. I may be good with killing the vals...lol They are crazy out of control.

12-17-2011, 08:07 PM	#7
livingword26 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 978	Start out with a half dose for a few days then use full strength.

12-29-2011, 11:28 AM	#8
chansman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sumter, sc Posts: 153	Update: I changed my lighting to 10 hours per day with one bulb on for the full time with the other two turning on for three hours. Then I trimmed the vals that had all of the staghorn growing. Lastly I changed my dosing by adding the Excel and eliminating the Comprehensive...I'll add that back slowly. That worked really well! No more staghorn. The only algae in the tank now is just a very little green stuff on the sides...not sure why the ottos aren't getting all of that.