[Wet Thumb Forum]-just a little algae - Fertilizing

imported_russell · 09-15-2004, 07:39 PM

hi guys

i bought a 30 gallon aquaruim a couple of months ago, and it was used. the poeple didnt have a clue how to keep one up. when i got it, it was covered in algae. i was an idiot and washed the rocks and reused them. now i have some algae growing along the inside of the tubes of my undergravel filter.

what algae medication can i use that is plant safe?

imported_russell · 09-15-2004, 07:39 PM

hi guys

i bought a 30 gallon aquaruim a couple of months ago, and it was used. the poeple didnt have a clue how to keep one up. when i got it, it was covered in algae. i was an idiot and washed the rocks and reused them. now i have some algae growing along the inside of the tubes of my undergravel filter.

what algae medication can i use that is plant safe?

FISA · 09-16-2004, 10:17 AM

I dont think any medication is plant safe...usually if your water quality is good, good lighting and Co2 the plants should out complete algae for nutirients...

i have heard there a medication called algone and it claims to be plant safe...but you will need
to ask someone that is an expert to see if it is really safe...

other than that get plants that grow quickly and get rid of algae.

imported_russell · 09-16-2004, 11:38 AM

i am trying to out compete it right now, but it seems like it is worsening.

Hawkeye · 09-16-2004, 01:30 PM

What I do on a new use tank before I set it up is a bleach bath. That will kill off all the algae and other critters that might be lurking around, but lets see if we can get your new tank under control. First we need to no some stuff about your set up.

What kind of lights and how long you use them?
Are use dosing any fert and what?
What plants oar in the tank?
Have you done any water testing PH, NO3, PO4, KH and GH ?

Hawk

trenac · 09-17-2004, 03:11 AM

All Algone is is a nitrate/ammonia remover that clarafies your water. It is good to use in planted tanks if your readings are high on nitrate/ammonia.

There is a algaecide called AlgaeFix that is plant safe that will kill all types of algae.

However use these only if all other measures fail. If you get your nutrients, lighting, C02 in balance then you will have little algae; some algae in a planted tank is natural and will happen at times.

Answer Hawkeye's questions and we will better be able to help.

imported_russell · 09-20-2004, 04:03 PM

sorry it took so long.

i use jungle plant fizz tabs for fertilizer.

nitrite: .5
nitrate: 60
hardness: 150
Alkalinity: 60
PH: 7.1
ammonia: .15

these are my measurements from 9-16-04
what test kit do you guys use? this is all i have the stuff to measure.

im not sure what kind of light is currently on the tank. it gives off a slight purple glow. it has been on for a while, at least 6 months if not more, because i know that the other people who owned it didnt keep it up at all.

right now i have around 20 aponogeton, 4 water lillies, and 3 marimo moss balls. i will be getting around 8 bunches of dwarf hairgrass in a couple weeks

imported_russell · 09-20-2004, 04:07 PM

oh, and i run my lights for 12 hours. which i just realized could be the main thing. how long do you guys run your lights?

Hawkeye · 09-20-2004, 04:55 PM

12 hours could be a problem. I run mine 9-10 hours in my high tanks and only about 6-7 in low tech tanks. Some plants shut down after 10 hour so any thing longer just causes algae.

Hawk

imported_russell · 09-20-2004, 06:22 PM

sry, what would be considered low tech and high tech?

how do i know what mine is?