1st try at planting!

[eklikewhoa]

As for the photsynthesis you are correct, not enough for the plants to actually complete the process would only be feeding the algae which would thrive in any situation whether in excess or lack of. Most cases that I've seen has been in excess cause we like looking at our tanks and can't wait for it all to balance out.

[eklikewhoa]

There is a balance, if there is enough plants ultilize the nutrients then the plants thrive and algae suffers, just like any controlled situation the strong survive and weak perish.

Some nutrients would be absorbed by algae before plants so to an extent I agree with you Linh.

Most planted tanks that don't go through the algae bloom stage are planted fully from the start or to make up for the difference fast growers are thrown in to soak the nutrients while the main plants get a chance to settle in.

Floating plants or weeds like wisteria is what I normally use when planting and never see algae in the tanks which gives the plants time to settle and out compete the algae.

[madehtsobi]

Dust algae, normally happens with new tanks but yours I would say due to excess nutrients in the water column and too much lighting.

shouldnt be excess nutrients as i just started dosing this week

should i shorten the time its on or what?

Are you dosing fertilizers? If not you should.

yes i just started this week.

i'm not sure that i can agree with this, excess nutrients in the form of unbalanced amounts in your water can be utilized by algae because your plants are unable to use them due to other limiting nutrients. i never did like the concept of trying to limit algae by limiting one of the macro nutrients like PO4 or trace elements like Fe, which i think is what this article is trying to get too. having too much of one thing and not enough of another so that the higher plants shut down photosynethsis is the root of most algae outbreaks. on the other hand, if you just superdose everything you will have a pond. its about balance, imo

now if the statement was that a lack of a certain nutrient may be just as responsible for algal growth in a planted aquarium as an excess of a certain nutrient then yes i agree with that 100%

yes i agree. balancing everything is key. you cant have too much or too little..


im actually just dosing a lil bit of the macro i got from GLA. waiting for my new bottle to dose the micro.

i just have HC and dwarf hair grass in the tank so i really doubt i even really need the ferts...i may be wrong. theyve been growing actually quite well with just co2 and the lighting.

as long it doesnt get on the glass i think im OK with it! =)

[Totenkampf]

excess nutrients does not cause algae

i'm not sure that i can agree with this, excess nutrients in the form of unbalanced amounts in your water can be utilized by algae because your plants are unable to use them due to other limiting nutrients. i never did like the concept of trying to limit algae by limiting one of the macro nutrients like PO4 or trace elements like Fe, which i think is what this article is trying to get too. having too much of one thing and not enough of another so that the higher plants shut down photosynethsis is the root of most algae outbreaks. on the other hand, if you just superdose everything you will have a pond. its about balance, imo

now if the statement was that a lack of a certain nutrient may be just as responsible for algal growth in a planted aquarium as an excess of a certain nutrient then yes i agree with that 100%

[digitallinh]

http://aquariumalgae.blogspot.com

If you scroll down to the gda (I recommend reading the entire, albeit long, article if you have not already), apparently the correct strategy is the one you are currently employing -- leaving it alone.

A couple of things i noticed in this thread: excess nutrients does not cause algae; photosynthesis definitely does not cause algae, the funny thing is LACK of photosynthesis causes it!

[Totenkampf]

H2O2 will become harmless in the presence of water, just soak the rocks afterwards if you want to be sure. people use it in tanks all the time for BBA or bubble algae, if you squirt it directly on the nuisance it kills it then disperses. for a coating like yours tho you may have to pull the rocks out of just let the tank age some more and watch your nutrients.

[digitallinh]

Are you dosing fertilizers? If not you should.

[eklikewhoa]

Dust algae, normally happens with new tanks but yours I would say due to excess nutrients in the water column and too much lighting.

[madehtsobi]

hahah yeh it does a bit... just dont wanna stress the fish n shrimp inside with the h2o2 if i decide to go that route but i think safest bet for me is just power washing it. no chemicals!

[R_sustaita]

dont be scare. besides the green rocks gives the tank some attitude to it.

[madehtsobi]

i might just leave it for another week or so and see what happens...

[R_sustaita]

once you clean it give it a good rinse with plain water and scrub it again and rinse with water. that way it will remove any h202 left over.

[madehtsobi]

yeh will the fish n shrimps be ok????

[R_sustaita]

yeah pretty much what i said it would be. if you shale your plants on the water, it turns green.

hydrogen peroxide will do the trick as it will kill all bacteria and clean it good.

[madehtsobi]

haha i posted it on the planted tank. and someone said it maybe green dust algae and to use hydrogen peroxide to kill it...yikes!