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Poor growth and algae

The_storm

The_storm

Member
Joined
26 Jun 2016
Messages
63
Location
Bucks
Hi.
I'm really frustrated with the progress of my planted tank. I've had a tank for years but decided to go more towards planted. I watched the many scraping videos and researched but I'm not sure why I'm not progressing.
I have a fluval roma 240 with a cycled 304 cannister filter containing biohome. I'm running co2 injection that comes on 2 hours before the 8 hour light period and goes off an hour before the lights turn off, 2 drop checkers tell me co2 is where it should be. Lighting is fluval fresh and plant 2.0 and a Joyhill full spectrum led. Daily ferts of 20ml tnc complete, substrate is tetra active topped with tropica Aquarium soil and root tabs. I was doing daily dechlorinated water changes for the first week(50%), every second day for the send week now twice a week (50%)
I bought my plants in bulk from AG and my LFS. Christmas moss has died. Java moss has died. Riccia is holding on. I wanted a carpet of hair grass and monte carlo, it's not done anything. I bought another carpet plant, it's died. The hard scape is rock and wood, I have 2 circulation pumps running. Valis is recovering after melting but most of the other plants are struggling except sagg and the odd stem plant. I have brown and hair algae.
Any pointers to improving my technique and turning it into a beautiful scape, as opposed to a bag of poop tied up with string would be greatly appreciated.
I live in a hard water area.
 
Here's the offending article after tonight's clean.
 

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Hi @The_storm

Welcome to UKAPS!

The only comment that I would initially make is that you appear to have a lot of light going into your tank. Not just intensity of light but duration. I think quite a few people start out with a 6 hour photoperiod. Unfortunately, I need to go offline soon but may be back later.

JPC
 
Hi, thanks for the welcome and response. I look forward to hearing your reply later, I appreciate your help.
 
Has it been set up long ? I can only back up what Jay was saying, plants take a bit of time to settle in and adapt to their new surroundings. It looks like you might have threw the kitchen sink at them a bit early. I would also reduce the lighting to about 6 hours and maybe turn the brightness down if you can. Have the co2 come on a little bit earlier and let things settle in a bit.
 
ThanksAWB
It's been up and running for just less than a month. I can adjust both the time and the intensity of the lightning.
 
Yeah sounds like you maybe went in a bit strong too early mate.
 
I've reduced the lightning intensity and reduced the time by 2 hours.
Any further advice gratefully received.
 
Hi @The_storm

Perseverance and patience are so important in this hobby. Getting the balance right between lighting, fertilizers, water chemistry and CO2 takes time. But, it helps to get an understanding of all these factors. And, if you're comfortable with some basic science, this can help. There is a wealth of information and experience here on UKAPS. Try to read as much as you are able. Take it in bite-size pieces.

Lighting is a tricky subject as it's difficult to quantify without specialist equipment. And it's not helped by the fact that plants 'see' lighting different to we humans. All of which is less than ideal as lighting dictates how much fertilizers and CO2 is required. In short, lighting calls the shots. I'm still trying to find the happy balance myself. I try not to focus on the goal but enjoy the journey instead. It's less stressful.

JPC
 
Thanks for this. I'm enjoying most of the journey and the learning. I've always enjoyed creating new environments but definitely need to learn some patience!
What frequency and quantity of water changes would you recommend? I've just moved from once a week to twice at 50%
 
The_storm said:
I've reduced the lightning intensity and reduced the time by 2 hours.
Click to expand...
Hi @The_storm

It is not uncommon to have an outbreak of algae when first setting up a tank. Reducing the lighting should be helpful. The use of fast-growing stem plants and floating plants will make life more difficult for the algae. Others on UKAPS are much more knowledgeable than me about which plants to use. Darrel (@dw1305) is a big fan of the Duckweed Index.

JPC
 
I've got salvinia and it's thriving, in fact I had to remove some today. Stem plants are starting to grow and I'll trim them to help them bush out and replant the trimmings.
Thanks Jay. Both of you have helped ease my concerns.
 
Hi @The_storm

I just stumbled across the following (closed) thread in which @hogan53 has provided a very useful list of stem plants:

www.ukaps.org

Using stem plants as a filtering aid at Start Up!

The subject of using fast-growing stem plants as part of a filtering aid has cropped up a few times recently. This idea has been around for a long time so not new, it has benefits especially for a new set - up. I try and cover at least 50% of the water surface minimum. 1. Improves water...
www.ukaps.org

JPC
 
Interesting, thanks Jay.
I've slightly reduced the TNC to 15ml a day and reduced the photo period to 6 hours at a lower intensity. The stem plants I have are doing OK and the salvinia is thriving. I added frogbit today too. I also turned off the joyhill led, though its not particularly powerful.
I'll monitor the situation and see if someone gifts me patience for Christmas!
A month in would 50% water changes every 2 days be too excessive?
 
The_storm said:
A month in would 50% water changes every 2 days be too excessive?
Click to expand...
Hi @The_storm

When it comes to the frequency of water changes and the volume of water to change, there is no 'one size fits all' recommendation in my view. I base my water changes on measurements. But, I'm in the minority here. I keep an eye on nitrate and phosphate. I also check water conductivity/TDS* and one or two more esoteric parameters.

*TDS = Total Dissolved Solids

JPC
 
Adding a biological clean-up crew can also be effective. I have amano shrimp, oto catfish and zebra thorn snails on the job. The amanos are particularly effective at soft versions of algae - it was amazing to watch them hoover it all up. They don't seem to do anything for the green spot algae, but you take your wins where you can get them.
 
Andy Pierce said:
Adding a biological clean-up crew can also be effective.
Click to expand...
HI Everyone,

Organic waste seems to be the major contributor to algae growth. So, the rapid breakdown of this waste is important. And that's where the clean-up crew comes in. Although a clean-up crew consumes algae, uneaten fish food, etc., waste particles from the clean-up crew is now much smaller in size. And this makes it easier for heterotrophic bacteria to consume this waste. Nature at work. Mindblowing, isn't it?

JPC
 
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