Is removal unavoidable?

[underground]

Unforunately I've been injecting CO2 and giving 2WPG lighting with no regard to dosing ferts, as until I came across this site I was, well, ignorant of the need when using an enriched substrate.

Consequently I have an algae problem. Since quite a lot of my plants have some degree of algae in one form or another, and the tank is nicely arranged otherwise, I'm reluctant to start uprooting everything and taking leaves off all over, there may be nothing left if I do.

So I'm wondering if manually pulling off algae as far as possible, and blacking out prior to starting an EI regime, would be OK?

The main reason for not wanting to wreck the tank is becaus emy wife will go bananas if I do

 

[JadeButterfly]

Re: Is removal unavoidable?

I have glosso carpet that covers 80% of my tank.

60% of the glossos were infected with hair algae prior to joining this site.
after dosing EI.

I pruned only 1/5 of my tank each week.

once I got EI going...algae stop growing...and the plants start growing.

by the 5th week, i've finished clearing out all the algae...and the plants I've pruned before all grew out really quick.

I've not sighted algae on my plants for a month...
again, two thumbs up for Tom and the rest.

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Is removal unavoidable?

Consequently I have an algae problem. Since quite a lot of my plants have some degree of algae in one form or another, and the tank is nicely arranged otherwise, I'm reluctant to start uprooting everything and taking leaves off all over, there may be nothing left if I do.

So I'm wondering if manually pulling off algae as far as possible, and blacking out prior to starting an EI regime, would be OK?

The main reason for not wanting to wreck the tank is becaus emy wife will go bananas if I do

A blackout will only address BGA algae.
Manual is great!
It worsk and is a lot of work, but if you correct things, then it's a one time job and everythings great unless you neglect the tank.
The substrate alone is not going to make or break a tank but it will help.
I'd let things go as they are, prune good, leave most of the leaves etc, then start EI, take off old leaves as the news ones come it. This might take about 3-4 weeks to get all of them but will do no harm to the plants.

After manually removing algae, take a net and fluff up any detrital matter and remove.

Clean filters, keep CO2 up and dose 2-3x a week.

Just make sure you do not pissed the spouse off. That's worse than any algae issue.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[underground]

Re: Is removal unavoidable?

I'll breathe a shallow sigh of relief! Thanks Jade and Tom

Tom, just another question- right now, given the situation, should I keep up CO2 and the same lighting until I can commence EI? I was hoping to have some stuff from Greg but it might be a little while till I can now (also due to spouse)....

Or do what I have done just now, turn off CO2 and go down to 18W of Juwel lighting?

(that was because I got a bit low on pH after trying to up CO2 a bit too far earlier today)