help - plants losing out to algae

[the_deeb]

Title explains the problem. I tried adding some low light plants to my 100g tank. I wasn't trying anything too complicated - just some anubias nana and java ferns tied to the driftwood with fishing line. It's been a few months and the anubias are now all covered with a patina of brown algae, the java ferns also have some of this as well as loads of reddish beard alage and the driftwood itself has a layer of green algae (which I actually think looks nice). The plants have put out a few new leaves but certainly aren't flourishing like they have in my previous setups. I also don't think they've really rooted into the driftwood.

The tank is 18" deep and is lit by 110W of compact fluorescent lighting (10000K). I don't use any ferts. Any suggestions?

 

[santoury]

Brown algae means too little light - try upping the light intake.

 

[ThePBM]

or going with a different light color between 5000k and 8000k

 

[WyldFya]

Brown algae means too little light - try upping the light intake.

Brown algae isn't present according to his post.

 

[WyldFya]

or going with a different light color between 5000k and 8000k

Most alga aren't specific in what kelvin rating you use, and will grow in the same levels that aquatic plants will.

 

[WyldFya]

Title explains the problem. I tried adding some low light plants to my 100g tank. I wasn't trying anything too complicated - just some anubias nana and java ferns tied to the driftwood with fishing line. It's been a few months and the anubias are now all covered with a patina of brown algae, the java ferns also have some of this as well as loads of reddish beard alage and the driftwood itself has a layer of green algae (which I actually think looks nice). The plants have put out a few new leaves but certainly aren't flourishing like they have in my previous setups. I also don't think they've really rooted into the driftwood.

The tank is 18" deep and is lit by 110W of compact fluorescent lighting (10000K). I don't use any ferts. Any suggestions?

For the beard algae, which is a form of red algae, you can do a few things. The problem likely lies in the parameters. If you test for excessive levels of phosphates or nitrates, you will likely find one out of place. You can try to fix that problem, but this is often not an easy task. Your next options lie in killing the alga on the plants. First option here is using excel and a syringe to directly apply it to the algae. Next option is to use a flourish excel dose that is 2-3 time the typical amount in the tank, however, this method is not good for certain plants, and can kill them. Third, you can remove the plants and dip them in a 1:2 ratio of excel:water for a few minutes. Final option, is to use a bleach solution. 1:19, bleach:water, for a couple minutes will work well, but should be a last ditch effort.

 

[ThePBM]

Most alga aren't specific in what kelvin rating you use, and will grow in the same levels that aquatic plants will.

right, algae isn't specific, but his plants may be. hence, give the plants the good stuff as opposed to giving something that supports algae but not so much plants.

 

[ThePBM]

Brown algae isn't present according to his post.

the anubias are now all covered with a patina of brown algae, the java ferns also have some of this as well as loads of reddish beard alage

ok maybe it's just me.

 

[amehel0]

just chuck in some algae eaters like ottocinclus,bristlenoses etc

 

[WyldFya]

just chuck in some algae eaters like ottocinclus,bristlenoses etc

Neither will eat brush or red alga.