Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

[myjohnson]

So the only real problem I have in my tank right now is the GSA growing on my java ferns and some of my other slow growers.

I know GSA is usually a sign of low PO4, and noon bursting the lights might also help.  The noon burst I can't do because of my lighting set up doesn't allow me to do this so all I can do is increase PO4.

I have been slowly increasing PO4 over the last week and has seen no signs of the GSA going away.  I just increase any Co2 output from 4-6 bps to 6-8 bps.  I dont think CO2 is the problem.

tank: jbj DX 12g, 48w on for 6 hours a day.  G.watson frets delivered following tom barr's EI chart. heavily planted...but with mostly slow grower.

Thanks for the help guys.

the fight never ends!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Green spoted alage right goes on.....

It might be an high amount of Po4......imbalance for sure.

[myjohnson]

Re: Green spoted alage right goes on.....

I dont understand......i thought low levels of po4 cause GPS.  i dont think I'm putting too much in there let......i actually thought i needed to up the po4.


From reading your post....it seems like you are saying I have too much po4.

[finfan]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

one thing that has worked for me well before is lots of water changes over a week or so, all mine just disappeared when i did that, just my 2 cents, i have noticed that actually works for almost all types of algae, of course balancing the nutrients is the most important and avoid sudden changes in parameters including lighting

[myjohnson]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

thanks fin.......how often is "lots of water changes over a week or so."  I been doing the normal 50% once a week thing.....

[finfan]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

myjohnson, 50% water change on a weekly basis consistently is actually very good maintenance, and so your green spot maybe there for a different reason, but i changed 50% water every other day for about 10 days and that took care of mine and then i went back to my regular routine about 20% a week!

[greg_tsam]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

They is a fish that ate all the dark green algae off my anubis.  It looks like a dart.  Long, lean, dark brown with a cream racing strip.  ArXXXXXX  I forgot the name but the fish ranch off 59 have them for $12.99 (last week)

[Ramius]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

*cough* Flourish Excel *cough*

[myjohnson]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

*cough* Flourish Excel *cough*

thanks for the help but I already do this.....*cough*


I have 4-6 bps and put flourish excel. I have tried targeting the algae and over dosing with excel.

Co2 is the the problem IMHO.  I test the Co2 level by watching my fish gasping for air and than take it down a bit......

[myjohnson]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

They is a fish that ate all the dark green algae off my anubis.  It looks like a dart.  Long, lean, dark brown with a cream racing strip.  ArXXXXXX  I forgot the name but the fish ranch off 59 have them for $12.99 (last week)

i think you might be talking about otocinclus flexilis, or some other type of otos.

I actually like otos a lot.  I have some otocinclus nigers (spelling?) and just picked up some otocinclus cocama aka zebra too.

[myjohnson]

Re: Green spoted alage, the fight goes on.....

myjohnson, 50% water change on a weekly basis consistently is actually very good maintenance, and so your green spot maybe there for a different reason, but i changed 50% water every other day for about 10 days and that took care of mine and then i went back to my regular routine about 20% a week!

I haven't really tried to do any more water changes than the 50% a week. But thanks for advice. I might give it a try to see if I can get the last of the algae off my java ferns.

update: the algae is not growing on the glass at all anymore.  The faster growing plants and all new growth on the slow growers do not have any sign of GSA on them either.  So I think winning the battle but the war continues.  

Again, thanks everyone for you help and I'll try to take some pictures soon.