Algae Problem....Lack of fertilizer? - Page 2 - Fertilizing

PlantsGlora · 08-22-2006, 09:32 AM

Wow, just tested the PO4 didn't even register >10ppm. I think I'll back off the PO4 for the rest of the week. I'll try to get it between 3-5 ppm

PlantsGlora · 08-22-2006, 09:38 AM

Hoppy- Thanks for the input. I've heard to flux ur photoperiod like that because it takes lesser level plants (algaes) more than three hours to begin to photosynthesize. So if you break your photoperiods in three hours segments theoritically your algae should die because it won't have a chance to photosynthesize? I'm going to greatly reduce the amount of PO4 I've been dosing. I don't want to kill my discus, afterall I just spent 350 on them!

Thanks for the input....I hope to hear lots more!

John N. · 08-22-2006, 10:28 AM

Interesting theory, though I am not sure how true or effective that is against controlling algae growth. If lights are on for 3 hours segments, algae won’t photosynthesize, but neither will plants either. When plants don’t grow well or reach optimal levels of photosynthesis (which takes about 3 hours to reach), algae has a knack for adapting to lesser conditions and will thrive in place of the poor growth of plants.

I’m in favor of providing 8-9 hours of continuous for plants to photosynthesize. This is after all reflective of what happens in nature.

-John N.

Bert H · 08-22-2006, 10:43 AM

I'm not in favor of that on/off stuff either. As with everything, there are folks who do it, and swear by it, I'm just not one of them. As John mentions, it's not only the algae that gets put on/off, it's also the plants. Why turn off the engine just when it's running at full steam? I think you're better served by lowering your total lighting time, than by the on/off. Of course, ymmv.

PlantsGlora · 08-22-2006, 11:35 AM

Honestly, I haven't noticed much change in the amount of algae, however, I have noticed that much of the blue-green algae has died. This is probablya result of the resent increase in KNO3 to my fert prog.

I'll reset my timer for 9 hour photoperiods and decrease the amount of PO4 I add to the tank.

Anyone else have any idea as to why I haev so much filamentous and GSA?

Thanks for all the help guys and gals!! My tank thanks you!