650L Aquarium Update: A Lifelong Battle with Algae - But I won, haha!

I believe I have a lifelong battle with algae. My large aquarium didn't start smoothly. Algae appeared, and I had to fight it hard.
Over the years, I've learned to be more accepting and patient. I give time to find and solve the problem. Sometimes there are dangerous situations, but they resolve over time.
I've never had an aquarium like this before; I thought it would start smoothly, but it didn't. Algae is common in new setups, but here, it grew to significant proportions, and it was the aggressive horn algae.
Let's clarify something: algae is a natural occurrence. Don't worry if you see it in your aquarium. However, it can also indicate an imbalance or an issue.
After a few weeks of struggle, I managed to solve the problem. It's not perfect now, there's still some algae, but it's not bothersome. In fact, it adds a natural touch.
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thecinescaper
thecinescaper
My Gear for geeks:
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DJI RS 3 gimbal
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Edited and graded in Final Cut pro X
Music: Epidemic Sound

[@sarpijk]

Hi, I believe what contributes to the problem which is high organics is the gravel used as substrate. It is too coarse with big gaps and it accumulates debris. This is why I have been using sand in my aquariums. You can still do it and your pygmy corydoras will really enjoy it!

[@cindyannohara]

I agree substrate can make a huge difference in the set up of an aquascape, and help with the overall stability of the set up. I have tanks with very course gravel (mainly due to the cost as it is a 300gal) and a long standing set-up which also has similar course gravel and both have no algae but I do have an army of clean up crew who get all the left overs. I also feed every other day so the next day they have the opportunity to get all the food that was missed. Good flow is also important and lighting on a timer and consistent water changes (consistency mainly) all play into a stable system. .But I have tanks with sand (a resent setup in my fishroom provided the importance of a good substrate from the beginning) I used some aqauasoil mix from other tanks and topped with new fluval aqasoil and Seachem black sand and I've had nothing but trouble. So I agree - having the correct layers course to fines on top seems to be a good way of keeping algae away.

[@Rorther]

Yep. Not only this, but he was moving the gravel too much to removes algaes, which unirocally were bringing all the waste back to the water.

[@Exquailibur]

I think part of it is that in nature you don't find patches of gravel that are exactly the same size that go down to a solid bottom in nature, I used a river gravel that has every size from sand to about pea size mixed together (like a real river) and it worked out really well. I get the benefits of sand but the look of a gravel bed and not only that but the size variation made it look more natural and I think it helped the plants root a lot better than regular sand or gravel. Its really hard to buy that though so you may have to get it yourself which may be illegal in some places, where I am its illegal to harvest sand and gravel from rivers because on large scales it is really damaging. I am quite lazy though so i tend to prefer aquariums that are heavily planted with slower growing plants that I dont need to trim and I like to have wood and a few leaves since I find that it builds a healthy community of microorganisms that feed my fish for me. If possible I like to try and make something sustainable that I dont need to feed very often, I can easily go a month without feeding my 29 gallon without any risk. Feeding less also seems to make it easier to keep fish alive for longer but at the cost of slower growing and for me thats a worthy trade since id rather get a few more years out of the fish then have it get to full size as fast as possible. Goes without saying though that my tanks are a bit under stocked but I prefer that over lots of maintenance.

[@pete_k]

He has a video in wich he builds this setup. Most of the substrate is some sort of an aqua-soil (i.e. fertilized soil). A small amount of gravel was added on top of that, only as a decoration, and only on visible areas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJqcgXSErbunbJIsi=TlSJ508pWOIbasRD So there's likely a constant flow of nutrients from the bottom, too big for the plants to handle. Water parameters look about ok, maybe because the algae is quickly absorbing everything, and at the same time robbing most CO2. But anyway, you are right, sand would do a better job (if spread metculously) in this case too; it would cap the soil better, making it available mainly for the plant roots.

[@Rorther]

It went from nofish to 100+ fish suddenly. I'd suggest adding they a bit more slowly, so the cycle doesn't change too drasitcally.

[@nhantran8254]

I think that's the reason too. Any sudden change can break the balance. I learn that the hard way, and I'm still battling with the annoying blue green algae/bacteria.

[@jenpink4298]

I am so sorry that you had to go through this epic battle with the algae! But I am glad that you haven’t forgotten about us😂 Your videos are so beautiful and so entertaining that it’s hard to wait for a new one. I can’t wait to see the new video of what is obviously going to be a spectacular tank!

[@exoye777]

LETS GO !!! YOU ARE BACK !! YOUR AQUARIUM PROJECTS INSPIRE ME DAILY!! THANK YOU !!

[@TheCineScaper]

I am glad to hear that! Thank you :)

[@cindyannohara]

Hi CineScaper, I think we have all felt this way, frustrated because of algae. I rarely have algae outbreaks but if I forget a water change of don't trim the tanks I get the black hair algae and I have to cut the effected leaves off. I add juvenile Siamese algae eaters to my tanks when ever I start a new large scape (I give them back to the aquarium store when the get to big and fat for my tanks) and if you can get shrimp they are a great algae clean up crew. But I've been there, thought I had done everything right and then I am plagued with huge algae breakouts. I recently set up to identical tanks in my fish room for plant propagation for my trimmings and quarantine. One tank always had huge algae breakouts and the other perfect. Same water parameters, lighting etc.... It drove me crazy, so crazy I tore down the one which had the algae issues, and when doing so I realized I used some old used substrate in that tank and the other was 100% fluval aqua soil. I believe this is likely my issue and I'm going to redo this tank with 100% new aqau soil in the hopes that this will solve my problem. I wish you luck... there is nothing worse than making an effort and nothing working to solve.

[@h_0_w_d_e_r]

I'm almost crying from how beautiful this aquarium looks. Incredible job, keep it coming

[@tombarb2864]

Thanks for your video. I’m proud of you for not giving up! All the best to you.

[@Casualfulltime]

That is a lot of chemicals. Amazing the fish survived. Epic tank build! Well done!

[@aquariumcomeback3841]

Thx for showing the darkside of our hobby 🙏🏻😉

[@TheCineScaper]

🙌

[@headfakez]

Your aquariums and design are beautiful! Algae or no Algae! =)

[@TheCineScaper]

Thanks :)

[@norbertthoens3561]

Die Geduld, die du vermissen ließest bei Einsetzen der Fische, hast du Gott sei Dank beim "Kampf" gegen die Algen gehabt! 👍

[@XBullitt16X]

These are the growing pains we just have to go trough in the hobby, when setting up a tank sometimes. However once a tank finally stabilises and balances out, it becomes fully established and that's when the hobby becomes truly rewarding. The tank becomes almost entirely self sustaining, water changes become minimal to completely unnecessary, feeding times rarer, fish are healthy and algae never blooms again thanks to the plants. I had a terrible blue green algae bloom and hair algae in my tank in the past, it covered everything. I had to resort to a full week long, light block out of the tank, which was successful and killed all the algae entirely, after then I never had issues with algae again.

[@TropicaAquariumPlants]

kudos to you for not giving up 🌱🌱✌✌💪💪

[@Chameshi]

Thanks for the update, and glad it worked out for you!

[@zcooper6582]

Hello here are a few tips from someone with a tiny bit of experience with stage horn algae. Idetify it early on: stage horn algae turns red (just like in this video) if dipped in alcohol (then you know what your dealing with) I found liquid Co2 definitely helped me get rid of it. Pros of liquid Co2: kills stage horn alage my java fern loved it Cons of liquid Co2: some people find it negatively effects shrimp (not quite kill them just makes them more lethargic) my vallisneria did not seem to like it however this could have been due to other factors in the tank. I also found the liquid Co2 stoped the spread of my black beard algae but did not kill it (It actually looked rather cool on my log) Like exotic moss lol

[@paulouzman7267]

My 90 gallon tank has been set up now for 10 months. Started getting green algea on plants and hardscape 6 months ago. Thought the bristlenose would deal with it but he didn't. Started getting BBA a couple of months ago so decided to change my routine and bring in the heavy hitters. Cut feeding down to once a day, cut lighting down to 6hrs a day and added 5 SAE's. Seemed to have turned a corner. The green algea is being reduced significantly but not the BBA so much. Think the SAE's prefer the green and will takle the BBA when that has gone. Still early days yet but have fingers crossed.

[@paul68clarke]

Im in the same boat right now. Thank you so much by the way. I just killed it with flourish excel but it plagued me for weeks and i couldnt get a name for it anywhere. Staghorn algae you say. Stuff was a nightmare. Iv still a little black beard goin on so im going to try a double dose of flourish excel. 👍

[@jkellyid]

So in my own time in planted tanks I combat algae with two things. Most commonly potassium deficiency and otherwise under fertilizing a tank relative to what most people do, and then building the fish and invert list around a clean up team. 2/3 or more of the stock list eat some form of algae. This has proven to be a very low maintenance and cost effective way to do the hobby for me

[@diontrespeller]

Awesome Work

[@rikikun3]

i loved your theatrical move brother 😁

[@PaulZyCZ]

Great video! True, with algae there are multiple approaches. There are more low-tech ways to deal with algae, but most things are same. I don't like using "liquid CO_2", but against algae it's usually enough (of course here it wasn't enough). AFAIK before aquariums it was used against algae in ponds (pools?). By killing algae it helps most plants to grow, while hurting mosses and few other plants. I have no idea what it does to fish if dosed long-term, but short-term it's fine. The end result speaks for itself! The tank looks great.

[@greeneyedpixie2]

Thanks for existing. You are the best.

[@rgilroy1909]

Weird how, sometimes, INCREASING FERTS works better than reducing them in reducing algae. in all of my heavily planted aquariums I have very low levels of NPK. result=ALGAE!! So increasing my fert levels, the algae started to fade. especially the thread algae.

[@davidbaker6382]

Wow what a battle!

[@AquaDoza]

Hello! Wow, how beautiful! I admire your work! Super 👍

[@oORaaA338]

Yep, aquariums are better off on KZbin than in my living room 😅. These are gorgeous but look like a pain to maintain

[@Ticalafon]

I love your videos, keep your amazing work!!!

[@williammcdowell6257]

Very entertainingly presented. Suspect low levels of dissolved CO2 lay at the root of the issue, circulation of CO2 has also played a part when I have had this problem.

[@rhyanlumilay6317]

I think you should put Goldfish, Snails, Plecos, Corys, shrimps and anything that is herbivores and omnivores that should take care of the algaes. I think there are abundant of nutrients in the tank and the light was on for too long.

[@usmc187]

Nice video with your recommendation for battling this type of algae.

[@MehHalfhearted]

I find that staghorn is like diatoms. It shows up in new tanks around the 2-3 month mark and goes away on its own after a month.

[@siyafakher1594]

Caping with Sand helps keep all that good stuff in the substrate for the root feeding plants, reduce length of time which the lighting is kept on, use less ferts your just feeding the algae because the algae will consume the additional nutrients quicker than the other plants, add some floating plants of the larger variety so u can take them out afterwards if you want. Algae isn't bad for your tank, it's actually good but unsightly. Also introduce more clean up crew of algae eaters like Otocinclus or Siamese Algae Eater Crossocheilus oblongus, Amano Shrimp, Malaysian Trumpet Snails. Personally I would never use what are effectively toxins which disrupt the organic balance of your aquarium. Set up properly and let nature take it's course. You have a beautiful set up, take your time. Take out all the plants, then temporarily rehouse the fish then add no more than 2 inches of sand to cap off the substrate. If you like place some root tabs in strategic positions before capping. Then replant and add even more plants varieties, finally reintroduce your fish. That set up, will be so much easier to maintain and with the introduction of the clean up clue, additional plants and floaters suggested above, it should keep algae at bay.

[@sagamuch7862]

I punched the like button when the saltbae show up..😂

[@jfwyvill]

Such a gorgeous setup.

[@PlantedTank]

i changed nothing. I only added 2 weeks, every day liquid carbon and the algae was gone after two weeks and never came back.

[@Fitna.United]

I never use the water from the stores. Full with BS haha. Very nice setup!

[@nandalalsharma]

You are my inspiration ❤

[@user-yx8gs6bw3m]

AMAZING AS ALWAYS

[@charliemalinis5028]

Your tanks are beautiful and i love how you edit your videos😀 music and all😀

[@goober-ll1wx]

I'm almost 100% certain its down to your substrate...

[@angelinak589]

Yeahhh finally!!🎉🎉

[@TheCineScaper]

🙌

[@markaicru2460]

Look like your spending most of your time dealing with the algae. I have 4 aquarium and for me its a stress reliever. It seams that your aquarium is giving you allot of stress. I feel sad for you bro. Have you tried using nerite snail one snail can rid all of that algae. Or try putting gold fish. I had an algae infestation on one of my tanks and those non stop nibbling goldfish eat all the algae even those on the leaves. And one more thing do not put un sterilized tap water add uv sterilization in your water system it will help allot. Good luck. 😊 Another thing try to get those plants roots in your thank it will absorb the un necessary nitrate in your tanks.

[@angelinak589]

I have the similar problem in new aquarium because of too light and long sun day, many food for plants and no CO2

[@leefamily9000]

Staghorn and bba are the worst! I’m battling both right now.

[@flablanche]

Love your scapes. But please, Corydoras NEED sand for their health and are sensitive to fertilizers that decrease their longevity. I'm in love with this little guys :)

[@mirmetch1]

Wonderful video

[@niemand1231000]

This type of algae was only present in middle hard water for me . Since i got reverse osmosis , running my aquariums with pH round about 6 , kH 1-2 and gH 4-6 i never saw them again.

[@streettrash4220]

Am I the only one that sort of likes the way staghorn algae looks? There’s something alien about it to me and I often find myself staring at it waving in the current.

[@dt6750]

i got rid of SA in my tank by painstakingly pulling them by hand, spot treat with liquid CO2, and cut down light to just 5 hrs.

[@SM-wv2nu]

An ecosystem was trying it's hardest to form and he's just like *FUCK OFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

[@joshuamorillon2126]

Amano shrimp will take care of that algae problem for you. 🙂

[@Aquaart60]

great for this fight , beautiful tank !!

[@save7043]

Also could add Siamese algae eaters. This is a great algae cleaning fish

[@Necrosias]

I Hope it stays that way. I did the same experiments on my KZbin Channel. And the fact is: I still dont know what worked! But it did! For almost 1 year. Now they are back 😢

[@fazry88]

on snail is very cute though

[@TheCineScaper]

Indeed 😅

[@jenpink4298]

It is really cute😂 It doesn’t seem to be bothering it at all, I think that snail feels fancy

[@NicolasCliche]

You said it right, you need CO2 and good daily dosing. No CO2 is not an option. Also add lots of Amano Shrimp!

[@panjimartiandaru3081]

You know things are bad that even the snail is covered in algae (even tho only one) 😂

[@TheCineScaper]

🤪

[@randyhaight7202]

"Liquid CO2" is so misleading. It's usually glutaraldehyde, which is an algecide.

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

Excellent video, great music and editing. I have used liquid carbon and hydrogen peroxide but it destroyed my plant growth

[@yansanshi4188]

but,,, the snail with a coral-ish algae attached to its shell is kinda cool looking!!

[@breakyerface]

This is why I never add the water that comes in the bag with the fish. It's way too nutrient dense and throws the tank out of balance. Transfer them to a large bowl or bucket and then net the fish to the tank.

[@TheCineScaper]

FIRST!!

[@jenpink4298]

😂😂😂

[@schnuuuu]

Cheater!

[@valentinvalentinus791]

Grat!

[@adrianmaravilla285]

I have tiny of those algae in a 2.5 galloon and my Malaysian trumpet snail seem to like them.

[@asifali007]

nice tank and results did you turn off the filter and lights for an hour while applying hydrogen peroxide? i am getting a very bad white fuzzy growth on my substrate and plants(need to clean daily)..my tank is 24 days old(ammonia 0..nitrite also zero)..should i try this or plant more (no fish yet)? i stopped fertilizer for few days ..photoperiod is 6hrs max..my tank is not heavily planted tho..

[@projectBlueGreen]

thats awsome.....🥰

[@RayRoberts]

What was the scheduling app you used?

[@DJPerfectPoise]

I think it was for an auto doser for the liquid ferts.

[@Jessiezamarron]

I had black algae problem. Really bad was destroying everything. Did many thing to get rid of it and finally what helped was less light and no blue light.

[@joeljoseph26]

For someone wondering about the BGM used: Premiere - Presto - ANBR Adrian Berenguer kzbin.info/www/bejne/d53ZkIZoerZ_eNk&ab_channel=AdrianBerenguer-ANBRMusic

[@joannecummins5265]

hi, last you create a kit for the lost world that we could create ourselves.. could i ask ho do you use the plant ferts that were included...? thankyou

[@volodymyrpogynaiko5008]

Did you try AMANO shrimp? They took care of my algae problem in a week :)

[@luiswicho5301]

good job pal. Congratulations. However, I think your fish provider isn't so reliable. Cheers.

[@a3_vistas_aquarium_798]

Con el antialgas (Blanket-Answers) se consigue eliminar el alga con una sola dosis de manera radical sin hacer daño a peces y plantas, yo lo probé en mi estanque y me elimino de manera radical el alga filamentosa.

[@save7043]

Could it be from the water from the bag? I never mix the water from the fish shop as you never know the condition of the water.

[@ludovicquinonero4356]

I’m very surprise you introduse so many fish in this tank but only few algae eaters. No doubt that Gara rufa for ex had solve your problem rapidly.

[@stunneragk]

Wait, why would you dose more ferts in the water to get rid of algae? You do realize its probable excess nutrients in the water that led to the algae outbreak.

[@astleseethal130]

at any point did you think, "hey what about some proper algae eating fish?" a few siamese algae eaters would have made quick work of this. maybe even some neocaridina shrimp

[@TheNumbers400]

I have had this problem with Tropica Soil but never Fluval Stratum

[@PianoKoen]

If I had to take a guess I’d say your filter probably wasn’t quite ready for the large amount of fish which may have caused some nitrate buildup? In any case stunning aquarium!

[@63yearoldskater]

Beautiful aquarium! I'm interested in your opinion about the "natural method" of Father Fish (easily found on KZbin) I am doing as much research as possible before I dive back into the hobby after a 25 year sabbatical. Thanks!

[@georgebutterworth5018]

Looks like one of the barbs has a deformity

[@marcelorodrigues1683]

Wonderful, haha !

[@ranjandas8609]

2 pleco and game over 😂

[@thaqiahamed5207]

Why are my plants dying? Everything is fine in the tank but the plants are dying. what reason?

[@Cor_Netto]

Why did you add fertilizers? Algae thrive on them

[@captainweird1822]

I have managed to balance a few tanks now, and my most recent one (currently ) doesn't have a clean up crew. I personally have found, that using things like excel, actually make it worse in the long run. Because while it kills the algae, it stresses out the plants, which makes them not uptake the same amount of nutrients, leading to more of an imbalance, causing algae, and then encouraging you to dose more excel. In my experience, its just better to get everything dialed in as best you can, and make small changes. And avoid chemical warfare for as long as you can.

[@spuddy553]

hello, why did adding fertilizer and co2 rid the algae? doesnt that feed it?

[@helloaldrian]

Because you want to throttle the plants growth so all the nutrients are used by the plants instead of the algae.

[@lucky.creator007]

which plant is this ? you have removed

[@leonacollet4051]

By introducing too many fish at once, your quickly increasing the bioload within the system, which the plants, bacteria and other organisms cant breakdown quickly enough. Then you would get the algae growing/appearing.

[@cocorocko]

Do you have a Co² tank for this aquarium?

[@dglafter0195]

I have put 2 siamese algae eater, they ate all black algae from plants, but not from the rocks

[@prezoni01]

it looks like you dont have aquarium soil?

[@poojarid]

Hi Want to add coconut plat its grown in my house without soil is it possible ?

[@mangableu]

I had the same problem before. Solution: I changed the place of the aquarium, no light, no fishes during 8 months. Now I dont have any snails and algae

[@BaptisteLandrodie]

That tank is amazing, what's the brand of it ?

[@lucasacosta3446]

My battle horse vs this algae its some Crossocheilus oblongus, eat this algae in a few days. Do you have or try this fish?

[@liam-n8098]

Nice I subscribed

[@fazry88]

been so long...

[@cylemalcolm5434]

I would think increased fertilizer would help the algae

[@valentinvalentinus791]

Increasing the plant food with regular high water changes helps plants to overcome algae. It's a strange thing to do, but it works.

[@sanchezrojasvanessa]

😂😂😂😂😂 el chef de los acuarios 😂😂😂😂😂