Help with algae problem

[Andrewtfw]

Here is the deal.. It is a 37 gallon tank. 130 watts of pc light on timer for 10 hours per day. 90% flourite substrate. Fertilize with excel and potassium. Co2 recently added (to stop the water from going green and help plants outcompete beard algae growing on them and wood; 2 bubbles per second. Water is ro/di and 40% changed monthly. Feeding is once a day and minimal.

Since adding the co2 (5lb bottle with Blueline regulator) and new plants, the water has not gone back to green, but the algae has spread onto the new plants. Phosphate tests show minimal readings.

Inhabitants include: 2 albino bushynose and 2 gold nigget plecos, 2 medium sized angels, one pair of kribs, 2 corys and 8 rasboras.

Any ideas on what is promoting the algae growth and how to stop it?

 

[matthew112687]

What are your nitrates and CO2 concentration?

I think you want your nitrates to phosphate ratio to be 10-15:1. Maybe you dont have enough nitrates. I had a small outbreak of beard algae, I tried to raise my CO2 concentration, and that did not work. But once I put in some rosy barbs and raised my nitrates to 30 ppm using potassium nitrate, then it went away almost over night.

Try adding a pair of rosy barbs or glass barbs, they do a good job in my tank.

 

[Andrewtfw]

Thanks for the advice. I will try raising the nitrates. Will Seachem's Nitrogen do the trick? Should I be concerned about causing a nitrite spike that will harm the fish?

 

[matthew112687]

I dont have any experience with Seachem's Nitrogen, Im sure someone here has tho. I got my potassium nitrate from http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/

Should I be concerned about causing a nitrite spike that will harm the fish?

I didnt from using the Potassium nitrate, I dont see why you would using Seachem. Good luck