Hey Matt
There are two long threads in the planted tank sub forum.
Nutrients and Algae crash course
Nutrients and Algae book 2
They are listed in the top 10 posts bar on the right when you open the forum. Reading there may help a bit.
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I still do not understand what creates the perfect environment for algae to develop and what combative measures stop algae from happening - and exactly why and how these measures work.
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That is really a very open ended question. There are many hundreds of algae species and strains, each species triggered by different conditions.
First you need the algae, either airborne, or hitchhiking in on a plant. How you can be selective about that is not apparent to me, unless you have friends with algae you can take samples of.
The most common green algae will flourish in a planted tank if A. the plant mass is small and in decline from lack of care. B. small plant mass, lots of light 3.5 watts per gallon with over feeding and high nutrients.
Long photo periods will do it. Just leave the light on 12-14 hours a day.
In a high tech, well planted tank, with high light and a nutrient dosing program including CO2...the inconsistent use of CO2 and PO4 will induce BBA to bloom if it is present in the tank.
Hope that helps a little
Jay
