[Jah410]

Hi guys,

I feel like I'm in a perpetual algae cycle 😕.

Anyways I'm trying to salvage some rotala wallichii that was growing like crazy. It has probably grown 3 inches in the week that I've had it but now it's getting choked out by some kind of fuzz or power algae. The tops are showing light deficiency now.

I tried using a tooth brush to swipe off the alage but it's stuck on the needles. How does one go about saving needle plants when they get coated in alage like this?

I have a serious detritus and nitrate problem even though I have very good husbandry for the tank and it's densely planted. I decided to buy a new filter (a cannister) where I can fit more filter materials. I've not had enough space in my hob to add mechanical filtration, bio filtration, and purigen so hopefully this will allow me to pack some mechanical filter and filter floss in to combat the problem. I'm hoping that will help with the algae issue...

 

[Eric Tran]

I think you answered your problem. Getting a new filter was a good idea. I would get rid of all the detritus through water changes. Algae loves unclean tanks.

 

[en7jos]

Possible to send in some shrimp as a clean up crew perhaps?

 

[Tiger15]

Any light weight algae eaters such as Ottos, snails and dwarf shrimp will help. SAE, Molly and live bearers that hover over while grazing also do well. Sucker mouth catfish such as gara and britlenose while superb algae eaters on hard surfaces will sink delicate stems and don't work well.

 

[fish+plants]

Sometimes a toothbrush!