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is there a way i can get algae not to grow on my swords, aside from scrubbing them?

*Chelle*
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I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...

Hey,

I think the answer will be yes, but the guys who know about this are going to need rather a bit more information about your tank, plants, lighting, and ferts in order to answer you accuratly.

Chaos

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- - - Humorous Bit of Wisdom - - -

ok... well i have a 55 gallon long... no special lighting just normal bulbs (i KNOW!!! i'm workin on it) i have and assortment of plants mostly swords, some of the others im not even sure of the name there is a pic of the tank in my profile if that helps, it shows most of the plants and the arrangement.

and i dont use any type of ferts... just fishy poo.....

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1533931

*Chelle*
_______________________________________________
I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...

I am curious if algae on plants actually harm the plants?

Hi,
Yes, if left unchecked, the algae can coat the plant leaf
and choke it. It (the leaf) will yellow and die.

As far as the origional question is concerned, how to
eliminate that specific type of algae we would have to
see close ups of the plant, or better yet...
Check out this site:

http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

it appears to be "green spot algae"

i can get a pic of it within a day or so.

*Chelle*
_______________________________________________
I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...

Chelle,

Do you get green spots on the glass as well? Are the spots on ne leaves, or old ones, or both? On the edge or all over the leaf?

In the meantime, maybe you want to check out This Site. It gives you some ideas about algae and when you peruse the site there is loads of other information on planted tanks, but some may be outdated by now.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

yes i have green spot algae EVERYWHERE.. i've been using a those green scratchy pads to remove it.. but it always comes back.. its not only on the plants but on the glass, filter and ive even seen it on the gravel...

its not ALL OVER the plants but there are some spots that are noticeable that i'd like to remove without scratching my plant to death.

*Chelle*
_______________________________________________
I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...

Here is a full tank shot :
http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=00002627sj.jpg

Close-up of an affected plant:
http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=00002589qj.jpg

Another Close-Up:
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6685/00002573ih.jpg


anyone have some suggestions? I scraped for about an hour (seems like) on the tank with a scratchy pad... i got all the stuff off the glass but the plants are still affected.

*Chelle*
_______________________________________________
I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...

Chelle,

Yup, I think you have some nutrient imbalance. If I am not mistaken then green spots indicate a Phosphate deficiency (you may want to get a second opinion on this one). And the second photo also shows holes in the leaves. If that occurred naturally then you most likely also suffer from a lack of Potassium.

Maybe it is time to read up on proper plant fertilization, with macros and micros.

Hope this helps a little,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

can anyone suggest a fertilizer of some sorts... i really honestly had no idea that tank plants needed to be fertilized...

*Chelle*
_______________________________________________
I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...

Chelle,

Well - your plants need food too, don't they?

Anyway, you say you have a 55G and that you are planning on upgrading the light. But you don't say if that is already decided upon or if this is only a vision of some sort. I say this because with good lighting comes the need for more plant food, aka fertilizer, and maybe even some CO2 (in some form).

If your tank will be low light when all is said and done then you could get some liquid ferts that you may add once or twice a week, I suggest Flourish Nitrate, Potassium, Trace, Excel, and Phosphate.

If you have more light then you should get some cheaper ferts as you will have to dose daily (macros on one day and micros on the other day). A good source here is Greg Watson.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club