"K. Elliot" wrote in message
Hello all.
I have a 55 gallon lightly planted tank
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I have 160 watts of flouresent lighting (light is on 9 hrs daily)

My guess would be 4x40w fixtures, regular Normal output Floros, right? that
gives almost 3WPG, which may almost require CO2.. the threshold is 3-4WPG =
high tech tank...1-2WPG=Low tech tank

Try this, take one bulb out, leave it out, keep lights on for same
duration... basically, I'm guessing you're feeding the plants all the light
they need, and the algae is taking advantage of that.... Do you use CO2 or
Seachem Excel?

Here is my quick question. If I add liquid iron fert (LEAF ZONE) to
my tank, will the activated carbon in my filter remove it (in effect
nullifying the addition of the iron in the first place)??

Not that I've heard, it may absorb some, but not especially strip it from
the water...

I seem to continue to have an algae problem (although it is simply a
nuisance at this point) and added the carbon media in hopes it would
cut down on some of the nutrients that the algae are feeding on.
Should I just add more plants to my tank in hopes of the plants
outcompeting the algae for nutrients.

the best way to combat algae is to do regular water changes, but larger
volume than usual...

My ammonia & nitrites are zero. Nitrates are between 10-15ppm when I
do a weekly 20% water change. Ph is approx 7.0 - 7.2.

Higher nitrates are what algaes USUALLY feed off of.... yours don't seem
high...

Any info is greatly appreciated. Sorry this post is so lenthy...just
wanted to make sure you had as much info as possible. Thanks again.

Kevin

My simple guess is, algae needs light, it needs food.... Cut back light, get
food out of the water, and it'll lessen....eventually it'll lose the battle
and YOU win... sometimes it's as simple as overfeeding a tank will start the
algae bloom.... or lights degrading... or CO2 running out.... strike a
balance....


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