Question about Green Spot Algae

[gvv]

On the plantgeek I found:
"Grows in thin, hard, circular, bright green spots, usually on the aquarium glass but also on plants under high light conditions. Considered normal for planted tanks."

Is this really "normal" to have this algae? As it seems the only one way to get rid of it - cut the leaves

[Anubias]

If the plants are growing fast enough, and if you add adequate CO2, it will disappear eventually. It is difficult though. There is one type of snail that is supposed to eat it -zebra snails?

Regards,

[artw]

I recall something on another msg bd - nerite snails.  (IIRC)

[artw]

ooh I have this again. and I don't even have my fancy new light yet.  I may or may not have the co2 system running this weekend. any quick fixes?

[BigDaddy]

Add phosphate.

[babblefish1960]

Add phosphate.

What do you mean add phosphate, I thought that phosphate would be something that one would try and keep a lid on?

Feel free to correct me here Big Daddy, I'm always open to a differing point of view, especially if it is more on the side of being correct.

[artw]

Big Daddy was a little brief.

In most high light co2 tanks,  phosphate is the limiting nutrient, which means if you have normal levels of nitrate and potassium, but low levels of phosphate, the lower lifeforms in the tank will take over (no, not Zaphod Beeblebrox, that cool cat frood)  I am talking about Algae of course.   so Big Daddy is telling me to add Phosphate,  but of course I won't do that until I actually get my real light, my co2, and my real plants.  I was expecting an easy answer like "Go to big als innes and ask Lt. L.T. Smash for 10 zebra nerite snails"

[BigDaddy]

Adding phosphate is the quick fix.

Babbel:

Phosphate isn't the pure evil it has been painted as in the past.  Whereas before people were keeping phosphate below .25 ppm... now its hovering around the .5 to 1ppm mark.

Phosphate ≠ algae

Phosphate + nutrient imbalance = algae

[babblefish1960]

Ah, I see, the old ideas aren't always correct, that is good news from both of you, my next question inevitably becomes, how does one add phosphate when it has become a banned substance in our waterways?

And how does one, no matter how good-looking they are, determine if the phosphate levels are within the parameters suggested, and that the nutrients aren't out of whack to muck the entire thing up?

I surely enjoy an education when something important comes along, so do tell.

[Seanc]

mono-potasium phosphate, is what i add, i think thats what its called. BigDaddy said you can get them at most horticulturist stores, i got mine from an online place.

I have heard of people having phosphate all the way up at 2ppm, they say that the flowering plants flower realy well at high phosphate levels.

[artw]

you can also buy it at hydroponic stores, a small tub will last you 200 years.   Maybe if someone could bring a small ziplock bag to the meeting, me and babblefish could split it