Struggling With Plants And Algae

Can I still post in newbie section, my tank is now 8 months old

I'm still not happy with the tank though, I buy plants to die in my tank, there is little else they seem to do except some from the outset which still spring new growth from the base (Echinodorus bleheri and Vallisneria sp. ‘Natans’)

Both are now covered in what I've determind is black beard algae and I've tried the SeachemFlourish route and it kills spots but it's growing faster it seems than I can spot treat without overdosing.  It's not taken over the tank  far from it, almost looks like it should be part of the Vallisneria sp. ‘Natans’ but I know looking closely it annoys me.

I've done a tone of research and it all says algae is from poor water conditions but unless I'm doing some drastically wrong I don't think my water is bad.  I now use 50/50 with RO water, nitrate level is 20ppm at the weekly 20% water change.  Ammonia and Nitrite are spot on at 0ppm.  PH still 8.2 and the hardness has come down thanks to RO water to KH 71 and GH 160 (think that is the right way round, need to check figures I had.

I've read BBA could be poor circulation so I've got a powerhead coming just to help with circulation I do spot some debris at the back of the tank and my heater is now showing LF which it hasn't for past 7months.  I need to work out why I've got BBA and so much online I just don't know where to begin.

I think I need to get my plants growing to out compete with the BBA, so I've invested in a new light, gone of the Fluval AquaSky (1100 lumen) I now have the Fluval Plant Spectrum 3.0 which can now give off 2400 lumen which is what is needed based on Tropica site.

Now online I'm reading the best settings and I have it down at 50% for most whites, 25% for red and 3% blue.  Does that mean I've wasted my money and I should've stuck to the original light given I'm only using 50% of it   

The reason I turned to a new light source is Limnophila sessiliflora was struggling to stay upright and browning so surely a sign of poor light.  Having made adjustments to the light it seems darker than original.  Is it a case of don't trust my eyes, the light is better so doesn't have to appear brighter?

I feel like I'm at a loss, increase light to feed plant demands but then it will help the algae grow.

You sure it's great minds if we're both killing plants and have algae   

I'm at a cross road, increase light either by length (currently 9hrs) or intensity over say 7 or 8hrs.  I've even looked at CO2 kits but that looks confusing.

What fertilisation are you doing??

Dont tell me I should'nt go Fluval lighting haha, I went on a mad lock down spending spree at the weekend.  Bought the new light which was not cheap, power head, Co2 test kit and i'm sure some other bits I've forgotten about which will appear in the post soon.

I read Co2 fluctuations due to bad water flow could be a cause hence the power head.  I since remembered I added 2 months ago the Fluval Phosphate removal media and two weeks ago changed it.  Having read up about the triangle of components needed for plant life I realised I could be remove much needed phosphorous and potassium.  I've just removed it and add some polisher pads instead and flow seems better so I wonder if that was a cause.

Can you test all the levels of nutrients in the water to see where you're going wrong or is trial and error?

@jaypeecee meaning as a joke

I’ve had the Fluval light less than 24hrs at some expense to try fix light issues and your reply was you wouldn’t use it.  As in I’ve already made my first error 

Dont tell me I should'nt go Fluval lighting haha, I went on a mad lock down spending spree at the weekend.

you wouldn’t use it.  As in I’ve already made my first error

Firstly, don't panic - it's not an error. Everyone has different views on lighting systems. JPC and possibly others on here don't like Fluval lighting but I've read of plenty of others who use it and rave about how good it is and wouldn't try anything else. I'll have a dig around those posts elsewhere and see if I can find anything in relation to your issues that might remedy it - won't get a chance to do this until later in the week, though.

I'm a bit perplexed as to why Fluval only suggested a fortnightly water change and what their rationale was - I'd stick with weekly (assuming that's what you do).

Sounds a good plan to try out the plant in different locations to see where it does best - keep us posted on this.

I'm afraid I'll have to leave the rest of your questions to others.

Thanks Matt, not seen the other thread, anyone able to share the subject and I'll go hunting.

Test kit arrived for Phosphate today, reading is 0.25ppm so no issues there.  Not sure if the pads in for two days would reduce it significantly for my test today to have been too late to see high troublesome readings.

I didnt believe Phosphate was the issue but when you speak to Fluval directly you expect to receive a reliable answer.  It seems not. 

Do the plants need phosphate to grow or is 0.25ppm an ok reading?

Thanks will look at that shortly.  Just tested tap water also 0.25ppm.  Half my tank will be RO water too.

Reduced temp slightly to 24.5 with a plan to get it down to 23.5 tomorrow.  Was 25.5 sometimes 26 with last weeks weather.

Saw this interesting article, @Marcus_F - https://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/blog/2012/07/my-tank-has-hair-algae-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it.html?fbclid=IwAR2FW4Vu_3_q8Z7GmwCVpd0_jIGnXSDuIkZ5uTaKLwRFVdu16UoiVC8Xiag

Edited to add: This is also worth a read too - https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/carbon-in-the-planted-aquarium-gas-vs--liquid/