algae ID.

Moby

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Dec 15, 2011
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Can anyone identify this algae? Seems like the green becomes brown over a time. Can't stop it. I have presurized steady CO2 level (25-30ppm).EI fertilization. 156W over my 46gal. bow front(3x39W 6700k, 1x39W 1000k), I even shortened light period from 9 to 6.5 hours.
 

dutchy

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Jul 6, 2009
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This is GSA. That's an easy one. Caused by low PO4, but also low CO2 plays a role. So bump up PO4 to around 3 ppm. But there's a delay. Even then it takes like two weeks before the algae stops growing, so have some patience. The old leaves won't recover, watch if the new growth stays algae free.

If it still remains, probably CO2 is too low, which could also be a cause here, because you're really using too much light on this tank. 2 bulbs is enough, at the most 3. Not the duration is the problem, but the intensity.

If you can't meet CO2 demand, algae is the consequence.
 
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dutchy

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Everything is in relation with each other. You can kill your fish and still have low CO2 in some places if water circulation or O2 levels are low. Assuming CO2 is ok, is the mistake that is made the most.