Few Questions (again)

[DevUK]

Afternoon all.

Couple of questions really. First off, I want to measure my CO2 levels when I start my planted nano. I know I need to measure PH and KH, and use the table provided in various posts/stickies. I recently bought an interpet PH kit but it doesn't cover my PH range (maxes out at 7 I think). I think my water PH is slightly higher but can't measure it with this kit. My question is, can someone recommend some test kits to look at?

Secondly, my current tank is having algae issues. Its not terrible, but a lot of my bog wood is coverred in short dark/black hair algae. I must admit it looks quite nice flowing as it does in the water current, so I've not been too bothered. I do however have other algae that builds up on the glass which I'd like to get rid of. The tank is cold water with a fancy goldfish and various danios and minnows. Plant wise, I have 4 java ferns and some java moss, and a large bunch of riccia on the surface which I'm not sure what to do with, so mostly slow growers and all goldfish resistant (just about). I think I have approx 1.8wpg (20gal tank with 36w lighting).

I'm considering dosing with fertilizers but I'm not sure what sort of regime to follow. I guess its "low tech" (no CO2/low light). I may also consider some faster growing plants but I don't want too much hassle with the goldfish chomping them to bits, so that limits choice I guess...

Any recommendations on how to treat this tank?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Themuleous]

For the pH test kit, either API or Hagen, both go from 6 to 7.6pH. If you think your tank is over this you could use a wide range test kit, of which Hagen do one that goes from 4.5 to 9 apparently, but I cant say I'd be too sure of the accuracy of that one, but then again Ive never used it.

As for the algae, I dont think there is much you can do really, the normal cause would be to add more plants to help stabilise the tank water, but as its cold and has goldfish I dont think thats a option. Try increasing the water changes, that can help sometimes.

If you are thinking about ferts for the goldfish tank, I dont think you need to bother, java fern and java moss are both undemanding and are unlikely to benefit greatly from you adding a fert.

Sam

 

[DevUK]

For the pH test kit, either API or Hagen, both go from 6 to 7.6pH. If you think your tank is over this you could use a wide range test kit, of which Hagen do one that goes from 4.5 to 9 apparently, but I cant say I'd be too sure of the accuracy of that one, but then again Ive never used it.

Just been checking on AE and they seem to do Azoo test kits for up to 9pH, any experience of Azoo test kits?

As for the algae, I dont think there is much you can do really, the normal cause would be to add more plants to help stabilise the tank water, but as its cold and has goldfish I dont think thats a option. Try increasing the water changes, that can help sometimes.

If you are thinking about ferts for the goldfish tank, I dont think you need to bother, java fern and java moss are both undemanding and are unlikely to benefit greatly from you adding a fert.

Ok, not to worry. I'll have to perhaps increase water changes/amount of water changed and change my routine a little. Thanks

 

[Themuleous]

Cant say I've used the Azoo one but most of their products get good reviews.

Sam

 

[nry]

To keep algae down, you may be able to lower your wpg, though you'd need to buy new tubes and starter units etc (unless you can take one tube out if you have two?).

You could also cut the lighting period right down: somewhere in the 6-7 hour period will be fairly OK for the plants you have but will leave the algae struggling.

You will still likely get algae, I would expect to have to clean the glass weekly anyhow, though you could look at some snails. Nerites can be a good choice as they cannot breed successfully in freshwater, the info I can find on these suggests they are more suited to temps above 24c, but can tolerate down to 18c. I would imagine a tank in a centrally heated house will be more like 20c so they could be a good option. They stay small, around 1.25inches, and are superb at clearing algae from rocks, glass and broad leaved plants. I have 2 in my 15 gallon and they do an excellent job.

There are also some small-ish algae eaters for coldwater, they often get referred to as hillstream loaches. I think they prefer a fairly fast water current, but they may be fine with a lower speed flow.