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Re: Hair algae

 
> I have a serious hair algae problem I can't get rid of. I'm willing to do
> whatever it takes!

> Specs:
> Tank was setup 1 month ago with 3-4 inches flourite with couple handfuls of
> peat, no mulm but put seeded filter material in wetdry>
> 125 gallon with overflows going to wet/dry, in the sump is heater and c02
> reactor output directly into  intake of rainbow quiet one , thru mechanical
> filter thru uv back to tank via spray bar along the bottom.
> Lighting is 4x96 ah supply on 10 hours day
>  c02 goes off with lights and comes on 1 hour before lights

Reverse this, one before the lights go off and on when the lights come on.
 
> Kh 4
> Ph 6.6-7.0 with ph monitor

Should be 6.6 to 6.7 even without a controller.

> gh 7
> no3 4.4-8.8ppm(between bottom left rows of lamotte)
> po4 .2-1.0ppm (Depending on if I test before or after dose of kh2po4)
> K 25ppm

This all checks out fine and you have good equipment etc.

> My traces is where I think I have my problem. I'll test for Iron and It will
> be zero. I was adding enough tmg to bring it up to about .5 ( lamotte kit)
> About 100ml. I could do this pretty much everyday and it will drop down.

Try adding 30mls 2-3 x a week. I doubt you have to add more than that.

 I've 
> tried less and I've tried more. I never have to add N. (five full grown
> discus in tank) I do have to add P. If I test after 2 days, p is zero - .2. I
> will bring it up to around .7-1.0. I have a lamotte kit for K and it usually
> says around 25-40, but I'm only adding around 1/2 tsp each water change.

If you do 50% weekly, try adding 1 teaspoon after water change.
 
> lately I have been doing water changes at least 2 times per week sometimes 3.
> Each time I try and get rid of as much algae as possible. I'm obviously doing
> something wrong because It grows back so fast. The plants are all growing
> pretty well, The swords new growth is small and just doesn't look right,
> Cambomba is growing great on right side of tank, but not in center back.
> Glosso is spreading  nice, but is rapidly covered in algae. Plenty of
> pearling.

Critters to clean the algae?

> 
> I can put my levels wherever you want them except I'm not sure what to do
> with my traces. I've just switched from tmg to a trace element mix from
> homegrown Hydroponics. I plan on adding enough to bring iron up to .5. Is
> this good. How often should I do this with this lighting?

10 hrs is good.
> 
> One other thing, I added twenty ottos without quarintine, and it turned out
> they had ich at least. They all died and now the discus have ich. I turned
> the temp up to 86 and flipped the switch on the uv. There much better, so the
> temp is back down to 82, but the uv is still on 24/7 Other creatures are
> snails, 3 swordtails, 3 corys, and 36 amano shrimp.

Well looks like a good prune and cleaning and keeping up on it till relents.
If the plants are growing fast, pruning should not be too difficult.

Vac up all the mulm and algae AFTER the scrub. Use a net to get all the
little scraps out. Fluff the corners and get it all. Pick the plants clean
as you are willing.


> If you tell me I have to scrub and change water every day I'll do it! What
> I'm doing isn't working, and I can't hardley stand to look at the tank. I
> appreciate your help. If I missed anything you need please tell me and feel
> free to email me off list if you wish

Well just one real good scrub and maybe about 1/2 that again(in a week) and
keep up on the nutrients and CO2. By the 3rd or 4 th week it should be
cleared up or not an issue. Scrub and work hard now and relax later but
don't neglect the tank again. Keep up with regular maintenance. Keep the CO2
nice a high.
Regards, 
Tom Barr
> 
> Jeff Vamos
> Cessnabum1 at aol_com