My Algae Experience
Hi all,
I've been having a bit of an issue with algae (hair/thread and BBA/GBA) over the last few months and I think I have some ideas on where I've gone wrong (lots to choose from). I'm hoping I can get some feedback so I'll try and detail my setup as clearly as possible with my action plan to address the algae. The tank started early September so its 7 months old now. I've been dry dosing as 2 to 3 time per week based my calculations the following.
KNO3 = 7g
KH2PO4 = 1.4g
K2SO4 = 10g (started to leave this out completely)
Plantex = 5.5g
Mg2SO4 = 24g at water change only (started to leave this out)
Equilibrium = 1tsp at water change only
Water make up
pH = ~6.8
GH = 1.6meq/l
KH = 1.0meq/l
The specs.
• 120 Gallon 2x4x2
• ADA Amazonia II with peat mixed in the first inch or so. The substrate is graded from front (2.5") to back (6-8") with several large seiryu stones
• 8 x 54 watt Tek light however only running center bank for 8hrs at a distance of 12-14" above the water
• Closed loop system with 1100 gph pump pushing through 3 parallel runs with an estimated 600-800gph through put.
• 3 Nu Clear canisters
1 x bio
1 x 100micron + carbon
1 x 25micron
• Vortech MP40 for circulation
• Inline heater
• Inline 4" micro diffuser for CO2 running through 15' of flex for good absorption
• Inline temp and CO2 probe just after the pump and a drop checker
• Neptune Apex controller
• Plumbed to the house for easy water changes (typ. 50-60% weekly)
Fish
20 Cardinals
10 Rummy Nose
6 Otto Cat
6 Galaxy Rasbora
1 Amono Shrimp
Plants
Several varieties of stems
Staurogyne as foreground
I have good circulation, maybe even too much. CO2 has been on the edge of the fish tolerance and is easily maxed out. Since I have the Neptune Controller I can get graphs of the CO2 levels and see that it reaches decent levels before lights are on. For reference the peak pH at night/morning is ~7.1 to 7.2 and by lights on its about 6.2. I don't think I can improve on this much.
I haven't been very diligent with trimming but it hasen't been too out of control either. It might be the cause, sometimes I've done a complete reset on all the stems which could also be an issue. I'll follow a trim immediately with a water change but likely should do one again a day or two after. Sometimes I don't since things usually look fine. Likely source again I imagine and a area to improve.
I also think my dosing is a problem since I came across a calculator that suggests slightly different amounts shown below
KNO3 = 4.16g vs 7
KH2PO4 = .812g vs 1.4
K2SO4 = 5.69g vs 10
Plantex = 2.6g vs 5.5
Mg2SO4 = 17g 2-3 times/week vs 24 x 1
Equilibrium = 13g 2-3 times/week vs 2g x 1
One other area that might have started this all was my circulation. The Vortech that I purchased had a rattle which I couldn't tolerate so I got a replacement. That one wouldn't work so I then got another that finally worked. The whole process was a bit of a problem and took months to resolve. I bought it in the US and I live in Canada so there were some logistics which made it a challenge. So for a period I had less then desirable circulation which may have been a trigger.
Either way...I'm inclined to hang in there and patiently try various things to correct the issue. Eventually I'll get there and when I do a complete reset, I'll likely have better success.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thanks again.
Roland
Hi all,
I've been having a bit of an issue with algae (hair/thread and BBA/GBA) over the last few months and I think I have some ideas on where I've gone wrong (lots to choose from). I'm hoping I can get some feedback so I'll try and detail my setup as clearly as possible with my action plan to address the algae. The tank started early September so its 7 months old now. I've been dry dosing as 2 to 3 time per week based my calculations the following.
KNO3 = 7g
KH2PO4 = 1.4g
K2SO4 = 10g (started to leave this out completely)
Plantex = 5.5g
Mg2SO4 = 24g at water change only (started to leave this out)
Equilibrium = 1tsp at water change only
Water make up
pH = ~6.8
GH = 1.6meq/l
KH = 1.0meq/l
The specs.
• 120 Gallon 2x4x2
• ADA Amazonia II with peat mixed in the first inch or so. The substrate is graded from front (2.5") to back (6-8") with several large seiryu stones
• 8 x 54 watt Tek light however only running center bank for 8hrs at a distance of 12-14" above the water
• Closed loop system with 1100 gph pump pushing through 3 parallel runs with an estimated 600-800gph through put.
• 3 Nu Clear canisters
1 x bio
1 x 100micron + carbon
1 x 25micron
• Vortech MP40 for circulation
• Inline heater
• Inline 4" micro diffuser for CO2 running through 15' of flex for good absorption
• Inline temp and CO2 probe just after the pump and a drop checker
• Neptune Apex controller
• Plumbed to the house for easy water changes (typ. 50-60% weekly)
Fish
20 Cardinals
10 Rummy Nose
6 Otto Cat
6 Galaxy Rasbora
1 Amono Shrimp
Plants
Several varieties of stems
Staurogyne as foreground
I have good circulation, maybe even too much. CO2 has been on the edge of the fish tolerance and is easily maxed out. Since I have the Neptune Controller I can get graphs of the CO2 levels and see that it reaches decent levels before lights are on. For reference the peak pH at night/morning is ~7.1 to 7.2 and by lights on its about 6.2. I don't think I can improve on this much.
I haven't been very diligent with trimming but it hasen't been too out of control either. It might be the cause, sometimes I've done a complete reset on all the stems which could also be an issue. I'll follow a trim immediately with a water change but likely should do one again a day or two after. Sometimes I don't since things usually look fine. Likely source again I imagine and a area to improve.
I also think my dosing is a problem since I came across a calculator that suggests slightly different amounts shown below
KNO3 = 4.16g vs 7
KH2PO4 = .812g vs 1.4
K2SO4 = 5.69g vs 10
Plantex = 2.6g vs 5.5
Mg2SO4 = 17g 2-3 times/week vs 24 x 1
Equilibrium = 13g 2-3 times/week vs 2g x 1
One other area that might have started this all was my circulation. The Vortech that I purchased had a rattle which I couldn't tolerate so I got a replacement. That one wouldn't work so I then got another that finally worked. The whole process was a bit of a problem and took months to resolve. I bought it in the US and I live in Canada so there were some logistics which made it a challenge. So for a period I had less then desirable circulation which may have been a trigger.
Either way...I'm inclined to hang in there and patiently try various things to correct the issue. Eventually I'll get there and when I do a complete reset, I'll likely have better success.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thanks again.
Roland