I need some advice on how to combat this green string like algee. There is also some brownish algee and black looking algee growning all over. I have a 125 gallon tank planted with a few amazon swords. I'm running a t5 lighting, fluval fx5. water condition is normal. Ph 7.5, ammonia 0, nitrate 0 temps 78f

Check your phosphate levels. There is another one to test also, but can't remember right now.

I took a water sample to my LFS they told me my phosphate were fine and my water condition looks good. But they couldn't explain why i'm getting this algee problem. Maybe I got too good of a water condition. lol

You may have to cut back on the total hours your lights are on. Also, make sure you have good water flow and check the co2 levels. I can't remember how to check the co2 levels in a tank thou. It might be a NO3 test kit. If I remember correctly, the plants use the CO2 during the day and release it at night.

Also, try a planted tank site, Probably have more info. I took my planted tank down few years ago.

i have cut down the hours the lights are on, but it just slows it down a little. well i'm not running c02. But i'm going to try blacking out my tank for 4 days

check nitrate levels ...i had a semi planted tank and when the nitrate level was high the plants grew like crazy and that stringy algea apeared it was that thick it was like grass swaying on the glass

klenzza wrote: check nitrate levels ...i had a semi planted tank and when the nitrate level was high the plants grew like crazy and that stringy algea apeared it was that thick it was like grass swaying on the glass

My nitrate levels are 0. I was at my LFS yesterday. Since my water condition is great, they think it could be calcium or to much minerals in the water causing the algee to bloom.

Currently I have had the lights completely off for almost 2 days. I did about a 50% water change before the blackout. i've notice that the green string algee is starting to lift off the driftwood and the algee has almost come to a hault growing. Hopefully the blackout works and keeps its all gone.

I don't think your nitrates should be 0. I think the plants use it. When I get a chance I will look and see if I can find what I dosed my tank with. I ordered a bunch of stuff than took it down, so I have it stored somewhere.

Also, how old are your bulbs and what is your toatl wattage?

My T5's are about a month old. I wonder if the algee problem started because of the change in the lights. I was running flouresents then switch to t5's

Sounds like you figured the problem out my friend. You can either switch back to your other lights or cut back total hours you run the T-5's. With the T-5's you jumped up to a high tech planted tank and probably should be running co2, ect.

Just a little tidbit...the pastbyear too combat the same algae I have cut back on lights but ALSO I've been doing my during thenweek to ups with Distilled water from the grocery store...man it use too be a menace but now nothing!

Metal Maniac wrote:Just a little tidbit...the pastbyear too combat the same algae I have cut back on lights but ALSO I've been doing my during thenweek to ups with Distilled water from the grocery store...man it use too be a menace but now nothing!

Whats your lighting schedule? how much distilled water changes are you doing?

My lights are only on for 3 hours a day. I'm doing 20-30% water changes with tap water. I have hornworth in the tank (seems to help with the algee a bit until my snails eats them). my water prams are good But still having an algee issue.

Water prams
78 degrees
7.2 Ph
Nitrates 0
ammonia 0
phosphate 0

Hey Tom,

I have my lights on from four - five hours a day and I do all my water changes with Distilled...not every tank but al l marine and planted...there is nothing growing anywhere accept for the beneficial bacteria in the filter and the substrates....even start off topping from the evaporation and I tell ya,you will notice a big difference....the lights a tricky one...depending on what you have in your tank you want too make sure you aren't under lighting so the beneficial bacteria doesn't die and have a recycle

But the RO is the Bomb Tom!!!