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I don't want to speak too soon but I thought some may find it helpful if I shared details of what seems to be working in terms of dealing with the algae and improving the plant growth. I can't pinpoint any one thing, nor can I discount maturity of the tank playing a role too. That said, these...

FWIW... Here's my battle with algae. I've been keeping planted tanks on and off for about 20 years. High tech and low tech. I was spoilt by an incredibly good experience with my first tank; following the precise methodology set out by some brothers from just north of Milton Keynes who also had a...

Contemplating adding a solenoid or, trading my CO2 supermarket reg for one with a built in solenoid. I'm prompted by reading how CO2 fluctuations can cause algae; figuring shutting it down during lights out will add stability and therefore help reduce algae. Thoughts on this theory welcomed...

How long does a high-tech tank take to mature in your opinion; and what would you expect to be seeing by now?

So... Some weeks later... I've started to get BBA... I think caused by my CO2 running out. Before the BBA the hair algae and coating of green algae on leaves had reduced but then remained fairly persistent. CO2 has been restored and I've recently increased the lighting from 20% to 50% as the...

Brilliant! Thank you for your help. Having done all the other bits (increased dosage, 2x per week water change / clean, increased circulation) things are looking better. The algae seems to be retreating (helped by some physical removal) and new plant growth is looking healthier. I'm awaiting...

So... The aquarium is currently reading 7.0 and the sample taken yesterday is currently reading 8.0... Assuming CO2 is the only influencing factor that shows 30ppm concentration in the aquarium water?

I will indeed check it again later today (about 24hrs after it was taken out). It was just interesting the difference between the two so soon.

Interestingly, the siphoned off sample; measured about 15mins after removing from the aquarium, was 7.1. The aquarium, immediately following the water change, was still at 6.9... I'd just changed about 40% of the water...

In the past I've found solenoids to be a bit of a pain. Running exceptionally hot and a whiff of unreliability. I've had both the "normal" solenoids and the low-heat versions. When I first started in planted aquariums (almost 20 years ago now :crazy:) I ran 24/7 and it was one of my most...

The readings so far seem, erm, static: Lights are on from 4pm to 11pm. CO2 runs 25hrs. Date / Time / PH 16/10/2018 20:45 6.5 17/10/2018 12:13 6.9 17/10/2018 15:51 6.9 18/10/2018 08:32 6.9 18/10/2018 15:52 6.9 18/10/2018 23:12 6.9 19/10/2018 08:11 7.0

I've made a start measuring PH but have another question... My KH is off the scale based on a dip test (actually, two dip tests from different brands). Does this mean my PH will be less reactive to CO2? (Something I thought I read somewhere).

I've bought a cheap but well reviewed one off Amazon. Thanks.

I just looked at the price of the buffer and storage solutions :what:... I have a drop-checker but I like the idea behind this one. Maybe a better use of my investment, albeit not supporting the PH profiling for which I think I may just buy a liquid test kit.

Interestingly the digital pen meters seem almost as faffy as liquid tests - what with calibrating, cleaning with distilled water, and storing with "storage solution". The upside is obviously having a specific value vs trying to match colours etc, however, not the simplicity I was hoping for...

I did come across Hanna but not the more affordable ones you linked to. Quite happy at that price! Out of interest... I've seen images of aquarium water being tested by removing some of the water into a container. Is there a reason the probe is not simply put straight into the aquarium?

I was going to invest in a PH pen but Practical Fishkeeping's recommendation does not appear to be available anywhere! Not sure whether to trust the reviews on Amazon - how can people really tell whether the device is accurate? Surprised Aqua Essentials are not selling a device too. Hmmm...

Thanks for the explanation. My CO2 runs 24hrs per day. On a previous setup I used a solenoid but it was less successful than tanks I ran about 15 years ago which were on for 24hrs (hence why I reverted). In practise I guess that means my setup should peak just before the lights come and be...

That's quite a lot compared to mine, and on a smaller tank too. Do you run if 24hrs or only when lights are on? I'm not sure about the PH. I have some dip tests which probably are not a good enough measure but may give me something to go on. By PH drop I am assuming the difference between the PH...

Thank you. It's my intention to dose after except, with 3x per week dosing and 2x per week water change you end up doing a water change the day after a dose. Hence why I'm thinking I'll dose 2x per week (after the water change).

If I'm reading the correct article then it suggests I should dose 5ml per day? TNC seem to endorse increasing dosage to 5ml 3 times per week to achieve levels similar to EI. Given my current plant mass I think I should err on the side of 3x per week? Becomes hard to dose without then doing a...

Thank you both. I've ordered some more plants. The centre was a lot denser but the plant ended up in a poor state during my holiday and was also thick with aerial roots, making things look quite ugly. The remaining stem plants were heavily pruned. I'll increase the TNC Complete dosage too...

Oh, I see. I've just added one to the album.

I'm not using EI - just 50ml per week of TMC liquid. I've popped some photos in a Google Album. Thank you.

I'm trying to arrest the spread of algae in my four month old tank. I went through the diatoms back when the tank was first set up and things were looking mostly good before I took a three week holiday in August; during which there were no weekly water changes, fert dosing, etc. When I returned...

My high-tech suffered from terrible hair algae. For several reasons I took out the CO2 and reduced the lighting by one tube, stopped dosing EI, and waited... ,,,that was about 6-8 weeks ago and the hair algae has reduced significantly and the plant growth is healthy. Essentially I went from...