Co2 And Sump Tanks

[Burkhill]

Hi had my tank set up for a couple of months now, and as much as I try I can't seem to shift this hair algea

I've got a 3x2x2 tank with a sump the tank has just under 10x turn over lighting is 4x 39 watts t5s so about 2.5 watts per gal
Nitrate is 25
Posphate. 2
Ph 7
Kh 4.2
Gh. 9
Feed with flourish ever day 4 ml

Have co2 with fe set up about 5/6 per second going throw a jbl ladder/spiral rated for over 600ltrs

As you can see my drop checker does go green but dark green

Do you think I'm loosing to much co2 as I've got a sump or am I doing some thing else wrong
I see to be getting pearling on all plants but the algea just will not go

 

[RadaR]

Nitrate is 25
Posphate. 2

You know that from what you are dosing, or test kit?

I'd reduce to 2x39W of light for now. Up the CO2.
Tanks fitted with sumps will generally have to increase the CO2 to make up for that which is lost via the sump.
I think ladders are a poor diffusing method. You'd be better off with a ceramic glass diffuser or a reactor.

 

[Burkhill]

Nitrate is 25
Posphate. 2

You know that from what you are dosing, or test kit?

I'd reduce to 2x39W of light for now. Up the CO2.
Tanks fitted with sumps will generally have to increase the CO2 to make up for that which is lost via the sump.
I think ladders are a poor diffusing method. You'd be better off with a ceramic glass diffuser or a reactor.

Nitrate and phos are dosed and tested daily with salifert test kits

Tried the ceramic glass diffuser and to be honest thought they were mod edit, this is a family forum,
Did look in to a reactor but there not really going to fit in with my tank

I've just up the light from 2 to 4 t5 s and it seems to be a bit better at min will keep it in mind though

I've tried upping the co2 but the system dosen't seem able to dissolve any more


Was thinking of T ing of the co2 piping and running to ladder systems at once As any one ever done his do you think his would work

Cheers ian

 

[RadaR]

More light increases the metabollic rate of the plants which in turn increases their demands. More light will only bring more trouble. Hair algae is a sign of low CO2, which I'm sure you know, so more light certainly wont help as the plants will be demanding even more CO2.
With regards to the T ing off to two ladders, I tried this with DIY yeast CO2 years ago and it didnt work. One ladder would have less resistance therefore most of the gas would go there. It was a very un even split. Perhaps it will be different with pressurized. Stick with the ladders if you want but most planted folk will tell you that ladders are old and rubbish compared to the methods we have now.

 

[Burkhill]

Just been looking throw reactors again came across a aqua medic 1000

Anyone used these they seem to have good reviews

 

[ian]

have you thought about an atomiser or inline diffuser?

 

[Burkhill]

Don't think an inline will work for me as I have a sump


And the atomiser looks like a glass ceramic diffuser, am I right on that or is it total different

I think an inline reactor my be my only way


Would it be possible to my be run two atomisers/glass ceramics from one fe

 

[Ebbo]

Whats the harm with a glass ceramic diffuser? They look and work great for medium sized tanks. I'm confused with your decision to avoid them altogether to be honest.

 

[Burkhill]

Whats the harm with a glass ceramic diffuser? They look and work great for medium sized tanks. I'm confused with your decision to avoid them altogether to be honest.

I did buy one gave it a go for about 5 days and it never changed the colour of the drop checker at all, it was rated for 300ltrs, I seemed to get a lot of waste most of the bubbles made to the surface even with a nano power head pointed at them

So far the jbl ladder has been the best thing I used very little waste at all