It's been a while since I've updated. Quite a bit has changed. On the equipment side of things, its now running 2x Eheim Pro3 2080s with their included intakes and goosenecks. I have also increased the lighting from 10x 10W Cree XML LEDs to 20x 10W Cree XML LEDs. Mainly for better spread of lighting though, I don't run them at full power unless I wanna take pictures or when visitors come over.
Plants have changed quite a bit. I've been pulling stuff out that have failed and replacing them. Rotala macranda, Mayaca fluviatilis, Rotala rotundifolia, Barclaya longifolia red have all but failed as I keep trying to find the balance between light and algae. About the only plant that is really successful are the ferns and the Tonina. Even hairgrass refuses to spread. I've got Ludwigia palustris, Proserpinaca palustris, Hygrophilla sp Araguaia and Rotala nanjean (I think) as new additions.
Here's what it looks like.
In terms of algae, here's what I've been battling. GSA on Anubias coffeefolia and barteri nana. I've sub-divided my ferns to try and shade them.
Slight bit of BGA on the front glass and lots of BBA everywhere. I've been treating BBA with spot-dosed Excel and it seems to have slowed down a bit.
Pathetic condition of Lobelia cardinalis. It was growing fine for a while, then became very stunted.
Any tips on algae? I've adjusted my lighting to generate about 50-60 PAR on the substrate. In mid-water where the stems are its around 80-100. CO2 is running at uncountable bps through an inline UpAqua diffuser (the Y-shaped one) on the outlet of one of the 2080s. Outlets are places on the right facing the left. There is flow and tiny CO2 bubbles pretty much everywhere. I've also started injecting air at night through an airstone, as you can see in the FTS.