My Plants Look .. Rubbish :~/

[mbsqw1d]

hi,

hope you can see what i mean.. I'm wanting vivid GREEN leaves instead of dull, hairy algae covered, tatty things!

An example of my Java Fern. This shows what is basically covering all my plants

This is a bad picture of some Java Moss I'm trying to cover some wood with. I thought this stuff was meant to grow like mad.. unfortunately it isnt

I'm not too sure what plant this is.. but the leaves are looking awful

Any advice much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[fluffycabbage]

have you read james' algae guide? thats the algae i have at the moment too leave your lights off as much as poss, is the general advice, and does with flourish excel i think - im sure somone will come along and advise you properly though

 

[mbsqw1d]

have you read james' algae guide?

Thanks for the signposting fluffy cabbage!!! Looks like I need to setup myself a DIY CO2. And yes, less lighting!

 

[pauld]

have you read james' algae guide?

Thanks for the signposting fluffy cabbage!!! Looks like I need to setup myself a DIY CO2. And yes, less lighting!

read james algae giude especially bba .

 

[PDSimon]

Setting up DIY will probably only encourage the algae. Because the co2 systems are unstable they help algae grow. You need to get a good clump of java moss and tie it or glue it (using the appropriate glue - cyanoacrylate superglue will work but you must let it dry before you put it in the aquarium).

How long are your lights on for? My bet is that they're onf or 8+

Do you dose any ferts or liquid carbon? liquid carbon is often used as it kills various algae. As mentioned, read james algae guide. Might be better than DIY co2 if your tank is small. Not that DIY co2 is good for tanks over 30G anyway

 

[lljdma06]

Setting up DIY will probably only encourage the algae. Because the co2 systems are unstable they help algae grow. You need to get a good clump of java moss and tie it or glue it (using the appropriate glue - cyanoacrylate superglue will work but you must let it dry before you put it in the aquarium).

How long are your lights on for? My bet is that they're onf or 8+

Do you dose any ferts or liquid carbon? liquid carbon is often used as it kills various algae. As mentioned, read james algae guide. Might be better than DIY co2 if your tank is small. Not that DIY co2 is good for tanks over 30G anyway

What's your filtration?

 

[PDSimon]

Setting up DIY will probably only encourage the algae. Because the co2 systems are unstable they help algae grow. You need to get a good clump of java moss and tie it or glue it (using the appropriate glue - cyanoacrylate superglue will work but you must let it dry before you put it in the aquarium).

How long are your lights on for? My bet is that they're onf or 8+

Do you dose any ferts or liquid carbon? liquid carbon is often used as it kills various algae. As mentioned, read james algae guide. Might be better than DIY co2 if your tank is small. Not that DIY co2 is good for tanks over 30G anyway

What's your filtration?

Why are you asking me ll? It's x10 though

 

[SuperColey1]

whats the lighting is more the question I'd be asking. Looks to me like a non CO2 tank with too much light above it.

Filtration isn't a mjor issue for a low energy non CO2 setup. I use just under 6x on non CO2 with no problems. (does get cleaned monthly at least though)

The algae is staghorn not BBA. Thats a CO2 issue. however I am assuming it is because of the light that you are having an 'insufficient CO2' problem!!!

Far too many people these days have too much light on their tanks

AC

 

[mbsqw1d]

Thanks for the response people!

Filtration is: http/www.hagen.com/uk/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PROD_ID=01001750031001

I have this lighting: One of these : http/www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=112&PROD_ID=01015830021001

and One of these : http/www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=112&PROD_ID=01016150020101

in tandem. (Total of 40 Watts.) My tank is 125 litre (or 30 Gallons).

I have my lighting on for 8 hours exactly. (Although I've dropped this to 6 now)

I have just started dosing with tropica aquacare plant nutrition plus liquid (because my plants where a bit yellow)

Is the advice to shorten lighting period and get some sort of carbon (Flourish Excel)?

Thanks again. I'll let you know how I get on

 

[SuperColey1]

Thats the light eliminated then. I would suggest its almost the perfect amount. I'd go a little further in suggesting you have less than you think in that there will probably be a 2 x 18W or a 2 x 15W ballast in there. So 36 or 30W being output. That should be even better.

Tank is 33 gallons not 30. We work on US gallons

Filtration is fine.

See how the dosing goes and yes get some liquid carbon plus a syringe. Just squirt it on the affected areas and then when all the algae is dead.eaten etc stop dosing it unless you want faster growth. 2½ml per day.

6 hours is a good decision. 8 hours shouldn't have been a problem but there we go.

I'm pretty stumped as to why you have this problem with decent filtration and low light!!!

However if your tap water is defficient in something you will find out soon.

Can we have a full tank shot? Do you disturb the substrate?

AC

 

[mbsqw1d]

Can we have a full tank shot? Do you disturb the substrate?

AC

FULL

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

Yes I stir the sand a little after when I do a weekly clean. I don't have ANY testing kit for those types of results I'm afraid. As for running 20W bulbs on a 15W ballast, I didn't know that was possible? And I think Id have to dismantle the hood to find that out...

 

[SuperColey1]

I'll save you the bother. You have a Fluval 'duo' canopy (Fluval label) or a rebranded Fluval (light glo label.)

This is the inside of your ballast recess. You have 30W power Also those Hagen tubes are rubbish. The Arcadia combo is much much better. P@H sell the Arcadias as do most fish shops.

AC

 

[mbsqw1d]

Also those Hagen tubes are rubbish. The Arcadia combo is much much better.

great In what way?

So my tubes could glow brighter with a 2 x 20 W ballast?

Regarding my algae problems.. I should hopefully receive the Seachem Excel this week. ALSO, I have realised that my tank was getting a little bit of sunlight on it.. which I understand is a big no no!? I've rectified this now...

 

[RadaR]

Also those Hagen tubes are rubbish. The Arcadia combo is much much better.

ALSO, I have realised that my tank was getting a little bit of sunlight on it.. which I understand is a big no no!? I've rectified this now...

Only if you didnt have enough CO2 or nutrients to combine with it (which you dont)

 

[mbsqw1d]

Also those Hagen tubes are rubbish. The Arcadia combo is much much better.

ALSO, I have realised that my tank was getting a little bit of sunlight on it.. which I understand is a big no no!? I've rectified this now...

Only if you didnt have enough CO2 or nutrients to combine with it (which you dont)

sorry, so lack of CO2 and nutrients WOULD make sunlight on a tank a problem?

I believe I have a lack of CO2 at the moment.