So, about 2.5 months ago I redid a 42 gal tank. I'm headed down the same road with stag-horn algae as I previously had, and it wiped out my plants. Everything gone. However that's not why I took the tank apart. I ended up with a drain-line issue on my overflow and had to rework the plumbing. But the return of the staghorn algae and the prospect of losing it all again is frustrating. I am keeping it in check right now with targeted H2O2 hits after water changes. But I know I need to figure out what about my conditions is favoring the growth of this pest. This time I am also getting luxurious green algal growth, which is less concerning to me, but may still help with the puzzle. I'm hoping if I list what I have going people can point out where I have gone awry. Thanks in advance!
-Tank components-
Low tech tank - no CO2 supplementation
Lights: cheap NICREW LED strip with white, red, blue and dimming running for 8 hours a day (no direct sunlight on tank)
Stock: 40+ N-class Endlers, 10-20 cherry shrimp, various pond snails
Flora: loads of Cabomba, small tiger water lily, 10 dwarf sagittaria, 4 Isoëtes, 2 large Anubias, 2 congo ferns, few Salvinia minima, 1 mat of buce, + some java moss around
Hardscape: Malaysian bogwood, "bluestone" from a local rockyard
Substrate: Seachem Flourite Black
Filtration: wet/dry sump rated to 150gal with biohome in the top and pumice below
-Water Parameters-
Temp: 23-24C
pH: 8.2
TDS: 120-130
Ammonia*: 0ppm
Nitrite*: 0ppm
Nitrate*: 0ppm
Phosphates*: 0-5ppm
GH*: 6
KH*: 4
Grain hardness: 7
*API test kit results FWIW.
If I have forgotten something let me know. Thanks in advance for any help.
-Tank components-
Low tech tank - no CO2 supplementation
Lights: cheap NICREW LED strip with white, red, blue and dimming running for 8 hours a day (no direct sunlight on tank)
Stock: 40+ N-class Endlers, 10-20 cherry shrimp, various pond snails
Flora: loads of Cabomba, small tiger water lily, 10 dwarf sagittaria, 4 Isoëtes, 2 large Anubias, 2 congo ferns, few Salvinia minima, 1 mat of buce, + some java moss around
Hardscape: Malaysian bogwood, "bluestone" from a local rockyard
Substrate: Seachem Flourite Black
Filtration: wet/dry sump rated to 150gal with biohome in the top and pumice below
-Water Parameters-
Temp: 23-24C
pH: 8.2
TDS: 120-130
Ammonia*: 0ppm
Nitrite*: 0ppm
Nitrate*: 0ppm
Phosphates*: 0-5ppm
GH*: 6
KH*: 4
Grain hardness: 7
*API test kit results FWIW.
If I have forgotten something let me know. Thanks in advance for any help.