Need Help Removing Algae

[fishfishfish]

Hello everyone, 

I am looking for some help on my 20-gallon tank. I have tried to remove algae from my tank but it keeps coming back even after I scrub all my plants & decor. It is now getting on my live plants. I did once-a-week water changes for a month and scrubbed all plants to see if that would help but it just went back to how it was. Info on tank below.

• Light on 8 hours per day, on a timer
• 1 amazon sword & 1 java fern (planted in January 2023). I have not fertilized but am considering it
• Feed very small pinch once per day
• Vacuum gravel, change filter & change water (45%) once per month
• Use API master test kit, all levels good except nitrate (see picture for level)
• Have 1 skirt tetra, 3 guppies, 4 cori catfish, 1 neon tetra, 1 molly

Any advice is welcome! 

[Tommy Vercetti]

I would add some fast growing plants like pearl weed, water sprite, Rotala or Ludwigia  and some floating plants (not duckweed). This will help take up those nitrates and the Floating plants will help diffuse the light, making life tough for the algae.

Edited June 3 by Tommy Vercetti

[Tommy Vercetti]

Then consider a fertilizer like easy green, so that the plants can out compete the algae.

Be advised that the API nitrate test requires that you shake the bottles very, VERY well.

Edited June 3 by Tommy Vercetti