joeinlondon
Member
- Joined
- 19 Sep 2008
- Messages
- 31
Hi All
I am a semi-novice at the planted tank game and need some advice, please! (Here we go again you're probably thinking.)
I have set up a 60x38x30 (LxHxW) using (from the bottom up) laterite mixed with 2-4mm gravel, Colombo Fe and general plant substrate capsules, another layer of gravel, pure RO water, some bogwood, an approx 500lph internal filter, Colombo areosol CO2 injector, Powerglo T5 25w with reflector and on one side an 18w Aquidistri hang on lamp, cannibalised from my previous set-up.
I have planted with E. tenellus, E.rosea, C.balansae, C.becketti, and underneath the Aquidistri light a large area of N (or is it Hygrophilia?) stricta.
Fertilization is via Colombo Floragro every 14 days, Easycarbo at 1ml per day, and the aerosol CO2. I am not dosing with nitrate and phosphate - yet - and know that nitrate is okay for the moment (see below).
But I'm having a few problems and after browsing the net and this forum wondered if I might ask for some clarification...
First question:
I was shocked to find on day one that I had high levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (the latter 50ppm). Did all of this come from the laterite? Or could it have somehow leached out of a lot of up-rooted and re-planted plants (although there's hardly been any Crypt melt) and the old bogwood? I tested the RO before it went in and it was pure.
Second question:
I now have what I believe to be 'hair', or 'silk algae', at problematic levels. The amano and even the Ottocinclus (don't worry no ammonia or nitrite now, and nitrate down to 20ppm) are getting stuck in and only last night re-took the E.tennellus from the enemy! Heh heh I love those little fellas. Anyway - there seem to be different theories on why this type of algae thrives, but I have noticed my N. stricta are looking a little yellow on the new leaves - should I give them more liquid plant food?
Third question:
Is it normal for E.rosea to throw up a reddish leaf and then gradually fill it in with green, or is this a sign of deficiencies somewhere?
Fourth question:
I currently have the 25w powerglo on for 12hours, and the 18w Aquidistri on for 10. Do I need to tune this?
I feel that the tank is doing semi-okay (plant growth is happening, although not amazing) as there are a myriad of tiny bubbles coming up from the leaves, which is 'pearling', right? And that's good innit? Any help offered would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Yours
Joe
I am a semi-novice at the planted tank game and need some advice, please! (Here we go again you're probably thinking.)
I have set up a 60x38x30 (LxHxW) using (from the bottom up) laterite mixed with 2-4mm gravel, Colombo Fe and general plant substrate capsules, another layer of gravel, pure RO water, some bogwood, an approx 500lph internal filter, Colombo areosol CO2 injector, Powerglo T5 25w with reflector and on one side an 18w Aquidistri hang on lamp, cannibalised from my previous set-up.
I have planted with E. tenellus, E.rosea, C.balansae, C.becketti, and underneath the Aquidistri light a large area of N (or is it Hygrophilia?) stricta.
Fertilization is via Colombo Floragro every 14 days, Easycarbo at 1ml per day, and the aerosol CO2. I am not dosing with nitrate and phosphate - yet - and know that nitrate is okay for the moment (see below).
But I'm having a few problems and after browsing the net and this forum wondered if I might ask for some clarification...
First question:
I was shocked to find on day one that I had high levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (the latter 50ppm). Did all of this come from the laterite? Or could it have somehow leached out of a lot of up-rooted and re-planted plants (although there's hardly been any Crypt melt) and the old bogwood? I tested the RO before it went in and it was pure.
Second question:
I now have what I believe to be 'hair', or 'silk algae', at problematic levels. The amano and even the Ottocinclus (don't worry no ammonia or nitrite now, and nitrate down to 20ppm) are getting stuck in and only last night re-took the E.tennellus from the enemy! Heh heh I love those little fellas. Anyway - there seem to be different theories on why this type of algae thrives, but I have noticed my N. stricta are looking a little yellow on the new leaves - should I give them more liquid plant food?
Third question:
Is it normal for E.rosea to throw up a reddish leaf and then gradually fill it in with green, or is this a sign of deficiencies somewhere?
Fourth question:
I currently have the 25w powerglo on for 12hours, and the 18w Aquidistri on for 10. Do I need to tune this?
I feel that the tank is doing semi-okay (plant growth is happening, although not amazing) as there are a myriad of tiny bubbles coming up from the leaves, which is 'pearling', right? And that's good innit? Any help offered would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Yours
Joe