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Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading in Planted tank

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

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  1. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    :)

    Plants can be a pain sometimes!
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 12, 2009
    #81
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I think it was this thread that I mentioned I didn't have a nitrate test kit... Well I cleaned out my cabinet a bit and there it was, in the back.

    Okay, back on topic. Dawn, have you tested the tank again ?
     
    Anthony, Mar 12, 2009
    #82
  3. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    no, outta test kit completey at this point.

    Removed the Algone (didn't bother replacing since I felt it didn't work in the 1st place).

    Disturbed the gravel via poking my pruners into the substrate (up and down) anywhere I could reach, Did 25% partial, added double prime to replacement water, De*nitrate left in.

    Tomorrow I'll add Flourish excel (dosing every other day)...and Saturday I'll add flourish (leary of adding it the same day the excel is going in...dosing flourish once a week).
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 12, 2009
    #83
  4. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I tested my nitrates just now and mine are reading 0 still. I'm really surprised your plants aren't sucking up the nitrates like mine seem to be doing, especially since your tank is much more planted than mine is.
     
    Anthony, Mar 12, 2009
    #84
  5. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    I know. I don't get it!
    I removed the Platinum Gouramis & the blue one (can't remember his name right now).
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 12, 2009
    #85
  6. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    :confused:
     
    Anthony, Mar 12, 2009
    #86
  7. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Okay, I had my mommy take me to the store a bit (not allowed to drive with meds) & I finally found my nitrate and phosphate test kit! YaY ME!

    I tested with the lights off with the water temp at 76.9F using Api Liquid test kit.
    Nitrate 20ppm
    Phosphates 0ppm
    *I'm starting to wonder if the other (red sea)(api test strips) test kit was defective...however I don't have any left to check.

    I also added Flourish just a bit ago, everything is looking really good. WheW!

    Still unsure what was causing fish death? (Possibility it was nitrates and the De*Nitrate brought it down..we'll see I guess when it exhausts...in the meantime I think I'll keep a close eye on the nitrates).
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 14, 2009
    #87
  8. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    What's New in Your Tank Today?

    Welllllll.....gotta work on them phosphates now. ;)
     
    James0816, Mar 14, 2009
    #88
  9. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    IMO......Ditch the strips..not very accurate. Stick with the API Master and get the others as needed (GH, KH and Phosphate)
     
    James0816, Mar 14, 2009
    #89
  10. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading


    I agree... could not agree more.... I have both.... I test off of the liquid tests.... the strips say I have parameters I dont have.

    The only reason I use the strips is a quick overview (and it is my nitrate kit now). The strips say that my 125's PH is 6.5.... My API Master's PH test says that I am PH 5.8!

    That is a HUGE difference and I trust the API Master over the Strips!
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 14, 2009
    #90
  11. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    That's great Dawn. With the phosphates at 0 you may have to start adding some for the plants.
     
    Anthony, Mar 14, 2009
    #91
  12. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: What's New in Your Tank Today?

    Why would I work on them?
    Perfect at 0 (no algae, other than the few bits of green spot I can reach to clear). Test kit says in a proper setup the goal is to have 0.
    Plants are flourishing with no issues whatsoever..I'm sticking to the flourish 1x week, flourish excel every other day, and iron when needed since it's working for me.

    What benefit would I get from increasing phospates?
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 14, 2009
    #92
  13. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    What benefits are their to adding it (told phosphates are the main cause of algae)?
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 14, 2009
    #93
  14. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    The plants use phosphates too. Too much and you end up with algae problems, not enough and I'm not sure what happens to the plants.
     
    Anthony, Mar 14, 2009
    #94
  15. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    OKay, I was wondering what would happen without any?
    Being the plants are doing so well now I hate to muck with anything to cause an offset of the balance.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 14, 2009
    #95
  16. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Yeah, I would wait and see how your plants do before attempting to add any back.
     
    Anthony, Mar 14, 2009
    #96
  17. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    <--my plans exactly.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 14, 2009
    #97
  18. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Re: What's New in Your Tank Today?

    Your plants and tank will thank you for it. On the other hand, your algae will hate you for it.

    Just a suggestion.
     
    James0816, Mar 14, 2009
    #98
  19. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Re: Green Spot Algae & High Nitrate Reading

    Your plants also need phosphates. Lack of which gives way to algae...namely green spot. Ideal level is around 2. Stay in that area and you will be fine.
     
    James0816, Mar 14, 2009
    #99
  20. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: What's New in Your Tank Today?

    I just had no idea what it would do since everything I read says algae is caused by phosphates (so I assumed I didn't want them period).

    Can you be a little more specific when it comes to the benefits of adding phosphates as I am still in the dark with some of these plant additives?

    Thanks in advance James.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 14, 2009
    #100
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