1. Welcome to Aquarium Space! We are a friendly online community for aquarium owners all over the world who love their tanks including their fish, reefs, corals, invertebrates and their aquatic livestock. If you haven't joined yet, we invite you to register and join our community!

Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading in Planted tank

Discussion in 'Aquatic Plants & Planted Tanks' started by MOD_Dawn, Mar 6, 2009.

Page 3 of 7
  1. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    40 is much better, hopefully it will drop more though.
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #41
  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I'll keep y'all posted!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 8, 2009
    #42
  3. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    You increased the Excel dosing too right ?
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #43
  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I'm doing every other day...I'll be re-dosing the Excel tomorrow. Friday I'll be adding the Flourish (1x week).
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 8, 2009
    #44
  5. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Okay. ;)
     
    Anthony, Mar 8, 2009
    #45
  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Okay, just finished testing the water again..pretty much the same-with the Nitrates once again being high.

    I doubt the Algone is doing anything at all. I'm waiting to use the de-nitrate to make sure my claims about the Algone are valid.

    Readings:
    Temp 76.5 (I tweaked it a bit and left it on the cooler side for the plants)
    Gh 120 or 6.7
    Kh 40 or 2.23
    Ph 6.0
    No2/Nitrite 0
    No3/Nitrate 80
    -->As you can see my readings stay very consistent
    Today I added a double dose of Prime
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #46
  7. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    About 10 minutes after adding the Prime are your nitrate still reading 80 ?

    At this point I think your best bet would be to try one of those products we spoke about last night, to try and break down the waste in the tank.
     
    Anthony, Mar 10, 2009
    #47
  8. James0816

    James0816 New Member

    Messages:
    1,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    This looks like a job for a real super hero...to the plant cave...quick signal for Captainnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Hornnnnnnnnnnnwort!

    Ok...so I just had to make some fun of it. Couldn't resist. Sry. :)

    But hey...it is an option if ya want to explore it. It is a sponge when it comes to sucking up icky waters. ;)
     
    James0816, Mar 10, 2009
    #48
  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Hmm..Captain Hornwort ya say...I have alot of fast growers (ie. picts in planted 90g). I CAN say amazingly Hornwort is not one of them.
    I do have the P. Cambomba though that is really close to the look. I think next trip to the lfs I will definately check as I am nearing my wits end.

    Thank You James [angel]
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #49
  10. James0816

    James0816 New Member

    Messages:
    1,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I just went back and re-read the thread. lol...now that's funny...i'm a poet and didn't know it.

    Anyway. Best that I can tell and purely a judgement call here, I might have to wager to say your water changes are the issue. By that I mean the 15%. If this has been a steady action, it doesn't appear (to me at least) that there would be enough displacement of old to new water to help lower the nitrate levels. Thus keeping a substantial amount still in the water column and then it will slowly increase until next change.

    Just a thought, but I didn't catch on to anything that would cause a nitrate spike.

    Definately bump your wc's to 50%/wk. You might even consder wc's twice/wk until they come down. Continue with Prime dosing at regular dosing levels (1x). Once the nitrates come down to managable <=40, then maintain at 25%/wk.

    That's about it from me. Err to the side of caution when playing with all these chems and dosing routines. The tank can get away from you quickly with all this tinkering.
     
    James0816, Mar 10, 2009
    #50
  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I would think though when I did the 50% wc it would have stayed down for more than 24hours? That reading didn't even last 12!
    Also, The algone...wouldn't that bring it down (thinking the product is a bust)?

    I get where your coming from...the 15-20% weekly w/c wasn't enough on a 90g (even with the inbetween replacement of evaporated water)...And I think you may be right on that one. But I still think the 50%wc would have lasted longer then (as far as nitrate levels staying down). I'm in the process of ordering a new test kit with a phosphate test kit also.

    I'm giving the algone the 5 days and then at that point will increase the water changes to a higher percentage...if they are still high afterwards I'm sending for the reinforcements-->The De-nitrate and Extra Purigen squad.

    Keep the suggestions and opinions coming..as I am out of them! :confused:
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #51
  12. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Okay, I sent a Seachem reinforcement in. I have De-Nitrate dangling in "The Bag" just beneath my spraybar and about 1 & 1/2" to the right of the new Lustar Sponge that is covering the xp intake.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #52
  13. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I'm just curious why you're hanging it in the tank and not placing it in one or both of your filters.
     
    Anthony, Mar 10, 2009
    #53
  14. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Because the lfs lady said not too..she said the flow rate would be too strong.
    Seachem copy and paste: Flow rate should not exceed 200 L (50 gallons*) per hour. If higher flow rates are unavoidable, use Matrix™ or Pond Matrix™.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #54
  15. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Oh okay, I didn't read the little writeup on the Seachem site about the product.

    Carbon doesn't absorb nitrate does it ? :eek:
     
    Anthony, Mar 10, 2009
    #55
  16. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Yes it does, just not alot from my understanding.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #56
  17. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Okay, I wasn't sure since I don't use it.
     
    Anthony, Mar 10, 2009
    #57
  18. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I pulled mine and the only thing different as of now that I notice is high Nitrates (whether related or not) and yellowy water (whether light change related or driftwood related).

    My Purigen still smelled a bit chloriney so rinsing it yet again and re-soaking in water and prime for a few more hours. Should have it in place before I go to bed.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #58
  19. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I bet it's the lights, 6700k bulbs tend to be yellowish.

    You soak it in water/Prime ? I always soak mine is straight Prime. :)
     
    Anthony, Mar 10, 2009
    #59
  20. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I go through the Prime as it is already. Lol!
    Nah, I go with water and double the prime added for the "rinse" cycle.
    I think I have 4 bags of it at last check.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 10, 2009
    #60
Page 3 of 7