OutdoorHero
Seedling
Right then folks. My first post on any internet forum ever. I've been reading the forum for about a month now, so I feel that i half know a few of you already!
First off, a pic of my new set-up at 6weeks:
(First time poster, hope that worked...)
I'm pretty pleased with it so far. I'm not new to aquatics, but this is the first set-up where I've really given any serious thought to the needs of the plants.
Specs:
Capacity: Rena 600litre. 200 x 50 x 60cm.
Lighting: Low. 2 x 58watt T8. 10hrs per day, though it has been switched around a little during set-up.
Filtration: 2 x Tetratec EX1200 delivered through drilled-out spray-bars to reduce turbulence. No supplementary powerheads or air-pumps.
Heating: 2 x 300watt Rena smart heater.
Substrate: 3cm Tetraplant Complete with 3-4cm inert gravel/sand mix.
Water: HMA Filtered. Really hard. Mainly tested with API dip-strip things but it's at the top of the scale for hardness (at least 180mg/L GH, 240mg/L KH. 27-28 degrees C. pH 7.8.
C02: 2/3 recommended dose of AE Aqua Carbon.
Nutrients: This is where I expect to get shot down and rightly so. Bought some all-in-one dry powders from ebay at:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170627418052#ht_1276wt_905.
I assumed that because it didn't contain any nitrate or phosphate it would be suitable for my low tech. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I've been dosing at 2/3 recommended dosing and to be honest it's a complete shot in the dark. I've got an order out for Profito and will be switching to that immediately.
So, the main point of the post. Let's find out if i'm even in the right section. I've set-up plenty of aquaria before but have never seen this:
It's whitish-grey, encrusting and mainly likes the bogwood. Maybe it's not even algae or photosynthetic, because it's white (no photosynthesis pigments?), is growing well on the underside of the bogwood overhangs, and even turned up in one of my filters 'attached' to the plastic head. I have brushed some off the wood which explains how it got there. I'm not even particularly concerned about it, though it is a bit unsightly. I mainly interested in what it is, and I'm hoping that someone can enlighten me. I did my degree in Environmental Science so love to talk about taxonomy and water chemistry. Yes it's sad, but I'm sure you guys understand...
Anyway, apologies for the essay (I know you guys like detail!), and I'm looking forward to joining the community. Thanks in advance.
First off, a pic of my new set-up at 6weeks:
I'm pretty pleased with it so far. I'm not new to aquatics, but this is the first set-up where I've really given any serious thought to the needs of the plants.
Specs:
Capacity: Rena 600litre. 200 x 50 x 60cm.
Lighting: Low. 2 x 58watt T8. 10hrs per day, though it has been switched around a little during set-up.
Filtration: 2 x Tetratec EX1200 delivered through drilled-out spray-bars to reduce turbulence. No supplementary powerheads or air-pumps.
Heating: 2 x 300watt Rena smart heater.
Substrate: 3cm Tetraplant Complete with 3-4cm inert gravel/sand mix.
Water: HMA Filtered. Really hard. Mainly tested with API dip-strip things but it's at the top of the scale for hardness (at least 180mg/L GH, 240mg/L KH. 27-28 degrees C. pH 7.8.
C02: 2/3 recommended dose of AE Aqua Carbon.
Nutrients: This is where I expect to get shot down and rightly so. Bought some all-in-one dry powders from ebay at:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170627418052#ht_1276wt_905.
I assumed that because it didn't contain any nitrate or phosphate it would be suitable for my low tech. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I've been dosing at 2/3 recommended dosing and to be honest it's a complete shot in the dark. I've got an order out for Profito and will be switching to that immediately.
So, the main point of the post. Let's find out if i'm even in the right section. I've set-up plenty of aquaria before but have never seen this:
It's whitish-grey, encrusting and mainly likes the bogwood. Maybe it's not even algae or photosynthetic, because it's white (no photosynthesis pigments?), is growing well on the underside of the bogwood overhangs, and even turned up in one of my filters 'attached' to the plastic head. I have brushed some off the wood which explains how it got there. I'm not even particularly concerned about it, though it is a bit unsightly. I mainly interested in what it is, and I'm hoping that someone can enlighten me. I did my degree in Environmental Science so love to talk about taxonomy and water chemistry. Yes it's sad, but I'm sure you guys understand...
Anyway, apologies for the essay (I know you guys like detail!), and I'm looking forward to joining the community. Thanks in advance.