Attack of brown diatom algae

I'm seriously frustrated people. Over this past week, the algae has become exponentially worse. I'm at a loss. Let me start with my fertilization regime. I'm using PPS-Pro. While reading the instructions again this week, I discovered that the suggested dose was based on a "heavily planted" tank. I immediately scaled the dose back to 1/4 of what I was using. Despite this cutback, the algae is getting worse. What is hard to understand is why, when I test for nitrates, I'm measuring approx 10ppm. PO4 is measuring zero. How the hell s that even possible? I even went as far as to create a calibration fluid for both NO3 and PO4 to make sure my test kits were okay.

I'm running CO2 at about 25ppm. I have good flow. I'm doing a 50% W/C every week. What else? I now have a total total of 19 Nerite Snails, 2 Ottos and several shrimp. What is surprising is how difficult this algae is to get off leaves. I tried a toothbrush tonight on some of the leaves and literally could not get this fuzzy crap off. I'm wondering why the clean up crew isn't removing it either.

So to date, I've spent $55 on plants bought from other members. I ordered another $35 from Adam C yesterday. I just don't know if I should keep adding more plants. Am I just wasting money? I'm out of ideas. Probably have over $1500 into my little planted tank adventure and have nothing to show for it but frustration.

More likely BBA

I've been doing a lot of reading over the past several days including some threads by Hoppy and Tom Barr discussing problem algae. Clearly an age old problem. Very good reading though and I have come to one clear conclusion. I have too much light in my tank. I consider the 3 bigs to be light, nutrients and CO2. Of the three though, light (in excess) is the leading culprit of algae.

When I set up this freashwater planted tank (my first btw) I wanted the best of everything. GLA CO2, GLA ferts, and the brightest LED light I could find. The Ray2 does what it says it does. Provides bright white (and white only) light at PARs near 50 at the bottom of my 21" deep tank. The problem here is that, with only 8 starter clippings, that is a lot of excess energy being wasted and being made available to algae. It will make no difference whether I raise my CO2 to 80ppm if there is nothing in the tank to absorb it. The dropper at greenish yellow, ferts dosed daily and a lot of light and still strong algae growth. Something has to give. I originally had the lights on for 10 hours. Then 8. Now I've been doing 6 hours with a 3 hour break in the middle. IMO, I believe the next thing to try is either replace the Ray2 with a Planted Plus (or equivalent) or diffuse the light in some manner. Perhaps a layer of toilet paper. I can't raise it. The fixture itself sits directly on the glass. I'm not sure if toilet paper between two pieces of glass is safe or not. Seeking suggestions on this.

I believe the algae type is BBA based on comparisons I've seen. Today I removed most of these newly rooted plants and sprayed them with H202 outside the tank. a last ditch effort to remove most of this before more new plants arrive Tuesday. I am not one to give up but I can certainly see why so so many people do. The last thing I wanted to do was start a hobby where I literally killed the inhabitants. Sigh.....

Thank you for the replies. I understand there is a big difference between brown diatom and BBA. I believe I had both. As you said, the brown is easily controlled. I bought Amano shrimp, two Otocinclus, and 15 Nerite Snails. After adding the cleanup crew, the majority of the algae cleared immediately. What is left are these small patches of dense short tufts, mostly accumulated on the Java Fern, but also some patches on the Bacopa Caroliniana. None of the cleanup crew will touch these. As I mentioned last night, I took out some of these plants and sprayed them with hydrogen peroxide and let them sit for approximately one minute. Then I rinsed them with RO and put them back in my tank. The plants that I sprayed last night look much better today. Not all of the patches came off but the majority did; especially where it was sparse. I am going to look for one of these Siamese algae eaters that I've heard others mention as well. Apparently it is hit and miss with these fish but I will certainly try it if it will work.

I have decided to halve the fertilizers until the cause of the algae can be determined and brought under control. As User Aqbil stated, eight clippings with no roots would be likely considered having virtually no plants at all. When I took out the Ludwigia last night to spray them, both of the plants already had a substantial root growing. Hopefully I did not make matters worse by uprooting them. They looked so bad though, I believe they would have likely perished within a month or so due to all the leaves being covered in BBA. I am due to receive another 25 clippings tomorrow and I'm hoping this will make an impact.

Is there anyone out there that can provide some guidance on diffusing the light that this Ray2 puts out? When I bought the Ray2, it was based on the advice of a Finnex rep that told me it was the strongest light available to reach the bottom of my 24 inch tank. He didn't lie but I am finding that this light is much too strong for what I have in the tank right now. I am going to order the Planted Plus and hold on to the Ray2 until I have enough plants in my tank to absorb all that light. Again, i'm just not sure if I will start a fire by using toilet paper in between the Ray2 and the glass of the tank.