LindaC
Aquarium Advice Freak
I'm pretty sure that I have this algea in my 10 gallon newly planted tank, at least I'm pretty sure. I've read that it is from poor water quaility and yet I keep this tank pretty clean with at least a 50% water change weekly.
I have 3 apistos in this tank, along with a small stressed out Ram, who was being picked on in the big tank. I have some plants in there, a coconut hut and a clay pot. I does Floursh Excel every other day because of the Anarcharis and my lighting is two compact flourescent srew in bulbs, 15 watts each.
This aglea seemed to appear on Monday, a couple of days after I dosed some ferts (Friday) but that could just be a coincidence but somehow I don't think so. I added a small tiny pinch of K2SO4 and KNO3, and 2 drops of phosphate (Fleet). I had tested the phosphates and they were low. Then the following day I dosed micros CSM+B about 1/4 tsp of a mix (1 tbsp to 500 ml water). That's the only time I added any ferts to the tank. I waited two weeks to add the ferts, so the tank could get established.
The plants were looking so nice and growing pretty rapidly for no CO2, but yesterday I had to remove the Moneywort, they bottom steps were covered with this blue green slime and I just finished washing it off of my Rotala.
What is causing this algea? What can I do besides adding the Erythromycin, anything? The main thing I am worried about here if I do use Maracyn is killing of the beneficial bacteria in my tank. Can I just do a complete overhaul, throw out the plants affected, gravel vac and water changes?
Any help/advice is greatly appreciated!
I have 3 apistos in this tank, along with a small stressed out Ram, who was being picked on in the big tank. I have some plants in there, a coconut hut and a clay pot. I does Floursh Excel every other day because of the Anarcharis and my lighting is two compact flourescent srew in bulbs, 15 watts each.
This aglea seemed to appear on Monday, a couple of days after I dosed some ferts (Friday) but that could just be a coincidence but somehow I don't think so. I added a small tiny pinch of K2SO4 and KNO3, and 2 drops of phosphate (Fleet). I had tested the phosphates and they were low. Then the following day I dosed micros CSM+B about 1/4 tsp of a mix (1 tbsp to 500 ml water). That's the only time I added any ferts to the tank. I waited two weeks to add the ferts, so the tank could get established.
The plants were looking so nice and growing pretty rapidly for no CO2, but yesterday I had to remove the Moneywort, they bottom steps were covered with this blue green slime and I just finished washing it off of my Rotala.
What is causing this algea? What can I do besides adding the Erythromycin, anything? The main thing I am worried about here if I do use Maracyn is killing of the beneficial bacteria in my tank. Can I just do a complete overhaul, throw out the plants affected, gravel vac and water changes?
Any help/advice is greatly appreciated!