What am I missing?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
F

FreshwaterHawaii

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 1, 2011
203
0
16
Hawaii
I have a 55 gallon but all I grow is algae. Brown algae all over my plants and glass and green dot algae all over glass. I also have hair algae on my substrate.

Specs:
Finnex Ray 2 - 7 hours a day
Using dry frets, micros MWF, macros TTS.
Water changes about 40% a week on Sunday's.
About 6 rainbow fish, and 4 Cory cats.
Substrate is Eco complete.

plants:
Some Java fern
Glossostigma (basically dying)
Staurogyene repens (also dying)
Large Amazon sword (covered in brown algae)
Hair grass (covered in algae)

I'm thinking I don't have enough plants to out compete the algae.

Do I have enough light?

My co2 checker reads green after a few hours of co2.

Thanks for your helps.
 
You need a balance of light, ferts and co2 for minimal algae growth.

Maybe cut down on the ferts and co2, it could allow the plants to outcompete the algae
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Hendre said:
You need a balance of light, ferts and co2 for minimal algae growth.

Maybe cut down on the ferts and co2, it could allow the plants to outcompete the algae
Click to expand...
I could be wrong here but doesn't co2 allow the plants to out compete the algae? Something about it causing the plants to take off and consume the nutrients before the algae can get to it?

Can anyone clear this up for me? :)
 
Kittiee Katt said:
I could be wrong here but doesn't co2 allow the plants to out compete the algae? Something about it causing the plants to take off and consume the nutrients before the algae can get to it?

Can anyone clear this up for me? :)
Click to expand...
You just need the balance so there isnt excess for the algae of any one thing
 
Hendre said:
You just need the balance so there isnt excess for the algae of any one thing
Click to expand...
Ahh yep. Am I at least right in thinking that with co2 the plants grow faster and therefore absorb more nutrients in a shorter amount of time? Or have I got all my facts muddled?

Its almost 10:30pm here (which is WAY past my desired bed time) so I'm a little tired and probably not thinking straight. :)
 
Kittiee Katt said:
Ahh yep. Am I at least right in thinking that with co2 the plants grow faster and therefore absorb more nutrients in a shorter amount of time? Or have I got all my facts muddled?

Its almost 10:30pm here (which is WAY past my desired bed time) so I'm a little tired and probably not thinking straight. :)
Click to expand...
Basically.
 
I'm not familiar with Finnex Ray, but I can tell you that 2-7 h light per day is not enough. Higher plants should get 12-14 h. Interrupt that with 1-2 h of darkness, and your plants should do better and your algae less so. Best done with a timer.

Also, what are your iron levels in the water? I cannot judge your need for ferts, but it seems excessive.

Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hendre
+ on the lights. excessive phosphate may also be an issue
 
Thanks for the info guys.

1. Should I add another light fixture?
2. Should i increase my lighting time to 9 hours?
3. What test kits should i get? Never purchased one before.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom