Algae cocktail - please help

[Hobbes1911]

Hey,

So I have recently started to experience an interesting cocktail of algae in my 75 gal. I have 216W HO T5, CO2, EI dosing with pfertz solution, RODI water, Eco complete substrate. The parameters are pH 6.4, ammonia, nitrite 0, nitrate 20ppm KH 3, GH?

I have BBA, thread algae, staghorn and cladophora in the tank. I think the BBA are because the CO2 is too low, but all the other ones, how do I get rid of those?
Any help is appreciated.

[mistergreen]

Originally Posted by Hobbes1911

I have 216W HO T5

that will do it.. Lower it by half. T5HO is incredibly strong light.

When that's fixed, you can physically remove the algae or use excel.

[Hobbes1911]

Will I have to down regulate anything else then too?

[mistergreen]

nope, just the lights.

[captain_bu]

Agree that your basic problem is too much light. Cutting it in half will help in the long term but you will still need to clean up and remove as much algae as possible. Trim any leaves that are infested or dying, remove dead leaves floating in the tank and toss any plants that are too much of a mess. Spot dosing with Excel will help kill the BBA. Twice weekly water changes will also help while you get things back under control, you will need to keep your filters and tank clean. Keep plant mass trimmed and as stable as possible so that your circulation is consistent.

Are you using pure RO/DI water or a mix with tap? If it is pure RO you need to reconstitute the water with something like Barr's GH booster so that you have enough calcium and magnesium.

Is your CO2 system pressurized or DIY? How are you monitoring levels?

Even with half the light you will still have a lot of light over the tank, I suggest you look into using dry ferts. Liquid ferts like the Pfertz and Seachem line are expensive and not very potent, they are better for low tech tanks.

[morf2540]

Question: what does "spot dosing with Excel" mean?

[captain_bu]

Originally Posted by morf2540

Question: what does "spot dosing with Excel" mean?

Turn off your filters and any powerheads. When there is no more current in the tank squirt some Excel directly on the algae. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so and then start the filter again. This works well with BBA, as it dies you will see it start to turn either white or red. Best not to add more than 3x the daily dose of Excel per day. If you have a lot of algae you will have to treat it a bit at a time. The Excel will add carbon to your tank which will help with the general health of the plants.

[Bees]

Originally Posted by morf2540

Question: what does "spot dosing with Excel" mean?

To spot dose is to use an eyedropper or a syringe to squirt some Excel directly onto the affected area inside the tank. You will need to disable your filters and powerheads, etc. temporarily to stop water flow in order to keep the excel from swirling away. Just a few minutes in order to let the concentrated dose "soak in".

[lauraleellbp]

Hobbes,

Try running just 108 watts for 8 hours with a short 4 hour "burst" with the 2nd bank of bulbs.

+ I'd spot treat with Excel to kill what algae is already there.

[Hobbes1911]

Thanks guys, just so we're clear though, I'm not overrun by algae, I have about 5-6 threads of thread algae, the usual green dust, four pebbles that have BBA on them, I jsut want to be ahead of the monsters. Thank you all for your input so far.

[StillLearning]

Hobbes1911 I think your light levels are fine I use that on a 55 gallon now with no problems. However if you have algae already you may just increase its growth since it already has a foothold. I would back it down for a week and excel to kill it off.

I really think it's more to do with your CO2 jumping around to much and not being consistent during the hours your lights are on. Take a look here that is more light then I think then anyone ever used and the tank looks great.