I've decided to continue the Transitioning Phase within the Journal section. The beginning can be found within this thread
https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads...oning-into-a-journal.59748/page-5#post-589495.
The tanks is a Co2 injected Aquascaper 600 consisting of the following:
Lights: Twinstar 600 S
Ferts: Tnc Complete
Hardscape: Dragon Stone, Manzanita Wood and two pieces of Spiderwood
Substrate: Tropica Powder Soil and Ada Colorado Sand
Plants: Rotala H'Ra
Rotala Yaoi Yai
Rotala Bonsai
Rotal Macrandra (deceased)
Vallisneria Nana
Cryptocoryne Balansea
Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Cryptocoryne Beckiti
Cryptocoryne Parva (deceased)
S. Repens
Marsilea Hirsuta
Flame Moss
Taiwan Moss
Java Fern Petite
Java Fern (Unknown)
Hydrocotyle Tripartita Japan
Hygrophila Pinnatifida
Bucephalandra Serimbu Brown
Bucephalandra Mini Needle Leaf
Anubius Nana
Anubius Coffee something
Filter: Aquael Ultramax 1500
Images of week 1
Images of Week 5 (latest)
During the past week, I had a red cherry shrimp and a kitty tetra jump out and die. I also found a big spider dead on top of the Twinstar. I've reduced my water changes to twice a week now (Friday and Sunday after the co2 goes off). Last week I introduced Hydrocotyle Tripartita Japan and Hygrophila Pinnatifida which my Bristlenose Pleco decided to remove from the Manzanita. My current lighting period is 5 hours (100% intensity). The dimmer I purchased has finally arrived after 5 weeks. I am planning to reduce the lighting intensity to 90% for reasons mentioned below. I also plan to add a 15 minute ramp up time to the 90% intensity and then a 15 minute ramp down time. I will implement this tomorrow. Any suggestions on what I could grow on top of the sand?
I also previously had algae issues with Staghorn Algae/bba and Green spot algae which I thought arose from making too many changes. The Staghorn/Bba has now been removed by increasing the output rate on my filter which is presume led to a better spread of Co2 and nutrients. Although, the green spot algae persists. Something is out of balance and it might be that my light intensity is too high or should I wait it out? The last image shows my algae problems.