I hate this stuff. I am probably gonna have to rescape my 20G because of it. And I am starting to see some in my 50 too.
I was dosing PPS PRO SS (standard solution) for a couple of weeks then switched to PPS PRO NF (Nitrate Free) solution because my nitrates were testing high in both tanks. Not sure what to try next.
I'm thinking about taking KNO3 to make test solutions to test the test kit.
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria
Joe
Joe, flow is definitely an issue. Did you have BGA before you switched to the Nitrate free solution, or only afterwards? If only afterwards, you probably exhausted the Nitrate, and need to switch back to the other solution. Also, even if the nitrate is high, make sure you're still dosing proper amounts of trace, iron, P, and K, or the nitrates won't get used by the plants, as they need those complementary nutrients to use up the N.
If you haven't looked already, there's more info about what you can try here:
http://gwapa.org/articles/algae/
If you haven't looked already, there's more info about what you can try here:
http://gwapa.org/articles/algae/
Most nitrate test kits are pretty well worthless for the levels we are trying to determine. They pretty much all read high whenever I test even though I know that's not the case.
Planted tanks can have levels as high as 40 and 50 ppm as long as there are ample plants to consume extra ammonia.
I say dose the nitrate and forget about testing. I think you'll find that your BGA woes will be a thing of the past.
Planted tanks can have levels as high as 40 and 50 ppm as long as there are ample plants to consume extra ammonia.
I say dose the nitrate and forget about testing. I think you'll find that your BGA woes will be a thing of the past.
I had the BGA before I changed from the standard solution to the nitrate free solution.
I think my circulation is okay; I recently swapped out an Aquaclear 30 HOB and installed an XP1.
I think I am going to go back to the standard solution. My high nitrate readings may have been false or as Aaron says not really a bad thing in a well planted tank. And I am going to remove as much of it as possible in the interim and see how it goes.
The PPS PRO SS consists of NPK and MG; I dose CSM+B seperately. I like PPS PRO for manual dosing because it's portable; I can use the same mix for all 2 of my tanks. You dose 1 ml per every 10 gallons of water.
Will have to figure something else out once I go to auto dosing.
I think my circulation is okay; I recently swapped out an Aquaclear 30 HOB and installed an XP1.
I think I am going to go back to the standard solution. My high nitrate readings may have been false or as Aaron says not really a bad thing in a well planted tank. And I am going to remove as much of it as possible in the interim and see how it goes.
The PPS PRO SS consists of NPK and MG; I dose CSM+B seperately. I like PPS PRO for manual dosing because it's portable; I can use the same mix for all 2 of my tanks. You dose 1 ml per every 10 gallons of water.
Will have to figure something else out once I go to auto dosing.
Joe
