Algae and CO2 question - Aquarium Advice

Angry the Clown · 01-02-2007, 10:28 PM

Now that I am in the swing with EI, I am beginning the fight with algae. When fighting the various forms of algae that require a consistent level of CO2 (BBA), does this include the time that the lights are off? I manually turn the CO2 on about 1 hour before the lights come on, and right about the time that the lights turn off in the evening. I have a 10 hour photoperiod. Should I keep the CO2 running all night to maintain constant levels, or should the CO2 only be available during the photoperiod?

Tank info

75 gal
260w PCF
CO2 injection

Ferts:
KH2PO4 1/4 tsp 3x weekly
K2SO4 1/4 tsp 3x weekly
KNO3 3/4 tsp 3x weekly

CSM+B 1/4 tsp 3x weekly

GH 12d
KH 6d
PH from tap 7.2
PH with CO2 6.8-7.0

I should add that my plants are pearling and fizzing like crazy.

TIA!

Lonewolfblue · 01-02-2007, 10:46 PM

I don't run my CO2 at night, not really necessary. I try to conserve as much CO2 as possible, so I'm not always going down and refilling the bottle.

dapellegrini · 01-03-2007, 01:08 AM

I leave mine on all the time using a pH probe to turn it on and off, but have thought about having it off at night. You should be able to turn it off at night with no problem.

Your kH and pH suggest a correct level of CO2, if not a bit low, but also suggest a very high level right out of the tap ... or something else going on with your water that is making things look weird...

I would recommend reading through the sticky in this forum about using a drop checker and reference kH solution to get a more accurate reading on what your CO2 levels really are in the tank. Seems that CO2 is the magic remedy for most algae problems...

Plantbrain · 01-03-2007, 03:55 AM

The CO2 seems too low too me.
Add a tiny bit more each day and note plant and fish health/response, be careful.
Do not rush this.

Staggering the lights so that the entire 260w comes on for only 4 hours will help also.
You may add some Excel and do large water changes to re set the tank and beat back the algae with some manual removal and pruning as well.

Regards,
Tom Barr

01-02-2007, 10:28 PM	#1
Angry the Clown Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 158 Images: 1	Algae and CO2 question Now that I am in the swing with EI, I am beginning the fight with algae. When fighting the various forms of algae that require a consistent level of CO2 (BBA), does this include the time that the lights are off? I manually turn the CO2 on about 1 hour before the lights come on, and right about the time that the lights turn off in the evening. I have a 10 hour photoperiod. Should I keep the CO2 running all night to maintain constant levels, or should the CO2 only be available during the photoperiod? Tank info 75 gal 260w PCF CO2 injection Ferts: KH2PO4 1/4 tsp 3x weekly K2SO4 1/4 tsp 3x weekly KNO3 3/4 tsp 3x weekly CSM+B 1/4 tsp 3x weekly GH 12d KH 6d PH from tap 7.2 PH with CO2 6.8-7.0 I should add that my plants are pearling and fizzing like crazy. TIA!

01-02-2007, 10:46 PM	#2
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,858 Images: 7	I don't run my CO2 at night, not really necessary. I try to conserve as much CO2 as possible, so I'm not always going down and refilling the bottle. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

01-03-2007, 01:08 AM	#3
dapellegrini Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 870	I leave mine on all the time using a pH probe to turn it on and off, but have thought about having it off at night. You should be able to turn it off at night with no problem. Your kH and pH suggest a correct level of CO2, if not a bit low, but also suggest a very high level right out of the tap ... or something else going on with your water that is making things look weird... I would recommend reading through the sticky in this forum about using a drop checker and reference kH solution to get a more accurate reading on what your CO2 levels really are in the tank. Seems that CO2 is the magic remedy for most algae problems... __________________ LIVE IN ARIZONA? COME CHECK US OUT!

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01-03-2007, 03:55 AM	#4
Plantbrain Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 282	The CO2 seems too low too me. Add a tiny bit more each day and note plant and fish health/response, be careful. Do not rush this. Staggering the lights so that the entire 260w comes on for only 4 hours will help also. You may add some Excel and do large water changes to re set the tank and beat back the algae with some manual removal and pruning as well. Regards, Tom Barr