finally got a phosphate test kit....

[houndour]

OK, I finally got a phosphate test kit £8.50!! Ouch I've tested and my phosphates are def no higher than 0.25, but I think the colouring is lighter than that, so between 0.1 and 0.25.

It says in gf225s algae guide that phosphates shouldn't be higher than 0.2.

I'm thinking it may still be the light thats the problem?? Wish I had bought one while i was there.

I've started trialling CO2 mixtures. I'm getting 1 bubble per 2 secs at the mo, but my new mixture has only been running for an hour. I will test the CO2 levels later to see if I've increased from 18

I bought an External Filter Got the Fluval 104 in the end. I'm not likely to upgrade tanks anytime soon. Now I'm back to the hood problem. I don't get why they don't make hoods to fit all these things that have to go in the tank! I'm gonna have to cut a big hole in the side for the tubes to fit. I'm having to put the filter tthe right hand side, rather than the back, cos I'd never be able to get to the filter at the back and I have no room inside the cupboards for it.

And I also got 3 armano shrimp Well the guy said they were armano shrimp. So far they haven't been too shy and I've seen 2.

So what should I do about my algae problem? The algae itself doesn't bother me too much, I just don't want it getting out of control. When I put the fertilser bag in it seemed to slow down a bit, but now it seems to b growing fast again.

I don't really see the point in doing a blackout as thats not fixing the problem long term.

Sam

 

[houndour]

Did all my tests today:

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
kH 7
pH 6.6
nitrate 5 - 10

my CO2 is 52.75. My poor fish. I have changed the mixture. I need a proper measuring cup or something. Using a teaspoon isnt the best thing.

I used 1/2 teaspoon yeast, 1/2 bicarb and to the line sugar and then water to just over the line (cos it was by accident). The bubbles were coming out at 1 per second.

This time I've cut back on the yeast and bicarb. See what happens.

My nitrates are quite low aren't they? Is that a good or bad thing for algae?

 

[George Farmer]

Wow - that's a lot of CO2!! I've heard of guys using upto 40 mg/l so I wouldn't worry too much as you have caught it early.

Personally I use 1/2 teaspoon of yeast, 1 teaspoon bi-carb. I would keep the bi-carb constant and adjust the yeast to acheive the required rate. I get on bubble every 4 seconds approx. from each of my two units thus giving me 1 bubble every 2 seconds. One major advantage of having two units is that is possible to acheive a more constant CO2 level by switching mixtures alternately. With one unit CO2 swings will occur and this will contribute to your algae.

You phosphate levels appear fine. Recently I have researched more into phophate (PO4) and nitrate (NO3) levels due to my own problems. It appears that one can have levels of upto 2 mg/l PO4 with no problem as long as plant growth is good enough - my article still holds true for most setups with limited growth. Your NO3 levels should be fine too, if a little low. There is a ratio of PO4 and NO3 that can be used to determine one's risk of getting algae. (Thanks to Iggy01 for the link)

http/www.xs4all.nl/~buddendo/aquarium/redfield_eng.htm

I add KNO3 to my tank regularly to acheive a constant 10 to 20 mg/l NO3. My PO4 remains at approx 0.5 mg/l - this is acheived using my high PO4 content tap water in water changes.

I see you've upgraded your filtration which is good. Make sure you replace your supplied carbon with more bio-media - carbon will remove valuable traces that the plants use. I have a Fluval 204 and have adapted the output nozzle (simply cut it off) as it agitates the water too much - it's ugly too. See the attached photo. Are you running an internal too? I wouldn't bother personally once your external has matured but it's obviously up to you. The only reason I have my internal still is because it's siliconed in place at manufacture.



I understand your frustration about modding the tank, I have done so to to allow my CO2 canisters to be hung on the back and for the filter hosing. I also had to cut some extra plastic away to give room for my lighting cables (5 tubes in total). It does look neat from the front when viewing which is the important thing.

I hope all this helps and good luck

 

[houndour]

I am going to remove the internal filter. But the guy in the shop said to run both along side one another for 3-4 weeks. Yep, I've put aside the carbon already and I'll be getting more of those ceramic tube media.

I understand your frustration about modding the tank

It's more annoying because I'm no good at stuff like that and I want it done now, but my boyfriend isn't as enthusiastic as me so I have to wait when he's ready to do it So I probably won't even have the filter set up till next weekend. I might get a hack saw today and have a go myself. Whats the worst that can happen? My hood will fall apart

OK noted your advice to adjust the yeast and leave bicarb.

Thanks for the help.