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Is this diatom and am I doing ok?

So just an update and another plea for some advice to keep me going in the right direction.
I’ve added a very small usb pump into the far top right hand corner and have a good flow moving around the tank in a circular motion.
Should I start the co2 and ferts dosing again ? Also what should I do with the floating plants I have left, allot of the roots are covered in brown algae , should I keep them in?
 
Another update so restarted Co2 and no difference , still got diatoms mainly on Monte Carlo substrate level. I think I am going to raise the intensity of the light slowly and see if I can get some good growth as the MC seems to have stalled .
I haven’t started ferts and don’t think I will until the brown stuff clears off
 
Hi all,
I haven’t started ferts and don’t think I will until the brown stuff clears off
I'd add the fertilisers.

I know it is difficult, but try not to concentrate on the algae.

You need to concentrate on the plants, get the plants growing and everything else will follow. Your <"plants can't make use"> of the added CO2 if one, or more, of the mineral nutrients is deficient.

cheers Darrel
 
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Hi all,

I'd add the fertilisers.

I know it is difficult, but try not to concentrate on the algae.

You need to concentrate on the plants, get the plants growing and everything else will follow. Your <"plants can't make use"> of the added CO2 if one, or more, of the mineral nutrients is deficient.

cheers Darrel

I agree.

@Stephen swan, Start a fertilizer regime right away. The fertilizer we add (usually) won't cause algae - lack of fertilizer and imbalance will. Diatoms are almost inevitable in a new tank. As soon as the tank settles in and mature the algae/diatoms will fade away. It may take a couple of months in some cases. Keep your light intensity moderate, make sure you have adequate flow around the tank and keep up a good maintenance schedule.

Cheers,
Michael
 
I have some tropica specialised nutrition at hand how much should I put in per day at this stage ?
Light schedule
11am 50%
12.00- 65%
14.00- 70%
17.00-60%
 
It only has weekly dose guide and I’m still doing daily water changes so need to dose daily .
I suppose I could check the weekly recommendation dose and divide by 7
 
Keeping it as clean as I possibly can…. It’s hard work like.
Haven’t missed a days water changing and vacuuming in 8 weeks .
 

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I have some tropica specialised nutrition at hand how much should I put in per day at this stage ?

I haven't read the whole thread., so I didn't pick up your tank size and specific plants and other finer points, so take my advice with a bit of caution :) but with respect to dosing and Tropica Specialized I would aim for 1-2 ppm of N weekly. Say for a 50 L that would be 6 ML or 3 pumps per week. (What Tropica recommends) depending on your WC schedule and amount.

On a side note, I've been dosing this for almost 6 months now in one of my tanks (as an experiment) and all plants (easy plants) are thriving.

Cheers,
Michael
 
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As it would appear that your turning a corner, just curious as to your nitrate and ammonia levels now that your adding air overnight
 
The photos show you're getting new growth & it looks much better. 🙂
Perhaps you could alter your water changes to every other day instead of daily, dosing the ferts a couple of times a week after changes. It would give you a well earned break from the daily maintenance & give the plants a chance of using the available nutrients.
 
The photos show you're getting new growth & it looks much better. 🙂
Perhaps you could alter your water changes to every other day instead of daily, dosing the ferts a couple of times a week after changes. It would give you a well earned break from the daily maintenance & give the plants a chance of using the available nutrients.
yea will try that 😃
 
Just wanted to give an update as I appreciate all the help I got from everyone in the early stages of this little tank.
Well the diatom’s disappeared and the tank is settled .
I did loose the Monte Carlo on the left hand front side and couldn’t get any new pots to take so left it for now, maybe now the tank is cycled I could try again.
I think the floating plants and the little circulating pump I added helped .
 

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