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I have a huge algae problem in my 55g. I am pretty sparsely planted right now because alot of the plants have died. The algae will not go away. I have tried bleaching the plants and it came back.
I have 2x65w Coralife fixture that gives me ~2.4wpg. I was told that I should add CO2 to get rid of the algae. The problem is I am on a budget and can't afford a good pressurized CO2 system. I hear that pressurized is the way to go though because DIY can be inaccurate and you have to do it just right. I am not a handy person. I have seen the diagrams for DIY CO2 with the 2L bottles and might be able to rig one up...but that doesn't mean it will work right. And I don't want yeast and sugar all over my room if something goes wrong.
Is there a pretty good CO2 setup that isn't expensive? I really don't know what all I would need. I obviously need some help and advice on this.

*Kristin*

Hi,
First, I'm not a big fan of bleaching plants. In most
cases the plants are already weak and sickly, and then
you immerse them in a chlorox mixture? It can really do
them in and in my opinion should only be a last gasp
attempt. It's a different case when you have young,
fresh, healthy, vibrant, plants that you just want to
"clean" before planting in your main tank. Those can
handle the brief immersion.

The idea behind CO2 injection is that it gives plants
one of the main nutrients that they need for growth and
you give it to them in a form that they can easily use.
(They actually strip the C out of the CO2.)

Another way to give them the needed Carbon is to use a
liquid fertilizer such as Flourish Excel, which is designed
to supplement plant growth with additional Carbon in a form
that plants can easily use. In your circumstances,
you might consider the chemical addition of Carbon
instead of the gaseous method.

Persistent algae is a sign that "something" is not right
and the algae is able to fill that niche and will use
the nutrients faster than the plants can.

This is one of many sites that describe the various types
of algae, its causes, and its "cures."

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

You seem to want to have plants, and not get too deeply
involved in the "other stuff" that can be necessary when
you aggressively pursue a heavily planted tank. Probably
the liquid fertilizer, and a few plants, coupled with
regular water changes, and vacuuming of the non-planted
areas, would give you what you are looking for. I would
also stick with lighting that was 1-2 watts/gallon and
plants that thrive in those conditions.

Frank


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

Thanks Frank. I have been using liquid ferts...Excel, Flourish, Potassium, Nitrogen, and Iron. But the algae is still there. I upped the dose of Excel to see if that would help, but it did nothing.
I do want plants, but not all the extra stuff, like CO2. I was just looking into it as a last resort because this algae stuff is not going away. I am a college student and I also work a part time job, so the only time I have to mess with stuff is on the weekend.
I will try vacuuming and water changes and adding more plants and see if the problem gets better. I am just so frustrated with this...I try to vacuum the stuff up and cut off the affected leaves...but nothing helps.
I posted in the Water Quality board and thats where the chlorox (19 parts water to 1 part bleach) was suggested. I think it did kill alot of my plants because they wilted away shortly after I dipped them. I am going to try to leave the lights on less and do more frequent water changes.

*Kristin*

Hi there,

You have a fish tank with a few plants, and want a low maintenance tank. But too many ferts being dosed and too many watts per gallon of light.. (the hours of light are not the problem here)

An excess of nitrates can also cause algae.
Look to fish stock level vs waterchanges. Balanced ?
(mine sure isn't, working on it though)

Or add a bunch of fast growing stem plants to take up extra nutrients.
Good luck


The Amazon Nut...

Look to fish stock level vs waterchanges. Balanced?

Not really. But I am also working on it also. I do weekly waterchanges now...of about 30%, sometimes more.

Today I did a 50% water change. Moved the existing plants around and wiped off the algae I could. I did a gravel vac removing the nasties and the algae off of the glass.

My nitrates are usually about 20ppm...i think that is a little high.

add a bunch of fast growing stem plants to take up extra nutrients

Working on that...I have more plants ordered...some are stem plants, but they are taking way too long to get here.

*Kristin*

I try to do 25% weekly in my tank, but after recent nitrate tests, it's obvious I need more since I added an adult angel pair, and now 6 juvie angels for my stepdad until I can visit them.

Sometimes I'll stick on w/c like clockwork, then have a period of distration and not do anything for a couple weeks or more. This is the habit I'm struggling to change..

Your nitrates are WAY better then mine at the moment.
20 is perfectly acceptable btw, you're doing well with your w/c. The 50% you just did will help reduce some of the excess ferts, good stuff. Enjoy your new plants and don't forget to post some pics for us to see.

The Amazon Nut...

I will add pics as soon as the plants come. I ordered them last week and they still haven't shipped. Now I'm trying to add more to the order..if I can. I put a new piece of DW in the tank and it looks so much better than the other. I'm going to get some Christmas moss for it hopefully soon.

*Kristin*