Fertilizer input and algea

[Janssenjr84]

So I have an algae that is annoying. It's not over the top but it keeps growing. I have been lightly dosing Algeafix to keep it in check. It mostly started when I OD it with light.

The Tank: 180g with 55g sump, I have 2 48" t8 4100k bulbs and a 2' 4100k t8.(i think that is the problem would 6500k be better) tank was fine till I went to 6 of the 48" to try to get better growth. Algea bloomed on the Algea lol so I cut back lights and time. Now on 4 hours morning and 4hours evenings with 1 hour break at noon.

Ammonia is 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20ppm
Phosphate are high 10ppm
10 dg Gh
3 dg kh
Ph 7.6

Dosed potassium sulfate and saw awesome growth that inspired the lights. What is the best way to bring phosphate down? And how do I get to high tech from here

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[bmthepainter]

Hi I heard that water changes will help to lower High phosphate levels unless it is in your water already. Check the level in your tap water. I seen at big ALS store something called Phos-sorb that I believe will help lower it.
Good luck

 

[Old Scales]

Not sure what 4100K bulbs would do. That's a little lower than most plant bulbs that run 5000K to 10000K with 6700K being most used. Try 3 hrs and 3 hrs. Also PO4 should lower by WC's unless you're adding it back too much in ferts. OS.

 

[Janssenjr84]

i routinly do 30% to 50% WC probably once evenry 2 weeks my tap water is hard with a higher ph. phosphates 1ppm or less.

would the decaying algea spike phosphates. they come from decaying plant mater and fish food? i have been using the gravel vac about everyother day.i know i have low watts/G or lumans/G which ever rule of thumb you wanna use but if i add light the stuff goes crazy. it looks like just brown algea.

my drop checker sets in the green all the time. i Have 52 fish in there at the moment so CO2 Should be okay i would think.

6 Angelfish-19 Mixed Danios-23 Black Skirt Tetra- 7 nerite Snails-4 Cory Cat

I feed flake food 4 times per week and various other the other 3 (blood worm, brine shrimp, spirulina, or beef hearts)

would doesing AlgeaFix and putting in 1-2 watt/G help get plants to outcompete the algea.

 

[Janssenjr84]

Oh and tap Water

ammo-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
phos <1
GH-11
Kh-3 to 4
Ph-8.2

what kind of flow rate should i have. im running a Mag5 under the tank so prolly closer to 450gph. my return is under the substrate so it doesnt move the surface much, thats good for plants right? Would i need a larger pump to help with algea.

 

[Janssenjr84]

Not sure what 4100K bulbs would do. That's a little lower than most plant bulbs that run 5000K to 10000K with 6700K being most used. Try 3 hrs and 3 hrs. Also PO4 should lower by WC's unless you're adding it back too much in ferts. OS.

i have only been Dosing Potassium sulfate to stay away from any more nitrates or phosphates. I figure the 10+ phosphates and 10-20 nitrates have that covered. what nitrate level should i shoot for i read 15ppm +-5 is about right.

I will switch out to some 6500k that i have