TheTacoManChach

So about 2 weeks ago brown algae began forming on all my white rocks... within a week it had moved to my hornswort... Also Hair Algae appeared on my small dwarf grass...Quickly followed by black tuft... Now Today I see Green Spot Algae on the glass...

Currently the entire bottom of my tank is covered in brown algae aswell as 30% or more of my hornswort... My Amazon Swords are fine they have some holes though? My Dwarf Grass is unaffected by the brown growth...
My Dwarf Swords have alot of the black tuft algae on them but its not on anything else
Same with the hair algae it is growing on the dwarf grass also
And green spot algae appearing on my glass
I have 1 pleco and 4 Ottos (2 were introduced 3 days ago)

I have a 55G tank
driftwood/Plants
110wpg Grow lights from 5am-5pm
And then 55 WPG 6500 from 5 pm till 9pm
I was adding Flourapride as directed for the last 3 weeks
Until a few days ago when I got my ottos I bought NutraFin Plant Gro Which I dosed according to the label

I need help it seems Im having an algae outbreak!

Lucy

I can't be too much help, but you might find this link of interest:
Algae - An Overview

alicem

Rethink this...
If you meant that you have:
110 watts over a 55G = 2wpg for 12 hours
and then
55 watts over a 55G = 1 wpg for an additional 4 hours
= 16 hours of light on time.

In my opinion:
You need to dose less ferts. and the lights are on too long.
Package directions will probably specify more than you need, since they would like to sell you more of their product.
A total of 8 hours "light on" time is plenty.

Often people who dose alot of ferts usually have co2 injection, as well as 2 to 4 wpg. and do frequent large water changes.
alicem

Shawnie

how long has the tank been up and running? the brown algae is probably diatoms and will go away with time not to mention its a favorite to ottos ..alice gave great information to help with the other algae ...good luck!

TheTacoManChach

The tank has been up roughly 1 and a half months

So im pretty sure the Brown algae will go away like you said... but i figured I should mention it since im getting all these other algae maybe their was a connection i should add it to the list

Thank you Alice for your advice.

So you recommend 8 hours light time. I would like atleast 1 hour of 55w time because the tank is more pleasant in that color spectrum

Should I do 1 hour 55w 7 hours 110? or should I do 6 hours 110w - 2 hours 55w etc...

Also I should dose down the ferts?
I had read that the holes and the slight transparency to the leaves on my amazon swords was a firm indication of a lack of ferts?

The majority of my leaves arent like that but their atleast 2 on each of my plants.

My Dwarf Grass has no such issues. But does have the Black Tuft Algae and Hair algae that the Amazon does not.

Thank you fish lore you are educating someone every day. I freaked out when the site went down for 2 days...

alicem

You could play around with it using a timer that has multiple settings.
Generally, plants need 4 hours of continuous "light on" time for photosynthesis.
So let's say, if the 110 watt lights are for plant growth, then have them on during the day when you are gone for a minimum of 4 hours up to 6 or 8 hours.
You'll need to see how your plants and the algae respond...

The timer can shut off the lights.
If you have "off time" of 2 hours or so in between "light on" times, the algae has less chance of getting a foot hold.

Later, the timer turns on the 55 watt lights during the time you are home to view, feed and enjoy your tank.
These can be on for 4 hours if you like, the off over night.

This type of lighting setting is known as "siesta". Some don't feel it does much good.
I believe it works for me and use it because I really feel I have less algae growth on the decorations than I did otherwise.
Also, it makes sense economically. I'm not there to view the tank all day and the fish are fine with ambient room lighting when the lights are off.
So why waist the "juice" (electricity) and my $$.
When the lights come on my fish know it'll be feeding time soon.

hth,
alicem
ps
I sent you a message about the ferts.