Algae Issues On New Heavily Planted Tank

[JustOneMore20]

Is the dark green algae slimy? Is it easily removed from stuff? If so, it sounds like cyanobacteria aka blue-green algae. It can be anywhere from really dark green to blue-green to gray in color IME. From the looks of your nitrates, it seems this may be what you have.

If that is the case, you can do 1 of 2 things. Either do a blackout for a few days....turn the lights out, don't feed, wrap a towel or blanket around the tank. Or you can get some Erythromycin (sold as Maracyn) and dose it for a few days. Either way I'd try to siphon out any algae you can and then do it again after the treatment.

I've used the Erythromycin for several days without any effects on the biofilter and it does get rid of the algae.

More water flow and increasing nitrates usually prevents BGA/cyano from returning. You can dose nitrates (for the plants) via liquid Nitrogen by Seachem or with KNO3 which is a dry fertilzer.

I agree^, the dracaena is not an aquatic plant, but aquarium stores do sell it sometimes. It will be making new leaves and growing taller, trying to get above the water. I'd pot it and it should continue to grow.

[FishEggs]

you were also sold a clown loach even though you only have a 15 gallon tank. you should have at least a 75 gallon tank if not bigger for that fish. here is a link for some info on the fish. most places will sell whatever they can to keep money flowing in. whatever looks good and dazzles uninformed ppl. i too had some clown loaches for a while in my 40gal and learned my lesson to research the fish i see at the lfs before i buy.

[ricardo48]

no he is not a clown loach I got it wrong. He is a pleco with the same clown colors. He is only 2 inches long and wont get any bigger I was told.