About a year ago I set up a Fluval spec tank. I mixed gravel with laterite substrate and planted it. There is a piece of driftwood in it. Plants were very happy and multiplying. The anubia I set up on the wood was popping a leaf once in a while.
I would change the water once in a while but mainly refill whatever would evaporate.
Now suddenly algae are taking over everything! The green fluffy kind.what is happening? I have tried reducing the "daytime" period but that did not help.
I have strips of test paper (5 tests in one). The nitrates are not 0 but still very low and no noticeable nitrite. Both levels are lower than from the tap. PH is quite acidic (tap water seems acidic too)
Total Population: 1 betta.( did one attempt with cherry shrimp but they only lasted a few months)
Take a look here, and try and identify which algae you're getting. Probably would be a good idea to do a large water change and manually remove as much as you can. I'm sure some experts will chime in.
All algae, and especially blue green algae is fond of too many nutrients in the water. I have a 2.5g nano with 5 ghost shrimp and many snails. If I feed the shrimp 1 flake each, per week, the water is crystal clear. One flake twice per week, still clear. One flake three times per week, algae bloom. Water changes are a good solution to my problem. I try to keep all my nanos with as little nutrients in the water as possible. I put 1 inch of Miracle Grow organic soil on the bottom, and cap with 1 inch of gravel or sand. As long as the nutrients are mainly in the substrate, no algae problem. Fiddling with the photoperiod also helps. I have one nano with only 1 small plant in it. The nutrients leach from the soil faster than this small plant can use it, so I get algae, and bacteria. I am going to put more plants in it on the weekend. Any tank with lots and lots of plants to use up the nutrients; crystal clear.
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