[the_Chad]

Just can't get this thing balanced. Algae for months with this thing. If I limit flow, I get one kind of algae (brown). With full water flow that stringy green algae develops. Plants grow good, just unable to control algae.

9.5 gallon long metal framed tank. (2 foot long X 6 inches wide X 1 foot deep)
2 foot Finnex FugRay planted + (now has mesh covering half light).
CO2 injected.
Fertilizer cut off for the time being.
Substrate fluorite black gravel.

Any ideas, suggestions appreciated.

 

[Agent69]

I hear ya! I put a powerhead in for water circulation and now im seeing green string algae on my plants.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[the_Chad]

I hear ya! I put a powerhead in for water circulation and now im seeing green string algae on my plants.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

I've installed a nano type inline UV sterilizer about a month ago. It has gotten rid of green water but that's it.

 

[BillV]

how long are you running your lights each day? Do you have a lot of plants to compete with algae for nutrients. How often do you do water changes? Toss some nerites in there to eat algae, they are good at it.

 

[DefStatic]

From what I understand, isn't this part of the after-cycle?

If I also recall, stopping and starting ferts is part of the problem.

 

[the_Chad]

how long are you running your lights each day? Do you have a lot of plants to compete with algae for nutrients. How often do you do water changes? Toss some nerites in there to eat algae, they are good at it.

I've been playing with lighting times. Currently running about 9 hours a day. I will try the Nerite snails.

From what I understand, isn't this part of the after-cycle?

It very well could be. The tank has been running for about 6 -8 months now.

If I also recall, stopping and starting ferts is part of the problem.

I've tried everything when it came to ferts. Researching algae's some suggestions will state, add this fert, reduce that one, ect... Eventually I just stopped using ferts all together.

 

[the_Chad]

I have noticed the largest algae growth change when I switched my lighting from an AquaTop LED (7,000K) to the Finnex Planted+ . Does anyone think the change in lighting triggered this?

 

[ctaylor3737]

That is probably the light change. Reduce your photo period and go from there. Should still dose ferts. If you just changed lights almost positive it's part of the reason.

-Chris

 

[pianofish]

Alot of times algae can actually be caused by lack of fertilizers. I would get on the Estimated index fert dosing plan, that would be your best bet to balance everything out. I would lower lighting period to about 7 hours for a few weeks while everything adjusts. Just make sure you do a solid %50 WC every week. I know you've had issues with Ferts, but I'm telling you perserverance and cosistancy are the best things in this hobby. If you being dosing EI method, and doing a single 50% WC every week, you will be golden. I know its not a very quick method. But this isn't a really quick hobby.
Vigilance!
Joshua

 

[devilduck]

Sounds like new tank syndrome. Looks like you have several tanks already so you should be pretty familiar. It maybe take a while to find the balance.

What are the dimensions of the tank? The planted + is a very powerful light, I just got a 30" planted + on my 29g and it puts my dual T5HO to shame. You'll may need to raise it or cut down to 6 hours of light.

You need to keep fertilizing. How much are you fertilizing before?

H2o2 and excel and some trimming makes short work of hair algae.

 

[the_Chad]

@ devilduck, tank dimensions are in OP I am aware the planted+ maybe a bit much. The tank is rather an odd shape and I am sure the LED light was designed for a larger tank. I have placed mesh on half the light to cut down on intensity. I have tried raising the light and cutting back lighting. I will start fertilizing again, and cut lighting back a bit.

Thanks for the input everyone. I do have other tanks- however, algae was a short stay for the other tanks. This one just won't clear.

I have a full array of fertilizers from animo-acids/vitamins to nitrogen and everything in between. And the tried and true flourish comprehensive stored in the back from the past. I will start dosing again, clean algae up, trim plants back and get some snails in there and stay consistent.

*fingers crossed

An old picture before I changed from the AquaTop LED to Finnex Planted+. I am hesitant to switch back because I believe the AquaTop is brighter. However, the planted plus has more plant growing power (correct spectrums).