So I got a tough one for any planted tank gurus on here... Does anyone know of good methods to get rid of algae infestation in my tank? I know how to keep it under control after I get rid of it. The problem was that I was not aware how powerful my lights were, I have 2 t5 bulbs in the 55g tank. It started out as green hair algae(freshwater) on driftwood that slowly spread. And I added more plants as it was sparsely planted to begin with, and it killed off a good majority of the green hair algae. And all that turned into this other kind of shorter brown similar algae that spreads worse. For the twist, I have a BGK in the tank and can't nuke it with normal anti algae products. Once I get this into check I will probably get a lot of plants in there and cut back how long I keep the lights on. The plants in the tank are still spurting new leaves, but the old ones or original leaves don't seem to be growing. My only other idea besides it being a different kind of algae infestation is that the hair algae is dead and just stuck to everything in the tank still. I used a algae product safe for BGK I will have too look up and repost soon, but did not think it worked. I also don't have any good algae eaters in there to my knowledge. Any suggestions would be apprecaited. (Will try to post some pics/ and the name of the algae product soon)
Planted 55g Problems
- Thread starter Bhack91
- Start date
Are you adding co2? What fish are you keeping in the tank. Your probably over feeding or over fertilizing. Do you do weekly water changes? without really seeing how bad the tank is. I suggest getting about 20+ Siamese algae eaters. Some ghost shrimps and some Platies or Guppies. They are great hair algae eaters. Don't feed the fish just let them eat the algae. two T5 on 55 is not alot of light. I run four T5HO on both my 25 and 40 gallon tanks with lots of fish. I have no hair algae.
I would advise that you do research before buying SAE's [Siamese algae eaters]. I have 2 Chinese algae eaters that where marked as SAE's and now they are 7" each and like to burrow a bit messing with my plants. just make sure what your getting is a SAE. Other than that shrimp are great! lots of shrimp.
~LiquiD~
~LiquiD~
MyGiants;4236188; said:
+1...but replace the SAE with oto cats. Get like ten. And some shrimp.
Side note...after you turn your lights down and stop using ferts if you are...the next step I would take (beyond clean water, which I am hoping is a given) would be to buy seachem's excel. If you arent already doing co2...get on it, its great for algae prevention...and then if you cant...the excel. Its saved lots of people from algal doom. Look into it. Cures everything.
I like Otocinclus's too but they are not as hardy. Kinda like buying Cardinal Tetras. Buy 6 and 4 die couple weeks later. I had about 40 otos seriously I am down to maybe 7 now. After seeing this vid on how otos live I know now why they die. Our tanks cannot provide enough micro algae these little guys need constantly. Check out how green the water is. So saturated with algae!FLESHY;4238528; said:+1...but replace the SAE with oto cats. Get like ten. And some shrimp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilnitMs1LRk&feature=channel
Ottos are hardy once settled in. They ship poorly, so have your lfs hold them for a week or so to ensure they are ok. I have ottos in my planted tanks that are 2 years old and don't have a problem.
My personal thought, is Bhack91s water parameters are out of wack. There is a relationship between Ph, Kh and Co2 that should be monitored. I would not reccomend using any anti-algae product without first checking both the phosphate and nitrate levels in the tank as well as from the faucet.
My personal thought, is Bhack91s water parameters are out of wack. There is a relationship between Ph, Kh and Co2 that should be monitored. I would not reccomend using any anti-algae product without first checking both the phosphate and nitrate levels in the tank as well as from the faucet.