hrm, this is odd - Pics added

[Dakota]

I'm getting TONS Of bubbles comming up from the substrate. Not from UNDER it, like rotting things can do... but on the surface, and also throughout my plant surfaces.... but a LOT.... normal?

~Eric

[acbaldwin]

Sounds like pearling... do a google image search for "pearling plants" and see if that looks similar to what you have... Pearling is a good thing. Happens when the dissolved O2 content of your water is too high to allow additional O2 to dissolve, causing bubbles. This means your plants are growing at a fast rate. HTH.

[Dakota]

I think that's it then.... Though some are comming from the substrate....I'll shoot some pics and post them

[Dakota]

Here are some shots.. one of which shows white dots and streeks as bubbles rising.

[sandiegan]

Looks like pearling to me...but from the substrate? Dunno, maybe a tad bit of algae is there or something..

[Dakota]

Looks like pearling to me...but from the substrate? Dunno, maybe a tad bit of algae is there or something..

yeah, but most of it seems to be plant based.. and some of my plants fan into the substrate.. sweet!! This means I"m doing something right!!

And!!!! I just put 20 RCS in there (they're so little and adorable!! ) So they should help with the small bit of algae that has grown on some of the plants...

[acbaldwin]

yep, pearling.
RCS won't help much with that algae, unfortunately.
True SAEs are great for eating black brush algae, but do need a bit of swimming room.

[Haeun]

Lol, looks like your algae might be pearling more than your plants...

[Dakota]

Lol, looks like your algae might be pearling more than your plants...

I noticed that on some parts.

[Dakota]

I noticed that on some parts.

And what's a "true SAE"

[acbaldwin]

True Siamese Algae Eater - kind of look like giant otocinculus. Great algae eaters, specifically of the hard to deal with black brush algae. I say "True" because they are very similar to flying foxes, which ain't worth a knife in a soup factory. FF are often sold as SAE. Google SAE vs. flying fox to find some tips on differentiating between the two. AW carries them regularly, last time I checked.

[Dakota]

hrm... well, I'll look them up... In the mean time, thanks for the advice! But will admit, the cherries add a nice spark of color to the tank ........ when I can find them.

[Haeun]

Should've asked earlier. I gave 6 away less than a month ago.

Another tip I can give you in regards to the algae is to OD Flourish Excel. Turn off all water movement for a little bit, get a syringe or a turkey baster and spray Excel where you have algae. Anywhere from 3-7x usual dosage.

[iVgOnMaD]

Should've asked earlier. I gave 6 away less than a month ago.

Another tip I can give you in regards to the algae is to OD Flourish Excel. Turn off all water movement for a little bit, get a syringe or a turkey baster and spray Excel where you have algae. Anywhere from 3-7x usual dosage.

what does this do?

[Haeun]

Excel is normally a CO2 alternative--provides carbon in another form. However, someone accidentally discovered that overdosing excel makes algae (particularly BBA, which looks like what you have) go away. A week of overdosing (with spot treatment) should do.

See here for more detail: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/al...spot+treatment