Its still a problem

[specks]

In early March I asked your advice re; my algea problem. I have followed advice given but although I still have the algae it is much improved. I have lights on for 4hrs - off 2-3hrs - on 4hrs. I dont know the power of the lighting, its as purchased with tank - Juwel Rio 180ltr.
Water is as follows, ph - 6.8
kh - 3
gh - 16
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 25
amonia - 0
my sons tank has the same readings except his ph is 7.2 & his nitrate is 50. He has a slight build up of algae but it takes weeks before it is really noticeable. Mine appears daily, something attempts to clear it, either kuhli loaches, panda corys or a few snails however a few hours later its back. The algae in question is a bright emerald green, its easily cleaned from the plants ( live ) & the stones but I dont have the time to do it every day.
The only other difference in my tank & my sons is that I have live plants & he has fake. I dont know why our ph should vary as water comes from the same tap. Hope you havn't got bored reading this, have tried to give as much info as I could.

 

[R3GG]

I've had algae problems recently - although its not the same sort of algae. I've switched my lighting to 4hours on 4 hours off 4hours on and im not feeding for a week. Give your filter a clean, i now run an internal and external and the water is visibly cleaner and the algae just isnt climbing up the glass anymore. If you're adding fertiliser for the plants then stop. You might want to get a couple of otocinclus - they'll help clean up more effectively than your corys. If your tank has different fish in it to your sons then maybe yours produce more waste or you have more of them. Be patient, its highly annoying having algae, i know, but you have to give it time and do the right thing.

 

[specks]

Thanks R3GG. Sorry that you have had problems as well but its nice to know that its not just me. Ive added no fertiliser for the plants, filter sponges get a squeeze out in the tank water that I remove weekly. Ive got less fish than my son & I make sure that I dont overfeed them. ( no one else touches my tank either so I know they dont get too much.) The plants have all rooted well & apart from the algae are doing ok. The water is crystal clear. Guess I will just have to get my hands wet again.

 

[R3GG]

No probs, i've had a fair bit of help from people on here where algae is concerned. It sounds like you're doing the right thing. Keep removing the algae. I do as much mechanical removal as possible when i change my water. When cleaning the glass with my scraper i try to scrape the algae out rather than let it float off into the tank- i know it sucks getting your hands wet all the time but the stuff's gotta go!! It's good that you're not over feeding, it'd take a lot to starve your fish so dont be affraid to skip feeding for a day or two every now and then.
Good luck

 

[specks]

I am going to try & remove the top layer of gravel over the weekend, take out all the plants & stones & have a spring clean. Want to try & remove all traces of the algae. Will also miss a few feeds out & see how it goes. Thanks so much for your help R3GG.