Try to use filters or pumps strategically by aiming their output to create a circular water current. This will not only distribute nutrients throughout the tank but will also eliminate or reduce stagnant dead spots where organic waste will accumulate and contribute to algae growth on plants.
Dirty Conditions This is where most of us fail, as proper maintenance often gets overlooked while putting all our efforts into lighting and nutrition. To prevent dirty conditions, start by removing all dead plant matter and old growth. Check under the plants to see if they are healthy, since any unhealthy plants (stunted growth, old growth, dying leaves, etc.) can easily become hosts for algae. Vacuum your substrate and around the base of plants as necessary, removing detritus that otherwise would contribute to soil compaction. This will help sustain the breathability of the substrate. Dosing a complete nutrient system will help keep plants healthy.
Maintaining a clean filter is as important as keeping the inside of the aquarium clean. Thoroughly clean or replace the mechanical filtration (filter floss, filter pads, etc.) in your filter as necessary, and keep the biological media (ceramic rings, bio-balls, etc.) under aquarium water to avoid compromising the beneficial bacteria. This will help prevent cloudy water. Keep the water’s surface free of scum. This is easily achieved by creating surface agitation. Aim filter outputs or circulation pumps toward the water’s surface, or use a surface skimmer. This will not only help filter free-floating debris from the water, but it will also increase the rate of oxygen exchange, which will aid the beneficial bacteria and further help reduce organics.
Maintenance Methods Below are two basic maintenance routines that you can use to help keep your planted aquarium algae-free: Trimming unhealthy or dying plant leaves will improve plant growth.
Detritus can be removed from the substrate with a siphon.
12 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine
Preventative Maintenance Method ‒‒ Perform a 50 percent water change once a week for tanks with CO2, 25 percent for tanks without CO2 ‒‒ Vacuum the substrate and around the base of plants once a month ‒‒ Trim plants as necessary ‒‒ Remove dead or old leaves once a week ‒‒ Set the photoperiod to 8–10 hours per day using a timer ‒‒ Clean or replace filter pads regularly as required, at least every other month Algae-Eliminating Maintenance Method ‒‒ Perform a 50 percent water change twice a week after manually removing as much algae as possible ‒‒ Reduce the photoperiod to 6 hours per day using a timer ‒‒ Set CO2 to turn on 30 minutes prior to lights turning on (to minimize CO2 fluctuations) ‒‒ Remove dead or old leaves on a daily basis ‒‒ Vacuum the substrate and around the base of plants with every water change ‒‒ If possible, remove algae-covered hardscape materials, and clean them under running water
Fourth Quarter 2018