[Algae Identification]

Thank you all!

There is definitely some staghorn algae around the hardscape in another area of the aquarium. But when I scrape this off it's more slimy and comes off in clumps. Cladophora seems like a possibility. I didn't know Cladophora was a thing, so I appreciate the input!

[Algae Identification]

 

Any idea what type of algae this is? I was wondering if it was blue green algae.

This is in a 20 gallon long, finnex stingray light with 6 hour light cycle. Tank is over 2 months old now gets a 25-40% water change about every 5 days and filter (tidal 35) serviced every 10 days. I fertilize with easy green with each water change. Nitrates have always been 10-20 ppm. 74 degrees F. Home to 14 CPDs, 6 julii Cory's, and 8 amano shrimp. The amanos do a great job of cleaning the hardscape but seem to leave this alone for the last 2 weeks. That makes me wonder about BGA. Yes I see the BBA on the dwarf sag.

Thanks!

 

 

 

[Ammonia source?]

Definitely a few sad ludwigia leaves. I did my best to scoop out the plant matter after initial filling. I considered decaying plants but wasn't sure if it would cause such an ammonia spike so quickly.

[Ammonia source?]

Yes. Tap water is 7.0 pH, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate.

[Ammonia source?]

I am starting a 20 gallon long planted tank, and was very surprised about the water parameters just 48H after setup and planting. 1 ppm ammonia, 2 ppm nitrite, and 80-160 ppm nitrate. There are no fish and I can see only 1-3 trumpet snails that came along with the plants.

For context; I have eco-complete with 8-10 ez root tabs in mesh bags capped with coarse sand. There are a variety of stem plants, annubias, dwarf sag and java Fern. I added two pumps of easy green after adding the first water. I do have some cycled bio media in a HOB filter. 

I was pleased to see that the "cycle" seemed to have started already, but I'm not sure what was causing such a spike in ammonia so quickly? Any thoughts?

(I did an 80% water change and the plants seem quite happy)