GS on slow growing plants

[Skyfish]

How does one stop green spot/darg green velvet like algae on plants like Anubias, Java fern and even drift wood. Nutrients are in check using EI and Co2 well over 50 to 60ppm. Lights 144 watts 3 hours, HQI 300W 3 hours then back to 3 hours of 144w FL. There are no other visible algea, expect for a little green dust on the glass few days before wc.

green spot covers the anubias and drift wood fast.

Any takes?

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: GS on slow growing plants

Probably CO2, PO4 perhaps.
You can add more of both and see.

You can sprinkle the PO4 directly on the anubias when doing a water change when the plants are above water, this can kill the GSA, also, H3PO4 will also work as an alternative PO4 source.
Then fill the tank back up.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[jonathan11]

Re: GS on slow growing plants

Tom, any particular percentile solution of H3PO4 to use on the leaves?

:gw

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: GS on slow growing plants

I personally have not use it for this purpose.
It typically comes in 30%, I think that might be a bit harsh. 5% ought to do it. Works better than Bleach dips, some folks have tried excel without success.
Other's tried H2O2.

I've had little issue when the PO4 is high and the CO2 is stable.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Skyfish]

Re: GS on slow growing plants

Thank you Tom... I'll try the PO4 on the leaves and see how it turns out. Also increase the CO2. KH is stable at 4.5 and PH at 6.4 using a PH controler.

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: GS on slow growing plants

You can try a simple exeriment also with GSA.

Reduce the PO4 and or CO2 down for a few days.
You'll get a nice crust of GSA fairly quick.

That GSA will not leave even if you raise the levels back up as a general rule.
So you have fairly damaging(aesthetically anyway) algae crust formation with just a little perturbing of the parameters with Anubias. If you maintain things good, you do not get this. A number of ADA photo's have GSA on their Anubias.

Regards,
Tom Barr