My First Aquascape

[JPT81]

It’s been 5 days since I filled my tank.
Co2 is definitely having an effect on the plants.
I’ve realised how much I hate HC Cuba already!! 😂
It’s sort of getting a bit bushy so I tried to trim it ever so slightly...bad move! It kept breaking loose and floating to the top. The kids found it hilarious...I didn’t! 🤣
I’m going to hold out and see how it goes, I might end up scrapping it all together if it ends up being too frustrating to manage.

Not looking too bad I guess.
I have realised that the way I’ve set my rocks and planted things, is going to be very awkward to trim and maintain.
Even with long scissors, it was tough to get a good cutting angle. We’ll see how it goes!

 

[JPT81]

11th day update!
Things seems to be going ok.
I’m still not loving the HC Cuba. It’s come away in a couple of places but I’ve managed to stick it back in place. Dunno if it will grow in, we’ll see.
Having an issue with Ammonia. It’s been reading 0.25 for the past 5 days, even with 40-50% water changes. I’m hoping this is normal for a cycling tank at this point?

As always, thanks for looking!

 

[JPT81]

Ugh! So last night whilst inspecting my tank, I found my first lot of algae.
At first I was worried it was blue-green algae but I’m now thinking it could be hair algae.
Here are some picture of the early stages. I’m going to get on my usual water changes later and see if I can gently get it out with a toothbrush.
I’m going to shorten my lighting period and keep my Co2 pumping for the usual 8ish hours.
Any other tips would be much appreciated!

Thanks all.

 

[Big G]

I would hazzard a guess that both images show just BG. The first looks like hair but I think it's more likely BG that's just wrapped around itself. Maybe lifted off the rock but still connected? Just my guestimate.
Sounds stupid, but is there a sort of odour to the tank water that wasn't there before?

If so it ups my confidence it's BG.

Bg

 

[JPT81]

I would hazzard a guess that both images show just BG. The first looks like hair but I think it's more likely BG that's just wrapped around itself. Maybe lifted off the rock but still connected? Just my guestimate.
Sounds stupid, but is there a sort of odour to the tank water that wasn't there before?

If so it ups my confidence it's BG.

Bg

Hey BG,
I can’t actually smell at the moment as I’ve just got over Corona virus and it’s left me without a sense of smell! 😣

I’ve been watching the algae today and it does seem to have stringy bits coming off it. Maybe I’m just hoping it isn’t BG! I’ve turned up my Co2 and I’m making sure not to give it as much light as usual.
I’m going to do a water change later and will try and gentle tease the algae off.
Here’s another picture. It does look like it’s sort of branching off at the top!? I dunno!?

 

[Wolf6]

Looks like bga to me, spot dose with easycarbo or something and its gone in no time. Just turn off the filter for a few minutes when you do so it can work its magic

 

[Big G]

I’ve had great luck with just using a piece of 6mm airline to syphon off the stuff when I spot it.

Again, that 3rd image looks like classic blue green to me.

It can be gossamer thin and tears & folds, almost like the skin on a cold cup of tea. I’m still convinced the hairs are just ragged, torn bits of bga to be honest

all the best

Bg

p.s. Take care of yourself with that CV19 👍

Bg

 

[JPT81]

Looks like bga to me, spot dose with easycarbo or something and its gone in no time. Just turn off the filter for a few minutes when you do so it can work its magic

Thanks Wolf!
I’ll give it a day or 2 and see if it reappears...I’m sure it will!
Then I’ll maybe order some online. 👍

 

[JPT81]

I’ve had great luck with just using a piece of 6mm airline to syphon off the stuff when I spot it.

Again, that 3rd image looks like classic blue green to me.

It can be gossamer thin and tears & folds, almost like the skin on a cold cup of tea. I’m still convinced the hairs are just ragged, torn bits of bga to be honest

all the best

Bg

p.s. Take care of yourself with that CV19 👍

Bg

Thanks BG!
I think you’re right.
I’ve just done a water change and cleaned it off the dragon stone when the water was low. I used boiling hot water in a cup and dipped a toothbrush in it and cleaned it off.

I’ll keep check over the next few days. No doubt it’ll return!
I think I’ll check out this Easycarbo stuff that Wolf6 has recommended.

Thanks for the kind words too! 👍

 

[Big G]

Glad that worked for you.

Funny stuff BGA. The very ‘soup‘ from which all further life was dragged so I’ve read.

I’ve had touches of it in both my tanks so far. Both have Dragon/oeke stone too. Been lucky so far as it seems to have given up once I’m onto it. Fortunately it’s colour betrays it. Once you’ve had it and know it I doubt you’ll miss it again.

The smell I would describe as sort of ‘old skool 80’s LFS’ .(I’m showing my age) Tanky, earthy, not quite fishy but ‘organic’ fragrance. Unmistakable once experienced.

Hope that lovely tank eases the isolating for you

seasons best

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[JPT81]

Glad that worked for you.

Funny stuff BGA. The very ‘soup‘ from which all further life was dragged so I’ve read.

I’ve had touches of it in both my tanks so far. Both have Dragon/oeke stone too. Been lucky so far as it seems to have given up once I’m onto it. Fortunately it’s colour betrays it. Once you’ve had it and know it I doubt you’ll miss it again.

The smell I would describe as sort of ‘old skool 80’s LFS’ .(I’m showing my age) Tanky, earthy, not quite fishy but ‘organic’ fragrance. Unmistakable once experienced.

Hope that lovely tank eases the isolating for you

seasons best

Bg

Thanks again BG!

I have to admit, I had to Google LFS! 😂 Old school Puma trainers, right?
I think I know the smell you mean. Hopefully I’ll be able to smell soon!

I won’t lie, the rank has been a little bit stressful but I think I’m getting used to it now. I’m over the ‘being scared of ruining my tank’ stage now so I’m starting to enjoy it more. I’m sure it’ll keep my busy over the coming weeks of isolation!

All the best mate, have a great Christmas! 😁

 

[RudeDogg1]

U don’t need to keep doing water changes ur gonna just delay the cycle

 

[JPT81]

U don’t need to keep doing water changes ur gonna just delay the cycle

Oh god, really?? I thought water changes were part of the cycle. But now reading what you said, it makes sense not to change the water! Ugh, I feel dumb!
I’ve obviously read it wrong somewhere and got it in my head that I need to do it every day!!
Thanks for the heads up RudeDogg!

 

[dgilbert2]

@JPT81 , I'm following your journal with interest as I have the same tank, but its not looking as good as yours does . I also wish you a recovery back to full health soon. Such awful times!

@Big G I'm curious about the significance of the "earthy" smell, as I'm sure I have that now from my tank. What does that say about the tank and is there anything needed to be done to address it?

 

[Big G]

@Big G I'm curious about the significance of the "earthy" smell, as I'm sure I have that now from my tank. What does that say about the tank and is there anything needed to be done to address it?

on it’s own? I wouldn’t worry. Just keep an eye out. There are probably other things that make up that smell. In the case of my 80’s fish shop analogy - probably burst tanks and generally damp lino.

Those early, bottom leaves on a plant that should otherwise be frog-green, that bit of rock that has a shadow where no shadow is cast, that dark patch of substrate that’s not getting flow? A gentle look in good light or maybe nip a bit out with the pincettes to confirm as much as the fragrance.

Once experienced, never forgotten. You’ll lock it away in your brain. That blue-green sheen, almost iridescent, is the give away. Nothing is quite the same.

all the best

Bg

 

[JPT81]

So, I was about to order some Easy Life Easycarbo as recommended by Wolf6, and spotted Blue Exit.
Does anyone have any opinions on which would be best to use on blue-green? 🤔

 

[JPT81]

A little update.
I’ve got my Co2 going at around 1 bubble per second for 8 hours and I’ve turned off my lights off. I’ve not dosed anything over the last day or so. The last things I added to my water were Fluval Water Conditioner when I did my last water change and a cap full of Seachem Stability.

I’ve noticed a few more spots of algae around the aquarium as you can see in the pictures. Most of them look like little black spots at the moment.
I’ve redirected my nozzles to try and make the Co2 bubbles move better around the tank. I’ve also ordered some Blue Exit to see if it helps the BGA. Failing that, I’ll use some Easycarbo like Wolf6 recommended.

Ugh, it’s made me feel pretty gutted and unsure about starting all this up. Only a few days ago, I was feeling excited about getting some new inhabitants for the tank, now I feel like I’ve taken on too much.
I really don’t want to be tackling algae for weeks or months...I know that this is sometimes part of owning an aquarium but I didn’t expect it to happen this quick.
Gutted!

 

[Wolf6]

Blue exit will kill these bacteria (at least it has for me decades ago, if its still the same recipe), but I feel its like using a shotgun on a mouse and doesnt tackle the cause. Easycarbo is sold as a liquid form of carbon, but many people here use it as algae prevention/removal. It usually kills what you dose it on, whereas the blue exit might kill beneficial bacteria too. Its discussed here too: Has anyone tried Easy Life's Blue Exit?
Important is to tackle what causes it. Have a look around this forum, plenty of threads cover possible causes and solutions. Most important is: dont be distraught, every keeper has had his fair share of algae. Over the years you accumulate knowledge to know how to deal with them or at least keep them in check. My first tanks were a mess. How long are your lights on now? Be sure to remove any decaying plant matter too.

 

[JPT81]

Blue exit will kill these bacteria (at least it has for me decades ago, if its still the same recipe), but I feel its like using a shotgun on a mouse and doesnt tackle the cause. Easycarbo is sold as a liquid form of carbon, but many people here use it as algae prevention/removal. It usually kills what you dose it on, whereas the blue exit might kill beneficial bacteria too. Its discussed here too: Has anyone tried Easy Life's Blue Exit?
Important is to tackle what causes it. Have a look around this forum, plenty of threads cover possible causes and solutions. Most important is: dont be distraught, every keeper has had his fair share of algae. Over the years you accumulate knowledge to know how to deal with them or at least keep them in check. My first tanks were a mess. How long are your lights on now? Be sure to remove any decaying plant matter too.

Thanks for this Wolf6!
I’ve ordered the Blue Exit but I’ll do what you said and order and use some Easycarbo first. 👍
I’ve been trying to work out what the cause is. I’ve probably not been using enough Co2 for a start so I now have that running at 1 bubble per second. My Co2 drop checker is a light green at the moment. I have it running for 8 hours a day.
My lighting may have also been on a bit too long but I’ve now changed that.
Yesterday I hardly had it on. I turned it on just to check things out throughout the day. I thought it might be good for the tank to have very little light for a day.
Today I’ve got my light on just for 5 hours and I’m planning to keep it that way for a while, just until my algae issue is resolved.
I’ve been trying to fish out any plants that look a bit worse for wear too.

I haven’t dosed anything for around a day now but may add some Seachem Stability tomorrow, just to keep up with my dosage.

So, I’m going to carry on cycling my tank without any water changes etc. or adding any Tropica Specialised until my water levels are right.

Thanks again for the info. I think I’ve got a good bit of it of reading to do on the forum tonight! 🙂

 

[dgilbert2]

Hi @JPT81 , stick with it . We all go through these phases with algae, especially in new setups. Its so easy to read so much and to receive so much advice, one often conflicting the other. It all gets over whelming and we end up making things worse trying too many things. I know I did .

I found the videos by George Farmer on the Flex quite helpful - Playlist

What I ended up doing with my Flex was getting back to basics, particularly in terms of maintenance. i.e., I started daily 50% water changes (added Prime / Stability / Ferts each time) to keep Ammonia and nutrients in check. I could then start to see improvements in the plants, algae started to reduce, along with the Ammonia. (When the water level is down you could spot treat the BBA, but go steady.) I then slowly increased the time between water changes. I learnt the value of water changes!

Good luck and remember that improvements can take quite a few days to become obvious .

Edit: Check you have some Nitrates in the water, do you know the level? Water changes will usually keep these at sensible levels for you at the start.