What Is Causing My Algae?

I have a 20 gallon tank that is heavily planted. It has 7500k lighting with 1200 lumens, 18 Watts. On from 9:00am-6:00om. I use a a 35g Eheim canster filter. Two sponges, bio balls. No chemical media. I dose iron. Using fluorite dirt. I dose CO2.

My tank is stocked with a betta, 6 rummies, and 6 growlight danios.

0 ammonia, o nitrites, around 10ish nitrates. Though I did a 30% water change a day before taking the parameters. Usually my nitrates are around 20. My PH is 7.8.

I’ve had a problem with algae for months and I have no idea why. So I went to my LFS to get shrimp or another cleaner fish. The guy said I don’t have enough CO2. So he sold me an indicator thing and wouldn’t sell me a fish. Well, the liquid is green.... which should mean I have enough CO2, right?

I’m dealing with brown algae and green algae in my 20g. I do have a planted 5 gallon with a single male betta. I’m dealing with hair algae in that one. It’s not dosed with anything though, no CO2 or extra ferts. Same set up as my 20 gallon other wise.

So what am I doing wrong and how do I fix it. I don’t mind when algae grows on my drift wood or rock as I like the natural look of it. But it covers my glass and plants and strings on. I do weekly water changes just to get rid of the algae on the glass.

 

If you are low on any given fert, the plants won't absorb the others and algae will grow. Light should be the limiting factor. I seem to get a burst of brown algae right after each dose of ferts. I added 3 nerites in my 55 gallon and they've helped alot. I'm still trying to get my balance right. Try upping the ferts and reducing the light cycle.

 

I’ve had nerite snails and they laid eggs everywhere. Won’t be doing that again.

 

I’ve had nerite snails and they laid eggs everywhere. Won’t be doing that again.

Nerites need brackish water to reproduce, don't they??

 

Somebody said put them in a qt with wood. Identify female egg layers and sell them. So far for me, no eggs yet. We'll see.

 

Nerites need brackish water to reproduce, don't they??

They can lay eggs in freshwater but they don’t hatch. Some may hatch but die really quickly. The eggs stick the drift wood and substrate and will never ever come off ever again!!!!