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Combating Algae In A Planted Tank


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#1 Westie

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Posted 01 December 2015 - 06:38 PM

I've  decided to do a journal on my plan to combat algae in my planted 6 footer

 

this is what the tank currently looks like:

image_zpsqhku64ep.jpeg

 

and a close up of a BBA infested anubias:

image_zps5q8tarkd.jpeg

 

When I had the 1 x 5 foot LED light on this tank, all the plants were doing fine. I decided to add a second 5 foot LED light, so it would eliminate and dark spots in the tank, since the tank is 1 foot longer than the light unit. The problem with increased lighting is it (in this case) has created a lot of algae in this tank. The inside of the glass needs a scrub every coupe  of weeks, and half the plants are covered in BBA. 

 

I decided to take steps to try and control (and hopefully eliminate) the unsightly algae. Here are the steps I have taken so far:

 

1. reduced the time the lighting is on

2. added a large bristlenose catfish to the tank. Hopefully this will help keep the glass clean

3. use No More Black Beard by Aqua Pics when I do my next water change

image_zpsucim7olv.jpeg

4. Added co2 from Aquotix

image_zpsvlyba1oj.jpeg

 

The No More Black Beard by Aqua Pics is from Tech Den. I hope that helps. Label states to add 5ml to 50 litres of well aerated water. 

image_zpsejerrw2o.jpeg

 

and contains Polyglutaraldahyde (say that 3 times fast... I dare ya!)

image_zpskxyvzfhm.jpeg

 

the co2 system that I got is the Ista 3L co2 bottle with Ista dual guage regulator (see pic above), Ista ph controller (a must for a co2 system IMO), as well as co2 tubing (not the cheap airline, but the co2 line), Ista stainess steel check valve, and up-aqua inline diffuser. I had a couple of these diffusers, but decided to only use one and give the other away.

 

I've got the Ista co2 controller set at 6.80 PH, and its sitting up the back of the cupboard like so:

image_zps6lymg9ug.jpeg

 

Inline diffuser is on the outlet hose of one of my Astro 2212 canister filters:

image_zpscdsunaer.jpeg

 

Hopefully this will help control the algae, and I will post updates as I go

I'm also hoping that the co2 helps the plants start to thrive. It will be interesting to see how long the 3 litre co2 bottle lasts as well 



#2 malawiman85

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Posted 01 December 2015 - 08:16 PM

What was the damage for the co2 setup?

#3 Westie

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Posted 02 December 2015 - 08:36 AM

More than the cost of a new PS4, and enough to cause a decent argument with the Minister for Finances :rolleyes:



#4 kassysimon

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Posted 02 December 2015 - 07:18 PM

Ive never used that product but i think you may be fighting a losing battle.

 

To remove that type of algae the best method is a total blackout. Turn off all lights and wrap tank in black plastic for a week and leave it. The fish will be fine. Then after a week do a 50% water change.

 

Check all of your nutrient levels too, id say NO3 is probably really high. 

 

I dont think CO2 will help as its better used for keeping at bay than removing algae IF all other elements are with the correct range, I.e., nutrients and light.



#5 MrLeifBeaver

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 03:52 PM

How long do you keep your lights on?

My algae issues dramatically improved when I changed the lights to 4.30pm to 10.30pm daily (6hrs only).



#6 Westie

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 03:58 PM

both lights are on a timer for 6 hours a day

3 hours in the morning, and 3 hours in the afternoon



#7 kassysimon

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 04:04 PM

Light spectrum is also an issue. Aim for 6500K. If you have "daylight" colored lighting you have the wrong spectrum for plants and the right spectrum for algae.


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#8 Westie

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 06:16 PM

The lights used are two of these from Aquotix:
http://www.aquariumo...it-150cm-white/

#9 kassysimon

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 06:21 PM

"Super bright white" typically refers to 10000K plus.
So wrong kelvin hence algae bloom.
You need around 6500k.


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#10 Westie

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Posted 06 December 2015 - 05:47 PM

The ISTA LED light is about 8000k I believe. Good enough to get crypts to carpet at 2 foot high, so definitely a plant friendly light

Today I noticed my co2 was working hard, so I checked the controller and the ph dropped to 6.0 (from 7.0) and the fish were gasping at the surface. I unplugged the co2 and did a 50% water change. The controller is set at 6.8 so I'm not sure what happened there. I obviously buggered something up, as it was working sweet for a week.

I was going to recalibrate the controller, and thought I would plug the co2 back in first to read the ph off the controller. I got a reading from the controller, then tried to take the hood off. When I put my hand on the hood, it sounded like the co2 regulator was making a machine gun noise. I moved my hand away from the hood, and the noise stopped. I put my hand on the hood again, and the co2 made another machine gun noise. I then unplugged the co2 and took the hood off. No more machine gun noise.

I think I will leave the co2 unplugged and pop in to the shop and get the experts to check it.

#11 sandgroper

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Posted 06 December 2015 - 09:52 PM

Are you certain it's a  ISTA co2 and not a ISIS because that would explain why it's shooting at ya.



#12 LexAgate

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Posted 07 December 2015 - 07:01 AM

ISIS jokes begin... Prepare yourself Attached File  ImageUploadedByTapatalk1449442906.723708.jpg   88.13KB   20 downloads

#13 sandgroper

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Posted 07 December 2015 - 04:42 PM

Seems fair, since they hack our heads.



#14 LexAgate

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Posted 08 December 2015 - 11:10 AM

Sandgroper I think we're going to be friends haha

#15 Rovik

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Posted 08 December 2015 - 12:18 PM

Avoid split period lighting, in my experience, it only leads to poor plant growth and an increase level of algae. You need to emulate nature with a single photo period equivalent to what they receive in nature. 8-10 hours is sufficient for most plants. Chuck your lights on a timer so this is consistent.

#16 Delapool

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Posted 09 December 2015 - 07:21 AM

Just for interest, I started trying to track back where the idea came from. Only very quickly since I'm on the train but I wonder if it started off for low light or DIY CO2 tanks where giving time for CO2 to recover might make sense?


http://www.plantedta...s/142652?page=1

http://www.barrrepor...iesta-pros-cons

Craig.

Edited by Delapool, 09 December 2015 - 07:29 AM.


#17 Westie

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Posted 09 December 2015 - 09:02 AM

The lights are already on timers, and I have the split lighting period (not for any siesta period) but so I have the lights on for me to look at the tank before I go to work, and after I get home from work, without giving the tank too much light. I will adjust the timer to be the one lighting period and see if that helps.

 

Thanks for the links on the split lighting period Craig.

 

Hey Rov, any idea why the co2 was doing the machine gun sound?



#18 malawiman85

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Posted 09 December 2015 - 06:17 PM

How goes the treatment?

#19 Westie

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Posted 09 December 2015 - 08:34 PM

Haven't done the treatment yet. I know, I'm lazy....

#20 malawiman85

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Posted 09 December 2015 - 08:47 PM

Unbelievable...




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