Recent content by FishBR

I just got algae under control in my 55g, including a bad BBA infestation. What you need to achieve is balance in your system in terms of lighting, nutrients available for both plants and algae, and amount of organic waste. Here are my suggestions to each factor: - Reduce the time the lights...

For anyone to give meaningful advice, there is a lot of information missing. Just to start: What is the tank size? How often do you do water changes and how much water do you change? What fish do you have in the tank and how much and how often do you feed them? What lighting fixture do you use...

I respectfully disagree. The plants are thriving right now with 65% weekly water changes. I am not sure what you mean by constant dosing and letting CO2 down the drain. The plants do not consume CO2 overnight and when lights are off and therefore CO2 will dissipate rather quickly. There is no...

Boesemanis are indeed amazing. Here is a video of my two males sparring: 2 male Boesemani facing off again There are a significant number of rainbows of the Melanotaenia genus that are smaller, not growing more than 3 inches: M. Boesemani “Kromsa” M. Catherinae M. Exquisita M. Garylangei M...

Rainbowfish. And then a few other rainbowfish...

Time for an update. It has proven difficult to grow plants successfully in New Orleans’ very alkaline and hard water, even with CO2 injection. Several plants died or faded away, including: Alternanthera Reineckii (regular and mini), Nasea Pedicellata Golden, Rotala Macrandra "narrow leaf," and...

I have Boesemani, Parva, Macculochi, and Kamaka. You can see several videos of my rainbows in my YouTube channel: Wild Discus and Rainbowfish

I am dosing Thrive All in One Liquid Fertilizer 3 times/week, as per instructions.

So here is the summary of the changes I made: - Reduced the intensity and time (one hour less) of the lights. I now have a gradual sunrise from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 90% in all colors (with the exception of blue) from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and then gradual sunset from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. - I...

I haven't tested the water lately, but before CO2 started the tank's phosphate ranged from 0.6 to 0.9.

Thanks. I start CO2 injection 1.5 hour before lights come up and stop 1.5 hour before lights go off. I use a drop checker to measure CO2, which always turns green when CO2 is in use.

I am reducing the intensith and the duration (1 hour less) of the lighting period.

The tank is in the living room with daylight but no direct sunlight. Here is the full setup: Filtration: 2217 Eheim canister filter and Hydro sponge filter attached to a powerhead. Heater: Hydor in-line heater. Light: Fluval Plant 3.0 LED. Substrate: Black diamond blasting sand. Aeration on a...

Thanks, but the information available online recommends increasing, rather than reducing, CO2 levels. That would make the plants grow faster than the algae. Any other thoughts?

So I am getting this horrible hair algae in 55 gallon (208 liters) tank: The light is a Fluval Plant 3.0 LED, with gradual sunrise from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 100% in all colors (with the exception of blue) from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and then gradual sunset from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM...