Aquarium Algae

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aquarium algae.?

it is about my 70 gallon. im just starting to get conscious about its algaes. i mean, i could take it but i guess my plants are affected in a way, perhaps.
my question is: will injecting CO2 help reduce (or eventually extinguish) the algae? the vallis have lots of them in their leaves, the aquarium glass also develops those green dots which i have to smudge off.
the tank receives about an hour of direct sunlight, though in parts only. it is beside the window. also, a fluorescent 20 W is on in, duration is irregular.

the substrate: i employ garden soil, topped with gravel. which i suppose is the “crushed coral” type.

no ferts

no co2 injection

with driftwoods

inhabitants: 2 bolivian rams, 5 black tetras, 3 neons, 1 platy, 1 pleco, 2 z.danios. and a few snails too, which somehow i see feeding on the algae.

i dont wanna use algae chemicals or something. so i wonder if the addional CO2 would help. please let me know, at least in this case. thanks a lot.

How are your plants doing? I would only add more CO2 if your plants are starving for it. Algae and live plants are competing for the same nutrients. If you have too much of any nutrient that can encourage algae growth as your plants can’t consume it all. If you don’t have enough than your algae may out compete the plants for those nutrients. If your plants seem to be doing fine than I wouldn’t add any extra co2.
It’s really all about equilibrium. I would first try to reduce the light (not only the lights outside your tank, but also the light FOR your tank). I’m assuming you have your lights on for at least 10 hours a day for the plants? Try cutting it down to 9 and see what happens.
Excess co2 can potentially also harm your fish (who need oxygen to survive).
Another option is to get some algae eating fish. Otocinclus will eat algae off of anything. Siamese algae eaters are ok also. You could also throw in a couple freshwater snails, just be careful what kind you do otherwise you could have an entire tank full of them.
In the end, all tanks develop some form of algae. You just have to find that balance (fish, lights, nutrients) that works best in your situation.

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