Hello All,
My 125L community tank is now 9 months old. Initially, during my very protracted fishless cycling, I ended up with a lot of green and brown algae, and nitrate readings "off the scale". After cycling, I quickly added otos and panda cories. Both thrived, and the algae disappeared
. About 3 months ago, I noticed that it was reappearing, so I added 6 Amano shrimps, but the algae has continued to thrive. At that time my nitrate levels were about 40 ppm. So, with only 5 ppm in my tap water, I decided that I must be overfeeding, and I reduced the feed by about 50%. Nitrate is now 20 ppm, but the algae situation has not improved.
. Also, the "pan scourer" glass cleaner which I got from MA is ineffective. It just rides over the surface of the green spots on the glass.
Today, a very battered API phosphate test kit arrived from Amazon, and I tested both tap and tank. To my amazement there is more phosphate in the tap (2 - 5ppm) than there is in the tank (1 ppm)! I know that at this time of the year, after farmers etc. have fertilised their fields both phosphate and nitrate can and do end up in our tap water. Also, water authorities add phosphate to "line" the inside of any lead pipes still out there, to reduce lead poisoning.
Otherwise, my heavily planted tank is thriving, and the otos etc. are just as busy as ever. I have read much about algae on here and elsewhere, and as usual, some of it is totally contradictory. Any thoughts as to where I go from here? MY current feelings are to sit tight for another 2 months, and see if the algae eventually reduces. I welcome any thoughts and suggestions.
Skittler