Help Please Plants Going Brown And String Like Growth

[forever]

Hi All,
I have a 300l cube, my plants are really not growing well .
I dose EI dosing Macro and Micro as per instructions, my LEDs are on for 6-7 hours a day..
Water change every 2-3 weeks, am I doing something wrong ?

 

[mike455555]

EL and water changes every 2-3 weeks? , are you using co2? and what plants? 

 

[Zikofski]

Ye if your not doing co2 that's use why? Also what flow have you got what type of LEDs you using and you got any pictures?

 

[forever]

Thx guys just attached a picture, have a 1000l power head in the tank just for flow, the filter is a ehiem wet and dry...
Led is 23 10k 3w bulbs..

No co2

 

[mike455555]

looks like BBA to me 

 

[forever]

Any ideas in how to fix? Am I doing something wrong ?

 

[snazy]

I am not really certain what type of algae you've got but if you don't put any sort of CO2 in the tank and dose nutritients at EI levels, then that's the problem. Also, weekly large water changes are really a better routine in a planted tank fertilized at these levels, to prevent issues.

 

[forever]

Oh I thought the starter kit was the right level for a low tech setup, and do not need to use co2??

 

[snazy]

Which starter kit have you got?
 
All plants need CO2. Sometimes the one produced naturally by fish could be enough. However, it's not always the case.
The other thing is that you don't need to dose EI levels if you don't inject CO2, because the plants can't grow as fast without extra CO2 and won't use it. Maybe you can cut the dose in half or third or even less and see how it goes.

 

[forever]

snazy thanks for taking the time to reply i have this kit http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fertilisers/dry-chemicals/starter-kits/ei-starter-kit.html and follow the instructions, macro then micro...

 

[snazy]

The link doesn't work for me but I presume you've got the dry fert starter kit.
You don't need to dose EI levels if you don't add any form of CO2. You can get liquid carbon like Excel or Easy Carbo and start dosing that too, but then you need 50% water changes weekly as well
Or you can convert to a lower tech tank.
 
Have a look at this article:
 
http/www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/2817-Non-CO2-methods

 

[SO19Firearms]

As above - Probably low CO2 (high light) especially with such few water changes.
You're probably wasting salts at EI levels with no CO2, so you can probably dose a 1/3 of the recommended.
 
I'd start with implementing decent tank husbandry re. water changes - this may bring your co2 up but you might want to consider cutting the lighting or adding CO2 / liquid carbon
 
 
IMO

 

[forever]

Thx, i have fixed the link, so i guess i should cut back a lot on the doseage?


Or I am happy to add CO2, ...

 

[snazy]

Yep, as SO suggests, do several water changes to reset the tank, reduce the light, then reduce the ferts dose, and possibly get liquid carbon. This converts the tank to somewhat a high tech but liquid carbon isn't as efficient as injected carbon, that's why reducing the light is best, to preserve as much CO2 as possible.  You still need weekly larger water changes at the end of the dosing period, then follow the dosing plan again.

 

[forever]

Thanks all, will do as suggested, some plants are really growing strong..