Chris Spierings wrote: (edited)

It would appear I'm faced with a new algae battle:

Nitrate 0 or unmeasurable

I'm fitting a battle with blue green algae and a little black brush
algae.

I'd appreciate suggestions on how to proceed. I know my growth isn't
what it once was. I seldom have to pull out Vals the dwarf swords are
doing good so is the TIger lotus which I don't let shade the tank much.

So what do people think my best bet is for controlling the BGA? My
thought is to put in another powerhead to improve circulation.

I'm going to send the big SAEs down the road and find some little guys
to see if they are more interested in the BBA. Maybe some Amano's to go
after it too.

The BGA is what I"m most disturbed by. I'm wondering if I may be
nitrate limited. I'm also considering adding in some fast growers to
see how they hold up in part to see if they show deficiences.

Chris,

You are indeed nitrate limited. Since Nitrate is a macro nutrient, your
plants cannot succeed without it. This is a common enough occurance: after
some initial success with plants, growth slows or stops becuase the
increased plant load is eating it all. This has been the primary cause of my
BBA breakouts.

Flourish is a good trace element fertilizer, but heavily planted tanks need
3x the recommended dose.

So read up on dosing Nitrates, and watch those plants perk up.

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nitrate.htm