Lighting, Co2, Ferts & Flow

[FishFanatic04]

Ok...I am finally getting to a more stable point with my tank...It took a lot of fiddling with needle valves, and water changing too much because of a problem with my apistos.

So now I am trying to really get my whole plant system functioning better and was hoping for any suggestions to my concerns. It's a 75g tank with pressurized co2, EI ferts, and T-5 lighting.

1: My light is on for 8 1/2 hours a day. I started at 7 hours and have been slowly increasing...what length of time should I aim for? I would like to settle in somewhere so my co2 can become more stable each day.

2:I am using this calculator and dry dosing each day. I am seeing some pinholes in a few leaves of my crypts, and some yellowing on the old leaves of the cabomba. I was wondering if it was caused by the co2 levels being different because of all the water changes, etc. I use a scale and measure the ferts by grams, so I know that at least is accurate.

3:I'm not too concerned about water flow, My first setup would have been the best, I had water flowing forward and down the front glass really well, but my angelfish couldn't swim anywhere but the back, so I've changed it...it isn't the IDEAL setup, but I have a water pump plugged into the co2 timer so it runswith the co2, there seems to be good circulation, and the only algae I see so far is the ugly brown. But it's a new tank, so thats expected.

My plants are all looking "fine" But I am aiming for lush and beautiful. Any suggestions are welcome, especially on the fertilizers. Thanks!

 

[Biulu]

Thanks for that link! It is great. Did you say though that you are dosing daily? According to the regime, you should only dose during 5 days consecutively, and rest for another 2...

 

[FishFanatic04]

I've been doing a Ton of water changes. So I was starting over everytime. This Saturday I'll do a 50% and begin the 5 day dosing. I hope that will fix any issues.

 

[SO19Firearms]

Measuring accurately kind of defeats the estimative part of EI, so don't get to hung up on that...if there's a deficiency dose more...
Those grams are only taken from the original spoons example ;-) - consistency is good though.
Pin holes points to co2, so if you think you've dialled it in, it's probably a flow issue.
The 2 day rest just makes it look less daunting.... take one if you like or non.......
But most of all, wear sunscreen.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Thanks. I have already been dosing a little more of the micro. I tend to get a little ocd about details, until someone reminds me to loosen up. How long do most people leave their lights on?

 

[SO19Firearms]

Thanks. I have already been dosing a little more of the micro. I tend to get a little ocd about details, until someone reminds me to loosen up. How long do most people leave their lights on?

6-8 hrs is the norm.

 

[Biulu]

I have mine on for 8 hrs straight starting in the afternoon. However, my tank gets also some light from a window that is about 5 metres away.

 

[FishFanatic04]

I'll leave the light where it is then, that's actually good news because I finally have the co2 right and don't want to mess with anything but fertilizer for awhile.

I run it 8 1/2 hours straight through, but not too late at night because we can't see the tv with the glare from the insanely bright tank. My tank gets indirect light from the window as well

 

[Biulu]

I run it 8 1/2 hours straight through, but not too late at night because we can't see the tv with the glare from the insanely bright tank.

My tank is the closest I have to a moving picture device....

 

[FishFanatic04]

lol I would replace it with a fish tank or bookshelf in a second but my hubby admits that he is less evolved and needs the big screen!