3Rd Attempt To Grow Hc ! Need Advices

[s007]

Hello Hello, Here comes my 3rd attempt to grow HC Cuba and this time I'm planing to grow with some 14 adult algae shrimps as cleaning crew.
The setup is:

65 Liters / 14.2 UK Gal Tank
500 length 50cm x width 34cm x height 49cm
2 x 11W PL and 1x 36W Light = 58W Total
Light on for 9 Hours a day
DIY Co2 with ladder diffuser
Soil Aquagrit Underworld topped with black Caribbean Sand
Daily: EasyCarbo, Tropica Aquacare Plant Nutrition.
My PH is: 7.2 with CO2 coming down to 6.8-7

What happened last 2 attempts is i had abit of Brown hair algae and the the leaves of HC went brownish and disintegrated. Id prefer to try and to emerged growing of HC but got shrimps and cant put them anywhere thought ill give another try submerged note that previously i didn't have CO2 nor fert substrate and nor fets so this time I'm ready.

At the moment i got 2 pots of HS each about 4' across and got 6 more coming. I will post pictures As soon as all arrives and i start setup. I would appreciate any advice and help given in successful growth of HC.

Thanks all!
Sergey

 

[s007]

Here are some pics before setup only 2 pots of HS 6 more shuld arrive next week together with Aquagrit Underworld soil.

 

[aaronnorth]

I would cut down the lighting to the 36w only,
It doesnt look as though you are measuring CO2 levels so you cannot be sure if the CO2 is high enough (which HC loves). Drop checkers are about £5 on ebay. There is a guide in my sig.

Also, TPN doesnt contain any Nitrates or phosphates. HC is also said to do well with extra Nitrogen, so there could be another problem. You want TPN+

 

[s007]

I would cut down the lighting to the 36w only,
It doesnt look as though you are measuring CO2 levels so you cannot be sure if the CO2 is high enough (which HC loves). Drop checkers are about £5 on ebay. There is a guide in my sig.

Also, TPN doesnt contain any Nitrates or phosphates. HC is also said to do well with extra Nitrogen, so there could be another problem. You want TPN+

Thanks for reply yes i also have Plant Nutrition + A green stuff which has N. and P. But abit afraid to add that too as i still have abit of Brown hair algae left so im just trying to starve them. Maybe there is a safe dosage daily or weekly i can add for 65 liter tank?

As to Drop checker i had it and it smashed when i was changing the stuff for it (droped it in to a sink ) ill order one today from ebay.

About light i was told by the guy who works in Aquatic Design Center (he builds large tanks setups for movies and businesses) that having 58 W for this tank will be enough ? Still not sure. I would really like to do it emerged way but shame that i have shrimps and dont have anywhere to put them for 2-3 month. Anyway giving one more go in Submered way and closely monitoring for any changes.

 

[aaronnorth]

If you have the easycarbo, spot dose on the algae and it will still go. Just squirt the daily volume onto the affected areas.

As for the TPN+ the guideline is 5ml per 100l daily. You can dose every couple of days if you wish, and if any defficiencies show raise the frequency.

rotting/ mushy leaves usually indicateds a carbon defficiency though which is why I suggest lowering the lighting so there is less demand for CO2, and your DIY kit may be able to keep up.

On my 60l, i used 36w PC T5, 3ml TPN+ daily, pressurized CO2 and the HC grew like a weed.

 

[s007]

If you have the easycarbo, spot dose on the algae and it will still go. Just squirt the daily volume onto the affected areas.

As for the TPN+ the guideline is 5ml per 100l daily. You can dose every couple of days if you wish, and if any defficiencies show raise the frequency.

rotting/ mushy leaves usually indicateds a carbon defficiency though which is why I suggest lowering the lighting so there is less demand for CO2, and your DIY kit may be able to keep up.

On my 60l, i used 36w PC T5, 3ml TPN+ daily, pressurized CO2 and the HC grew like a weed.

Thanks for reply, ive just ordered another drop checker from HK from your signature. I have easycarbo but dosage for 50l is 1ml max is 2ml so for 65 liters its about 1.2ml or max 2.4ml per day i have no idea how i can squirt that little ammount on effectd are but ill give it a go, Ive lowered light to 47w as i use DIY co2 and also dosing easy carbo it shuld keep the thing going when drop checker arrives it will show if i got enoght co2 with my dosage level if not then ill lower the light by another 11w and see how it goes.

You think this sounds OK or you still think i need to go to 36W?

Will start dosing TPN+ with TPN daily ad suggested buy you (well maybe TPN+ every second day)

Thanks again your time and help much appriciated!
Sergey

 

[Truck]

even 36 watts is a little high, 15-20 would be fine for HC providing you're injecting pressurised CO2, DIY isn't really up to the job, HC likes lots of nutrients also, if this was my tank I would be dosing 2.5ml's of Easy carbo, and 2.5ml's of TPN+.

Use a syringe with a needle for the spot dosing.

 

[s007]

even 36 watts is a little high, 15-20 would be fine for HC providing you're injecting pressurised CO2, DIY isn't really up to the job, HC likes lots of nutrients also, if this was my tank I would be dosing 2.5ml's of Easy carbo, and 2.5ml's of TPN+.

Use a syringe with a needle for the spot dosing.

Cheers for that info!

 

[aaronnorth]

you can buy 3ml pippettes, I used them, very handy.
36w would be the max I would go, you dont really need anymore, and like Jack says if you have enough CO2 being injected then you can get away with the 2 x 11w

 

[s007]

Hi here is some update,

Ive lowered the light to 2x 11 watt and seems to be light enough, Here is the pics after todays setup:

Got about 10 Algae shrimps and 2 cardinals will add some more cadrinals later on next week, is there enough plants to take over the algae? Or shuld i get some more?

Anyone knows correct dosage tof TPN to dose daily?

Thanks, will post some more pics once evrything settles down.

 

[aaronnorth]

there should be enough plants, the grass type one in the middle doesnt look aquatic, it looks like fountain grass.

 

[s007]

I actually found that one in IKEA (never bought any other plants from there) just said to keep it underwater and sutable for aquariums so i geve it a shoot, Its doing well not rotting or anything.

Heere is the pic when water cleared abit:

Is there any other good plants you can suggest maybe floating ones to absorb more N's to help fight back and prevent algae? Any any other tips in preventing aglae?

Cheers for all your time and help!