Low Tech Setup

[Joe_Shafe]

I have a 10 gallon tank with two 13 watt CFLs, Java Fern. Java Moss, Wysteria, and Amazon Sword. Right now I'm doing about a 40-50% water change on Sunday, then I add 2.5 mL of a Macro Nutrients fert mix consisting of 250 mL of water 5.4 teaspoons of Potassium Nitrate and 1.35 teaspoons of Potassium Phosphate which when dosed gives 5.25 ppm of Nitrate from Potassium Nitrate, 3.31 ppm of Potassium from Potassium nitrate, 1.64 ppm of Phosphate from Potassium Phosphate, and 0.68 ppm of Potassium from Potassium Phosphate. Then on Monday I add 2.5 mL of a Micro/Trace Elements fert mix consisting of 250 mL of water and 2 teaspoons of Plantex CSM+B. I'm having trouble getting plant growth besides the Wysteria which is actually doing quite well. I have a lot of what I think are diatoms, my water is brown and a brownish clear algae is growing on some plants, the glass and corners, and my driftwood.

So my questions are is this a good fert dosage/water change schedule, are my lights too strong not strong enough, and how I should I get rid of the algae?

Thank,
-Joe

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Out of curiosity are you injecting co2?

 

[Joe_Shafe]

Forgot to mention.. I had been injecting co2 through a DIY set up but it was a bit of a hassle so I'm trying to do a more low tech setup.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

You won't have much luck low tech with those lights mate, knock it down to one light and you'll be not need co2 and your plants will stop starving.

 

[Joe_Shafe]

Alright.. With a bulb missing will I have uneven coverage though.. and if I drop it down to like 10-14 watts will the dosing schedule still be okay.

 

[wirralbull]

Use two lower wattage bulbs. What about a liquid carbon?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Once you get down to low tech so long as you have good stock you can stop dosing the macro mix too.