[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.

 

[the_Chad]

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

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

 

[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?

 

[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).