Thread Algae In New Set Up

[Slider]

I have just planted up a 75gl tank and within a week I've had an outburst of what I think is thread algae - perhaps someone can confirm

I have started to mechanically remove the algae either by hand or using a small brush and scraping the glass sides
I have cut the light down to a 4-2-4 daily routine and carried out a 30% water change. However, the algae is continuing to grow.

The set up consists of:

• 4' 75g tank
• 4 x 54w T5 daylight tubes originally on for 5hrs (off 2) on for a further 5
• Pressurised CO2 system - current pH is 7.3 although is falling again following water change. (Was 7.0 before water change)
• The KH is steady at 9.5
• Plain 3mm gravel average substrate depth 2" front, 4"+ rear
• Tropica Plant Substrate
• Tropica Plant Nutrition+ dosing weekly but only half the recommended levels
• The tank was heavily planted with over 200 plants including ludwigia, hygrophilia, cabomba, crypts, rotala, swords, vallis.
• I am not using EI

The tank is not yet stocked with fish
NO2, NO3, PO4 readings are negligible.

The question is, if I persevere with removing the algae as I'm currently doing, and waiting for the plants to establish, which hopefully they will do, will the algae die back or do I need to do something more drastic

TIA

 

[Themuleous]

You've got a lot of light not to be doing EI I make it 216W which is over 2WPG, how heavily planted is the tank? I think you need to add some PO4 and NO3 and get the CO2 up to 30ppm.

Sam

 

[nicklfire]

have you checked out the pinned article on algae all of this has been covered
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=106371

if you need more help after that then as away :0

 

[Slider]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I am following the suggestions laid out in the pinned article and the algae situation has improved a lot over the last couple of days. I have started to dose with ferts again today (half dose) in an attempt to get the NO3 and PO4 up. The plants are still growing strongly and are starting to dominate the tank so am hopeful that they will get the upper hand. If any one has any further ideas or suggestions to pass on please add to the thread.

 

[George Farmer]

Hi Adrian,

Sort the following three issues and you should be ok.

Light -

A big one this. You do have a lot of light, 2wpg HO T5 is high-light. I recommend running just 2x54w for 9 hours straight with a midday burst (all 4x54w) for 3 hours, so 3-3-3. You'll need two plug-in-timers, of course.

Siestas are only useful for low CO2 issues, as the CO2 builds during the dark period.

CO2 -

30ppm is the magic no. You have no fish so there's no reason why you can't go much higher. Invest in a permanent CO2 checker and 4dKH ref. solution to ensure you're getting good CO2. pH/KH charts/kits are unreliable.

Ferts -

You're adding NP via Tropica Nutrition+ so "traditional" EI isn't necessary. Personally I'd dose it daily at approx. 10ml per day. Then change 50% water weekly, do 2 or 3x water changes per week until the algae has cleared.

This is basically EI but without the dry ferts.

Manually remove as much algae as possible, keep up CO2, ferts and water changes and I'm sure you'll have an algae-free garden in no time.

Good luck!

 

[sophos9]

Hi

There may be some info in this thread that could help...?

 

[Slider]

Guys - thanks for your help and support; it's much appreciated
George - thanks for your advice - I'll put these actions into place straight away.