What is this stuff ?

Henry Hatch

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2006
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I've seen this show up from time to time. This pic is an anubia leaf. Tank is 50 gal with bottled co2 using misting. Drop checker with reference solution suggests co2 40 ppm +. Tank is well planted but not crowded. Fish load light with about 20 small fish mostly tetras. Light is currently mystery mix. I temporarily put in original lights that came with the fixture while I decide how I want to light tank. Par readings are 60-70 at substrate level. Dosing is EI by the book for a 50 gal.

I do not believe this bba. I've seen a lot of that stuff. Algae almost looks diatomaceous. I've seen this on some other plants in spot form. This is a bad case where leaf is almost totally black.

Whoops no pic showed up.

Ok one more time.
 

Philosophos

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Mar 12, 2009
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Looks like green spot algae with BBA over top. Low PO4 with low CO2 would be my guess.

It's frustrating when you've got algae on your algae; I think we've all been there a couple times. What's the setup and fert routine look like?

Pull that leaf off if you haven't yet.

-Philosophos
 

Henry Hatch

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2006
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Philosophos;39051 said:
Looks like green spot algae with BBA over top. Low PO4 with low CO2 would be my guess.

It's frustrating when you've got algae on your algae; I think we've all been there a couple times. What's the setup and fert routine look like?

Pull that leaf off if you haven't yet.

-Philosophos


I'm using a fluval canister model 404 which pumps 300+ gph. The misting setup is a modified maxijet with holes melted in the impeller. I did increase co2 at one point, but nearly croaked my fish. I did notice significant improvement when I switched to misting. I've been thinking about upping po4. Some people I guess are going even beyond suggested EI levels.

Current dosing is:

1/2 tsp KNO3 x 3
1/8 tsp KH2PO4 x 3
Seachem Flourish 7 ml x3
Barr's GH booster 2 tbs at each water change done weekly. I've got pretty soft
water.

For t8 lighting I would think this would be adequate at my PAR levels.

If I keep cultivating algae, maybe my tank will break out with plants.
 

Philosophos

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Your micros seem low, which might be causing a limiting nutrient that's showing in your anubias first. When I've used flourish, it's been at about 1ml/gal of column /wk.

Filtration could be pushed higher, but I don't think that's the cause.

How much light is over this tank?

-Philosophos
 

Henry Hatch

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2006
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Philosophos;39057 said:
Your micros seem low, which might be causing a limiting nutrient that's showing in your anubias first. When I've used flourish, it's been at about 1ml/gal of column /wk.

Filtration could be pushed higher, but I don't think that's the cause.

How much light is over this tank?

-Philosophos

Lighting is 120 watts of t8 on a 50 gal. Par reading are 60-70 at the substrate.