Preface:
I’m trying to tune my lighting and fertilizer schedule for less algae, particularly to blunt the growth of this annoying black, short, fuzzy algae that covers all my plant leaves and eventually starves them out.
I’ve been making micro-adjustments to single parameters then comparing algae growth and test results 2 weeks later. However, I’m still not certain which parameter I should focus on. I’m hoping other, more experienced aquarists will have insight and save me time and plants.
————————-
A few things I think are significant:
1. I noticed when I increased my light schedule from 5:00 to 5:15 it had the biggest visually noticeable increase rate of growth of the black algae.
2. In the past, I noticed pinholes in half my plants. Since then I’ve been tracking potassium levels for dosing since I figured, for my tank, it’s the most used micro nutrient in the fertilizer blend.
3. I don’t really notice any other kind of algae in this tank. It’s just this one, very annoying, kind that’s been plaguing me.
———————
My schedule:
My current lighting schedule is 63% intensity for 5 hrs, 15 mins.
I auto-dose 1.3 mL Easy Green per day, pre lights on.
I perform a 40% water change bi-weekly.
My CO2 is ~25ppm from lights on to off.
Every 2 weeks:
- my Nitrate levels start at 15ppm and end at 25ppm.
- my Potassium levels start at 15ppm and end at 25ppm.
——————
The tank is a 37 Gallon. I have 7 Amanos and 2 mystery snails for cleanup. I am mindful of regulating food so they’re hungry. Perhaps more algae consumers is a solution but I’d prefer to remedy the cause above treating the symptom.
Any input on where to look into making adjustments is appreciated.