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168 Posts
HI all,
I've been fighting this dark algae for quite a while. I've posted a link to an outside gallery. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think. I realize that most of it is GSA - which I can't seem to shake. But look at the black stuff on the Valisneria... I get that on my Crypts too, however, I had just recently pruned a bunch of them so I didn't have any good examples to take pictures of... Is something just happening to the GSA that makes it turn black? The reason why I think no, is because I still get the black junk even if the GSA is under control. Typically, GSA isn't a big problem, but I've been mucking about for the last 2 months really trying to beat this black stuff... My PO4 must be a little low.
I guess what I don't understand is why some parts of the tank are pristine, and other parts of the tank look awful. Is it because the otos take care of the better looking parts, but avoid the high flow areas or areas where the angel might be aggressive?
http://jrmiller.smugmug.com/gallery/7078873_3XLrj/1/#453695540_QqgGT-A-LB
The algae seems to occur in the higher flow areas of the tank and not so much in the low flow areas of the tank. Does that make sense at all to any of you?
Sorry for the lack of a pleasing aquascape... I'm still new at this, and school has been eating up all my time lately.
Tank specs:
I've been fighting this dark algae for quite a while. I've posted a link to an outside gallery. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think. I realize that most of it is GSA - which I can't seem to shake. But look at the black stuff on the Valisneria... I get that on my Crypts too, however, I had just recently pruned a bunch of them so I didn't have any good examples to take pictures of... Is something just happening to the GSA that makes it turn black? The reason why I think no, is because I still get the black junk even if the GSA is under control. Typically, GSA isn't a big problem, but I've been mucking about for the last 2 months really trying to beat this black stuff... My PO4 must be a little low.
I guess what I don't understand is why some parts of the tank are pristine, and other parts of the tank look awful. Is it because the otos take care of the better looking parts, but avoid the high flow areas or areas where the angel might be aggressive?
http://jrmiller.smugmug.com/gallery/7078873_3XLrj/1/#453695540_QqgGT-A-LB
The algae seems to occur in the higher flow areas of the tank and not so much in the low flow areas of the tank. Does that make sense at all to any of you?
Sorry for the lack of a pleasing aquascape... I'm still new at this, and school has been eating up all my time lately.
Tank specs:
- EI dosing using homemade solution w/ dry ferts - I add Mg to the macros but not Ca, water is pretty hard around here
- CSM+B for micros (I do have a full bottle of Fluorish, and Fluorish Iron sitting around if that would help)
- regular dose of excel every other day
- 29G
- Eco-complete
- Eheim classic canister
- 2x36 w T5 Normal output coralife 30'' fixtures - only running 1 currently until I get this black algae figured out; I've played with photo period but to no avail; it is at 8.5 hours currently. A new canopy plus 2 24" T5HO giesemann's have a piggy bank that is about halfway there budget wise.
- pressurized CO2 - bubbles are fed into intake on eheim - 1 bps, seems if I go any higher it really stresses the fish
- I have a powerhead in the tank to occasionally blow O2 into the tank to clear up the surface crud.
- The airstone you see used to be on a timer to clear up the surface crud, I really only keep it there in case of a CO2 emergency...
- 7 H. Rasboras
- 1 Koi Angel
- 5 Green Cories
- 2 Otos