Need advice - algae and nitrate problem in planted tank

[christian_cowgirlGSR]

Hello all!
I have a 55gallon aquarium that's been set up for over a year now. Recently, I have had quite a problem with algae, and my nitrates have been reading high. I've been having to do 20% water changes every 2-3 days. I know I've got something wrong (i.e. out of balance) with this tank, but I'm not really sure what, as I don't think it's overpopulated. I could really use some advice on what I could do to correct the problems with this tank as it is becoming a big chore to have to change the water so regularly.

Inhabitants in the tank:

• 5 pearl gourami (1M, 4F). The male is about 4.5" long, the females range between 3-3.5" long.
• 10 cardinal tetras
• 2 otocinclus afinis
• 1 red wag platy
• 3 bolivian rams (roughly 2-2.5" long)
• lots of malaysian trumpet snails

For plants, I have:

• 1 amazon sword
• 1 crinum calamistratum
• 1 crinum aquatica
• 1 anubias
• 1 moss ball
• several pieces of trident java fern
• a piece or two of java fern windelov
• a piece or two of java fern needle leaf
• lots of italian val - all of which are under 3" tall, which I find to be very frustrating because I wanted to use them as a background plant
• Amazon frogbit

Tank specs:

• 55 gallons
• 1 4' T5HO light that is on from 9am-11:30am and 4:30pm-8pm. This bulb has been on the tank since the tank was set up in November of 2011.
• ph: ~8.0
• Ammonia:0ppm
• Nitrite:0ppm
• Nitrate:20-80, depending on how often I clean the tank.
• Temp: 80*F
• black diamond blasting sand substrate with seachem root tabs for plants that need it.
• I dose with seachem flourish 2x weekly, as directed on the bottle
• I have but do NOT use, seachem flourish excel, thanks to the vals in the tank.

Problems with the tank I need opinions on:

• Algae!!!!! And, therefore, an overabundance of MTS.
• Java Fern Trident dying while the other two varieties seem to be doing okay... At one time, I had a tank full of trident, and it has slowly been wilting away. The other two varieties in the tank, I only had one or two pieces of to start off with, but I haven't lost very much from them.
• Italian Vals don't get any taller than 3", even though I've read that they're supposed to be 12+.
• High nitrates - This is the most pressing issue

I would appreciate any input I can get on this issue!

[somewhatshocked]

Some questions...

First - what kind of test kit are you using? Strip? Liquid?

If it's liquid, be sure you're shaking those bottles vigorously for as long as one minute before using. Sometimes the API nitrate kit can be difficult to read and very tricky to use if not shaken well.

What kind of algae do you have?

Filtration?

Brand of lighting? Reflectors? How many inches from the substrate?

[n00dl3]

What are your tank equipment? I assumed no c02? Can we get a picture of your tank?

[christian_cowgirlGSR]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

Some questions...

First - what kind of test kit are you using? Strip? Liquid?

If it's liquid, be sure you're shaking those bottles vigorously for as long as one minute before using. Sometimes the API nitrate kit can be difficult to read and very tricky to use if not shaken well.

What kind of algae do you have?

Filtration?

Brand of lighting? Reflectors? How many inches from the substrate?

I'm using the API test kit. I am following the directions and am making sure to shake for the prescribed amount of time.

The algae is the kind that sticks to the walls... It isn't the hairy kind. Sorry, I'm not very good with types of algae.

For filtration, I have an HOB filter that says it's for a 40-60g tank. I also have a homemade sponge filter in the tank. The sponge filter is being run off of a bubbler that also says it is for this size of tank.

For lighting, I purchased a 1x54W kit and made an enclosure for it. The light sits on top of the tank, and is approximately 18" from the substrate.

[christian_cowgirlGSR]

Originally Posted by n00dl3

What are your tank equipment? I assumed no c02? Can we get a picture of your tank?

You are correct, I am not using any c02.

Here's my attempt at a picture of the algae:


Here's a picture of the tank itself. I apologize for the hard-water stains on the outside of the tank. Apparently, I didn't wipe them off the last time I cleaned the tank.

[wkndracer]

If that green easily wipes off the glass with just a rub of your finger then it's GDA (green dust algae). My tanks have it pop up when I'm low on phosphate and high on nitrates. Suggest if it's not a huge PITA to clean the glass and do a large >50% WC right after. Change the bulb in the fixture. Some bulbs shift value faster than others, cheaper fill gas and the spectrum changes within a year while others seem to hold value for several years (save the old bulb in the tube supplied with the new one).

HTH

[christian_cowgirlGSR]

Originally Posted by wkndracer

If that green easily wipes off the glass with just a rub of your finger then it's GDA (green dust algae). My tanks have it pop up when I'm low on phosphate and high on nitrates. Suggest if it's not a huge PITA to clean the glass and do a large >50% WC right after. Change the bulb in the fixture. Some bulbs shift value faster than others, cheaper fill gas and the spectrum changes within a year while others seem to hold value for several years (save the old bulb in the tube supplied with the new one).

HTH

The algae doesn't come off that easily. I have to use quite a bit of "elbow grease" and scrubbing to get it to come off.

[smiller]

Nitrates of 20-50 isn't a huge deal as long as your other levels are in tune, is it?

[BBradbury]

Hello Cowgirl...

You'll get a different answer from everyone answering this post, but to maintain stable water conditions, you need to flush a lot of pure, treated tap water through the tank every week. Your tank is really an "unflushed toilet" and by removing and replacing half the tank water weekly, you prevent nitrogens from building up in the tank. Some may disagree with such an aggressive water change routine, but the bottom line is "water changes work" and are the most important step toward a stable water chemistry, regardless of fish load.

This is how nature does it. The fish and plants get a constant supply of new, pure water and the old water is removed.

I would recommend addressing the water chemistry first and proceed from here. Start a sound water change routine and follow it religiously.

Just a thought.

B

[christian_cowgirlGSR]

Originally Posted by smiller

Nitrates of 20-50 isn't a huge deal as long as your other levels are in tune, is it?

Yes, my other params are in tune (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite). However, I've been dealing with sick fish (mostly ich) if I don't clean the water multiple times per week. The issues seem to go away if I clean the tank several times per week, but I prefer to keep a weekly routine and not have to change the water daily.

[christian_cowgirlGSR]

Originally Posted by BBradbury

Hello Cowgirl...

You'll get a different answer from everyone answering this post, but to maintain stable water conditions, you need to flush a lot of pure, treated tap water through the tank every week. Your tank is really an "unflushed toilet" and by removing and replacing half the tank water weekly, you prevent nitrogens from building up in the tank. Some may disagree with such an aggressive water change routine, but the bottom line is "water changes work" and are the most important step toward a stable water chemistry, regardless of fish load.

This is how nature does it. The fish and plants get a constant supply of new, pure water and the old water is removed.

I would recommend addressing the water chemistry first and proceed from here. Start a sound water change routine and follow it religiously.

Just a thought.

B

I have been doing ~30% water changes weekly, but this results in algae growth, dying java fern (which I had previously thought was impossible to kill), high nitrates, and problems with ich and, occasionally, fin rot. The problems seem to go away if I clean the tank more often (with no other treatment).

[herns]

[QUOTE=christian_cowgirlGSR;2153417]Yes, my other params are in tune (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite). However, I've been dealing with sick fish (mostly ich) if I don't clean the water multiple times per week.QUOTE]

Sick fish, ich is a sign of poor water quality. More water needed to be flush out and replace weekly.

[smiller]

Originally Posted by christian_cowgirlGSR

Yes, my other params are in tune (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite). However, I've been dealing with sick fish (mostly ich) if I don't clean the water multiple times per week. The issues seem to go away if I clean the tank several times per week, but I prefer to keep a weekly routine and not have to change the water daily.

I wasn't really directing that question at you, I was actually asking as a general question to see if I am right about that. Good luck to you!

[bikinibottom]

i had the same thought as wkndracer... change your bulb. One year can make a very big difference in terms of light spectrum and strength. On my old saltwater tank I always knew when to change the bulb because red macroalgae would start growing. As soon as I'd change the bulb it would wither and die.

[christian_cowgirlGSR]

Originally Posted by smiller

Nitrates of 20-50 isn't a huge deal as long as your other levels are in tune, is it?

According to what the API test kit says, up to 40 is safe for the fish.