Thread algae HELLLP!

[toddziegler]

I just broke down a 10 gallon tank and sterilized it, to get rid of a thread algae problem. How ever, I could not get rid of it all on the plants. The tank is fully cycled and I already made adjustments to the fertilizer parameters. I have been dosing excel. It is not really visible unless you get up close to the tank but it is growing fast. I do 2 water changes per week and I have r/o water that I set to a standard 6°-7°gh. I have read some contradicting advice about iron and phosphate levels. My phosphate levels are about 1 ppm and my iron is about 1 ppm. Please give me some more advice. I know a little bit of algae comes with the territory (I get that) but I don't want it to become a problem like it was before I broke the tank down.

[JoraaÑ]

Read Further here

[Aquatic Delight]

thanks for that link:-)

[Complexity]

In my experience, thread algae is usually caused by high lighting. To fix the root cause, you need to either lower your lighting or increase your CO2 and be certain you are dosing EI ferts. Also, it helps to have a healthy plant mass instead of sparse planting.

Another link that might be helpful. I find H2O2 works well for killing existing algae. http://www.gpodio.com/h2o2.asp

[DishyFishy]

Nerite snails are great for keeping you algae free. And they won't breed in fresh water!

[Complexity]

Originally Posted by DishyFishy

Nerite snails are great for keeping you algae free. And they won't breed in fresh water!

But they leave a ton of white eggs everywhere.

[aweeby]

I dosed 1 ml of h2o2 per gallon in my 5g tank nightly for 4 days, increased my co2 and upped dosage to EI levels. This took care of the thread algae pretty well. the tank itself wasn't cycled or balanced at the time, so that may have something to do with it.