Hey guys, I started up a new batch of yeast mixture over the weekend. I don't know what I did but the mixture this time is quite power! I came back from work and my mini riccia is bubbling. This is the first this is happening to me so I'm a bit excited. My problem is that algae has started growing on the glass of my tank. I think it's hair algae.

What should I do now? Should I wipe the glass clean and do a 50% water change right now? Or wait till my standard weekly water change.

Should I keep dosing ferts? (I've got YTLim's PMDD, Plant Gro NPK, Plant Gro Trace Elements & Azoo Trace. These were all given to me free except the PMDD.)

Should I bring down my photoperiod from 12hours to 8hours? (I've put it at 10 hours for now.)

The tank is not very heavily planted (yet). I'll try to borrow a digital cam and post a photo.

Hi Cruise Control,

Can you let us know you fertilising regime? You have so many
types of fertilizers. If you do not dose them correctly, may end
up giving you lot of problem. How is your plant condition?

rgds

For now, I'm just using 5ml of PMDD and 5ml of Plant Gro trace elements every week at water change. I'll get the ingredients of each fertilizer that I have and let you guys know. Hopefully you can advise me on a dosing regime.

Hi Cruise Control,

I would suggest 1ml daily rather then 5ml per wk after water change for your PMDD. Besides, dosing PMDD together with trace elements may give you excess trace elements. Unless your plants really so sign of micro nutrients deficiency, in fact you do not need to dose extra. PMDD is a complete fertilizer which only lack of phosphate. For your case, I'm not sure whether the hair algae is caused by excess micro nutrients or not. You can give it a stop and see whether it improves the condition or not. Try maintaining a strong and consistent supply of CO2.

rgds

Okay I will do that from now on. What should I do NOW with the algae? Should I:

1. Wipe the inside of the glass
2. Do a 50% water change
3. Dose 1ml of PMDD.
4. Continue with this regime with strong C02 supply

Does this sound like a good plan?

A 50% water change will reset your nutrient level. Your plan looks good!

Forgot to ask one thing. Do you check your KH and PH value?

rgds

Eeek, I don't monitor the Kh and pH values! I know I should! I'm planning on getting both of them this weekend. Any particular brands to reccommend?

yup, your hair algae (red algae) is probably caused by low or inconsistent CO2. Do get a kH and pH test kits and check how much of CO2 you have in your tank. Low or fluctuating CO2 level (normally associated with DIY, use 2 bottles instead, alternating changing btw each bottle) is the main cause of hair algae. Your photoperiod is too long, reduce it to 9 hrs a day, you'll see some improvements. And you might have excess iron too due to the many fertilisers which you are using. Just stick to PMDD and see how it goes. Do post your progress time to time

You only need trace element if you got a lot of RED plants..

I also encounter hair algae on my glass.... tiny green hair algae...

I dunno if this helps.. here is my experience...

I did a 50% water change... and put in 20ml of AZOO anti-algae solution ( it says it works great for hair algae ) and the next few days... all the hair algae is gone..

Actually dunno if it was caused by the Azoo anti-algae solution or not...

I also put in 10ml for preventive measure after a water change...

During that time my tank parameters was as follows, kh 4 , pH 7.5 , so the CO2 ppm is quite low... so yes... I guess the low CO2 was the main caused...


Stanley