Tag Archives: system

My tank has now been established for well over one year. I used to have a DIY CO2 system set up, but I have taken it out since it has caused an abundance of algae.

This aquarium is brackish water housing two puffer fish and one sailfin molly.

There is no sunlight on this tank, I have dark curtains since I worked third and slept during the day I kept out all light for purposes of sleeping.

I am using 2 40 watt bulbs over this 30 gallon tank, They are Life Glo 2 bulbs by hagen. Those are 6,700K bulbs. (Though I am still getting holes in my leaves!)

I use a micro fertilizer once a week, as I have all live plants in this tank. SeaChem Floruish (no iron) (The white bottle not the blue bottle, Possibly past shelf life as it was oozing from the lid when purchased.)

I have a timer for my lights on a 10 hour cycle.

I have to do a 50% water change weekly (Gravel siphon) with a total scrub down of all walls just to keep the algae at an acceptable level. Longer than that and it will take over.

I have added hornwort as I read it uses the excess nutrients and keeps algae to a minimum, with no results.

Most of the algae is green, but there is some brown too in the back of the tank.

I feed my fish only once a day, bloodworms, brine shrimp, krill, ghost shrimp.

I took out every plant about three weeks ago, and used a 1 part bleach/90 part water solution in hopes of killing off all algae blooms, but I might not have had the solution strong enough because it is still on my plants.

Are there any brackish water adaptable algae eaters? I mean.. Far as I know I am doing everything I need to. I realize the watts are strong for only 30 gallons, but I want to be able to have more than just java fern, java moss in my tank.

Any advice will be helpful in eradicating this problem algae!
Thank you in advance for any and all answers.
The lights are set about 3 inches above the tank, which I realize is going to cut down the actual light going into the tank, but it’s as close as I can get it and still be able to clean the tank and feed my fish.

Hopefully there is enough information here to get a good answer from the experts! Thanks!
I have researched all my plants before adding them into my brackish tank. Hornwort is brackish water adaptable, yes.

The algae is on the glass, mostly. Also in the water itself, presenting as, green water.

Also I do feed frozen foods bloodworms, brine shrimp…

Scats dig up plants. Not what I’m going for with this tank.. but thank you so much for taking the time to answer.

More answers please!
Marimo moss balls are brackish water adaptable, yes. Thank you for that answer!

I would add some java moss, as I’ve heard the same about it, but I dont want it everywhere. The moss ball just stays in a ball, yes?
According that that site Kat, I’ve got green water, not as bad as in the picture as I take care of it weekly. Brush algae and possibly slime algae but I think it’s more likely a result of the green water rather than it’s own separate type. As WELL as brown algae.. what a mess eh?
Other than adding marimo balls.. Which I am looking into on Ebay.. Since I’m getting holes in my leaves.. I dont know that lowering the fertilizer would be a good thing? I was actually thinking of going to the recommended twice a week feeding.. But what else can I do??

More answers please!
Well, thanks John.. Shrimp actually are one of my puffer’s favorite foods. So I doubt the shrimp idea would work out.

And Kat, the holes are throughout the leaf, the Molly does pick at some of the algae, but in no way controls it.

Granted, When I do my 50% water change, and scrub down everything, the water is no longer green. It’s pretty and blue, for a few days until the process begins again.

I wish Soop were here, I know he could help me. *sigh!*

I did order those Marimo balls John, I got three 1.5 inch balls for around 9.00 with a 4.00 shipping in 10-12 days.. They are coming from Malaysia! But I have dealt with this seller before, they have very good feedback. I’m hoping these three balls will help out along with the water changes. I dont even have a reflector set up with my lights, and the base of the light is painted black (Heat proof paint)

Maybe I could back the lights off an inch or two to decrease the intensity?? But all my plants need that light… It’s so confusing!