mark4785
Member
I currently own a 120 litre planted aquarium which I've been running for about 1 year now. Due to the aquarium hood requiring 2 x 24w HO fluorescent lights to be installed and working properly simultaneously, it would be fair to say that the lighting output is very high. This high/powerful light resulted in a lot of algae growth (included green spot algae, blue-green algae, brown algae etc) forming and I had to throw countless plants away. At this point in time I was completely unaware that I would require pressurised Co2 dosing and an EI dosing regime; it was never explained to me that more light equals the necessity for more co2 and more fertiliser.
Once I established this principle, the aquarium plants began to grow better and I was throwing less plants away, however green spot/green mist/brown algae still continued to overwhelm the tank very quickly. Someone suggested to me that I try lowering the light level by placing lots of floating Amazon Frogbit into the tank; I followed this advice and it resulted in a complete halt of algal growth, however, I had to throw away one particular fast growing plant that died due to the lower light level.
One thing that I'd like to go back to is a planted aquarium with little or no floating Amazon Frogbit as they are effectively limiting the variation of plants that will thrive in the low-light conditions. For instance, while the AF have been installed I have had to throw away some Riccia fluitans (they were turning brown!) and Limnophila Sessiliflora becomes very frail.
The huge problem with removing the AF is that the algal problems will inevitable return. I removed a handful of the AF that was directly above the Riccia Fluitans in the hope that the additional light would cause a growth spurt but before I could witness this, a green mist of algae started to grow on the front pane of glass.
If I were to remove the AF, what would I need to do stop algae growth?
Here is what I currently do to maintain my planted aquarium:
Day 1: 50% water change. All filter media cleaned. Dose 15ml of Potassium Nitrate and 20ml of Potassium Phosphate
Day 2: Dose 10ml of Tropica Plant Nutrition (NOT TPN+)
Day 3: Same as Day 1
Day 4: Same as Day 2
Day 5: Same as Day 1
Day 6: Same as Day 2
Day 7: Rest day.
I use a Dennerle co2 comfort range set-up; co2 is always turned on 3 hours before lights on and 30 minutes before lights off. Drop-checker always indicates a light green colour when lights are on. Co2 is distributed via 2 nano powerheads.
Once I established this principle, the aquarium plants began to grow better and I was throwing less plants away, however green spot/green mist/brown algae still continued to overwhelm the tank very quickly. Someone suggested to me that I try lowering the light level by placing lots of floating Amazon Frogbit into the tank; I followed this advice and it resulted in a complete halt of algal growth, however, I had to throw away one particular fast growing plant that died due to the lower light level.
One thing that I'd like to go back to is a planted aquarium with little or no floating Amazon Frogbit as they are effectively limiting the variation of plants that will thrive in the low-light conditions. For instance, while the AF have been installed I have had to throw away some Riccia fluitans (they were turning brown!) and Limnophila Sessiliflora becomes very frail.
The huge problem with removing the AF is that the algal problems will inevitable return. I removed a handful of the AF that was directly above the Riccia Fluitans in the hope that the additional light would cause a growth spurt but before I could witness this, a green mist of algae started to grow on the front pane of glass.
If I were to remove the AF, what would I need to do stop algae growth?
Here is what I currently do to maintain my planted aquarium:
Day 1: 50% water change. All filter media cleaned. Dose 15ml of Potassium Nitrate and 20ml of Potassium Phosphate
Day 2: Dose 10ml of Tropica Plant Nutrition (NOT TPN+)
Day 3: Same as Day 1
Day 4: Same as Day 2
Day 5: Same as Day 1
Day 6: Same as Day 2
Day 7: Rest day.
I use a Dennerle co2 comfort range set-up; co2 is always turned on 3 hours before lights on and 30 minutes before lights off. Drop-checker always indicates a light green colour when lights are on. Co2 is distributed via 2 nano powerheads.