[Gargoyle]

I have this very thin and light looking algae. It is attached to my plants and glass in places, I am not worried about the glass but I don't want it on my plants. Any ideas on how I can get rid of this ?

Tank Specs.

55 Gallon Fresh water Planted (I'd call it moderately)
18 smaller fish (2.5 inches or less adult size)
Dose Excel (1 capful per day 5 capfuls after 50% weekly WC)
Drop checker always showing green
DIY C02 set up dual bottle (misting presently)
Temp 78
PH 7.2
GH 11
KH 6
Amm 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0-5
Lighting 108 watts T5 HO for about 6-8 hours 6700K then 1 to 2 hours of 216 watts 2x6700K 2x10000K
Good pearling all day long
Heavy Oxygenation at night
C02 runs 24 - 7

Thanks for any help. Please I am pretty new to this higher light style tank so please keep it simple for me. I would like to have the easiest approach possible to allow me time to enjoy the tank as well..

[tedr108]

Check out this thread and go to the linked article:

Basic algae article from Dusko

Find your algae in the pics. Each picture has some good information along with it ... you will know what causes your algae and what you can do to get rid of it.

Personally, I don't know much about the Excel method ... so I'm no help there. It may not be great that your nitrates get to 0ppm on occasion, however.

[VaughnH]

You didn't mention what fertilizers you use or what method you use for scheduling fertilizing. With T5 bulbs, if they have individual reflectors, there is some evidence that they are as good as 1.5 times the wattage of power compact bulbs, such a AH Supply light kits. That would mean you are running very high light intensity, even with the 108 watts, let alone with the 216 watts. With that much light you have to have high CO2 levels and have them the same every day. It isn't likely that DIY CO2 will allow you to do that. The drop checker being green: is it filled with 4 dKH distilled or deionized water? And, do you replace that water every week or two? You need to do that to be able to trust the drop checker. In addition you need very good water circulation in the tank to get that CO2 available to all of the plants all of the time. What filtration do you have and do you use a powerhead for more water circulation? Last, do you clean the filter every couple of weeks?

[Gargoyle]

1) I don't use anything at this point other than Excel and DIY CO2. I have no ferts or dosing schedule for them. I just dose the Excel once a day, everyday.

2) The T5's do not have individual reflectors but one large metal one that looks like a mirror. It's a marineland fixture.

3) The drop checker fluid gets changed once a week with my 50% WC. I did the PH KH calculations and come up with about 18ppm of C02 that way.

4) Filtration is a Magnum 350 with outlet on on end and pickup on the other. The pickup is very low, The Drop checker is on the opposite side of the tank in relation to the power head I have dispersing it. The power head is an old Aqua Clear 210 with filter, the C02 is being misted presently. I get good pearling during lights on time.


Just from answering your questions it looks like my C02 is not high enough for the lighting I have. So at this point I have 2 options, Increase C02 output or Decrease lighting intensity or duration.

Let me know if I am on the right track or if there is more I should do at this point.

I am thinking I need to stop misting and possibly try diffusion for a week or so ???

Thanks!!