Still a problem! - Aquarium Advice

Yellow Eye Tang · 06-29-2009, 08:34 PM

Wow,.. I was just sitting here researching this. I am just having a **** of a time with my 20g planted tank. I have 64watts floresent running on my tank and I just cant stop the hair algae growth. My lighting is now down to 5 hours (for three days now) and im treating with florish excel (which everyone says will take care of the hair algae). I'm afraid of overdosing it but something has GOT to happen here. I'm afraid of going blackout because I think when I come back on it will just restart itself again. I'm going in now to try to manually pull off as much as I can. The plants just dont seem to be growing under my light / Co2 situation even with a little excel and API's leaf grow. They grow a bit and I notice it however, they obviously are not starving out the Hair algae. The leaf grow is pretty much potassium and Iron. I was going to make a comment about pulling my hair out but everyone would just think I was talking about my tank anymore. LOL Help!

mgamer20o0 · 06-29-2009, 08:37 PM

how close is the light to the water?

Yellow Eye Tang · 06-29-2009, 08:45 PM

It's standing up about 2 inches above the tank. It's your basic curved stands that the light is sitting on. They came with the light and keep it up off the glass by just 2 - 3 inches.

mgamer20o0 · 06-29-2009, 08:49 PM

is it diy co2? has the co2 been statble?

also raise it up. less light will get into the tank and that might fix most of the problems.

Yellow Eye Tang · 06-29-2009, 08:58 PM

I read your thread about how Co2 fluctuations had caused the hair algae problems you have seen. Unfortunately, yes, it is DIY Co2. I feel like Ive been keeping it up pretty good but I'll double check.

FishEggs · 06-29-2009, 08:59 PM

how old are the bulbs?
you might need to dose the macro nutrients like in flourish comprehensive or mix your own from dry ferts.
how long has the tank been established?
it looks like you are using plain natural gravel for substrate. it might not have enough nutrients in it for any root feeders so you can also try feeding it root tab fertilizers.

Yellow Eye Tang · 06-29-2009, 10:25 PM

yes, your right I do have just straight gravel as a substrate. If I was to REALLY want a successful planted tank will I need to totally redo this thing with a whole new substrate... and then work the ferts? I was a saltwater guy and it's amazing how different this is than what I was used to. I do really want to get this right (with a passion) and any more help is totally welcome. I've read a lot about this and with all I've been through it appears I'm going to have to go full boar. Is this a total tank redo or can I make this work, and with what? I'd have redone this allready with a florite substrate if I wasn't so worried about a new cycle with my fish I have in it.

brutus · 06-29-2009, 10:31 PM

i would not use API leaf zone unless you have a iron test kit.

FishEggs · 06-29-2009, 10:59 PM

no need to break it done IMO. i would just get some root tabs and place them under the root feeding plants like the swords and the crypts. then get some macro nutrient ferts for the water column feeders. i have been using the florish comprehensive since it's easy but you get more for your money if you get dry fertilizer and add your own water.

i had a hair algae out break a while back and got it under control with a little help from a flag fish but mostly by getting my system back in balance. it might be a little bit more difficult for you since your lighting is higher than mine.

**Purrbox** · 06-30-2009, 11:04 AM

Flourish Comprehensive provides micro/trace nutrients and not macro nutrients. There may be a little bit of Nitrate, etc in it, but not enough to qualify it as a macro nutrient. The Macros in the Flourish line are Flourish Nitrogen, Flourish Phosphorus, and Flourish Potassium. Dry Ferts are much more economical, but the Flourish line will do in a pinch. Just make sure to dose using the formula for targeted levels, instead of the recommended beginning dose.