Please help w/ Rhizoclonium, very frustrating!

[SpeedEuphoria]

I have been battling this ever since i set my tank up, seemed to be under control briefly but is now back.

Tank specs: Started on 8/1/08
55G used
Fluval 304
Good shoplight with 2x 6500K GE T8 bulbs, currently ODNO 2x, been playing with raising the light and started at 7hrs.
Schultz Aquatic soil substrate(caused ammonia spike at start up)
Fauna:
3 male Endlers
5 RCS
5 BN Plecos(largest is 1")
5 Oto's
5 Brigs snails

My tap is PH 8.0, API phosphate test says 2.0(not sure if its right?), My GH and KH from tap both said 20 but I have now misplaced the kit and i really want to retest the tank and tap.


Ferts:
Been dosing according to the non CO2 methods, but have to dose more N due to low fish load, also used a couple root tabs in the beginning but some got stirred up durring replanting. I believe my tap has high phosphates(2.0) but started getting GSA on 1 plant so I dont think the test kit actually works, need to calibrate it.

Other notes: I have a 10G with RCS and Endlers of the same tap water. This tank is doing just fine, its non CO2 and 2x 13w CF screw ins(10hrs). I had 2x20w but was too much w/o ferts. Nw I just barely dose slight ferts every week or 2. This is a very easy tank. I am thinkng about gong back to the 2x 20w bulbs but can only deal with 1 tank at a time so I'm leaving it be

This stuff is horrible, it is very hard to remove manually and just spreads around the tank more or disintegrates. Makes the tank dirty fast!

The only thing I can think of is low N, may have caused it in the beginning and high ammonia. My plants are not doing well either so thats most of the prob. Also excel does not seem to work on this. I made some mistakes and still make them . At 1st i did not dose enough N to account for my low fish load. I do not feed this tank at all, they all must eat algae at this point. I have been trying to do mush less WC's and if I do i let the water sit out for hours to off gas co2.

So another question, if you run low on N, how long does it take for plants to regroup? does it stunt them for a week? Like if I run low, then add some the next day.

Another hint maybe: I have Rotala rotundifolia and it seems to be doing OK now, at 1st it was not looking good. On some the new stems are very thin. Is this just b/c I have low light? Or its this a sign of low nutrients?

I have some milfoil and parrot feather, these plants have basically no chance with this algae as they get clogged easy, I have thrown lots away. The remaining ones only the tops are green and if its gets this algae on it its basically good night.

Any advice, I read another thread(well all that I could find), and this person could not get rid of it either.
Frustrated! Rhizoclonium / Hair Algae .. - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium & Reef Forum

I just ordered a Koralia 1 power head to hopefully help

I also have BBA, GBA and think GSA just started on 1 plant. the glass is mostly clean now. My java moss has all types intertwined and may be that root cause? I had more GBA at 1st and still have some, it is the only thing in the tank that pearls!


Please help me figure this out, I do not want to go with CO2 at this point. I dont even have much of a scape at this point b/c I end up throwing plants away and the closer they are together the more of this algae they catch.

Should I try to limit P and Iron if i believe they may be high?

The tank with raised lights and 8hrs lighting seemed like not getting enough light. also had glass tops on it to reduce light slightly.

Thanks in advance

 

[Tom Barr]

Try adding lots more plants, eg water sprite etc and allow it to float, it'll block the light and help the plants dominate.

Since you have such a low fish load, add some SAE's, say 2-4, and about 20 Amano shrimp.

They should be fine with these fish you have now.
You may also consider doing water changes and adding Excel and then go back to no water changes and non Carbon enrichment methods later.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

Thanks Tom!

I have many algae eating fish now and I have only had them for less then 1 week. They have made a big dent in the algae and are keeping it clean for the most part(just not really this algae). Since the onset I have removed many plants, some I threw away, some I transferred into my 10G and they seem to be cleaned in ~1week. I guess i am looking for the root cause of this type of algae, but since I cannot test for it, I doubt I will ever determine that.
I guess since I'm new, patience is something I lack, mainly because I do not know some things.

So I guess my main questions for you would be this:

If plants are limited for a day or 2(from nutrients), how long does it take for them to recover? Remember its a non CO2 and ~2wpg or less.

Also since I have read things about fighting algae, what in your mind is the best way(speaking of lighting). Would you rather reduce intensity? or reduce photo period? Or a combination of both and how severe? Or no adjustments at all?


Thanks again Tom

 

[Tom Barr]

With respect to a non CO2 tank, the Excel option is nice.
Shrimp are effective.
Time also helps.
Generally the algae go their routine and eventually die out as long as things maintained and not fiddled with. No water changes etc.
The tank is really new, some algae might be expected.

NO FL's should be fine.
Add some floaters(10-25% coverage).

Keep after it.
Add more algae eaters as suggested.

The tank is new so wait a week or so and you can consider a blackout + Excel if you wish for 2 days with a water change in start of the BO.
Should help the plants established better using the Excel/kill some algae then stop adding it later.

A 500ml bottle ought to do the trick.

Regards,
Tom Barr