Algae on Sand

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cbfreder

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 24, 2006
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So my planted paradise has been doing fabulously. Everything (except for one or two crypts, mentioned earlier) is growing faster than I can remove it and it I feel like I am looking in to a glass of champagne as soon as the lights come on. There is virtually no algae in my tank, except for a small amount of hair algae growing on top of my wood--but even that doesn't grow much at all.

Although it would seem all is well, and I am sure I can't complain, my sand turns green-black with algae two days after I suck it all out during water changes. I've turned it over and covered it up, but I haven't been able to stop it. Any commiseration? Any advice?

Brandon
 
By green black do you mean it is a green and black, or a dark green? If it is just dark green then it is actually a cyanobacteria. This can be removed by turning up the co2 put into the tank. If it is green and black then it is a nutrient imbalance.
 
Sorry, to clarify this is not cyanobacteria. It appears to be a combination of early growth black brush and green fuzz algae. What bothers me is that this is the only place I see it.

Brandon
 
pH Low 6, Nitrates 20, Phosphate ~0.5, KH 5, DIY CO2, but it's about 30 BPM. 50% water change weekly. 29 gal, 1/8 tsp daily. Sand, flourish tabs.

Brandon
 
I also need to know your iron levels. By 30 bpm do you mean 30 bubbles per minute? Also, what kind of diffusor do you use?
 
I do mean at least 30 bubbles per minute on a hagen bubble ladder using twin 2L soda bottles. I have no idea about my iron, but I use PMDD as mentioned above. I'll have to invest in one of those next time i visit the LFS
Brandon
 
Personally I don't like the diffusion rate that those ladders have. If you get a good check valve for airline tubing, and a powerhead you will have much better diffusion. Just put the co2 line directly input into the powerheads line. Make sure the check valve is close to the powerhead. I have found that dissolved iron in the water column can be a big source of algae problems. Based on what was given, I'd say your culprit is your nitrate.
 
If you get a good check valve for airline tubing, and a powerhead you will have much better diffusion. Just put the co2 line directly input into the powerheads line. Make sure the check valve is close to the powerhead.
Click to expand...
I've been thinking about doing this for awhile, but when room temp gets warm I get a lot of bubbles and the pH gets low. Do I have much of a chance of overdose?

Do I have too much nitrate or too little? When I miss a dose, I seem to get more algae. Iron sounds like a possible cause, I do have some hair algae. Should I dilute my PMDD with nitrate to reduce the traces and modify dosing from that?

Brandon
 
You will be hard pressed to OD with a diy co2 setup. That would take several 2 liter bottles. As far as nitrate goes, you have too much. I keep my tank at 5-10 ppm nitrate.
 
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