Newly Planted

[sianuk]

Hi all

Its almost 5 weeks since i started out on my planted tank journey and at the moment it is fishless, over the past couple of weeks i,ve been hit with the brown diatoms am i correct in thinking that this is stage that a new tank has to go through how long does this last? or am i doing something wrong?If so what can i do to help, at the moment i just clean the glass,leaves and turn the sand substrate.I was thinking of buying Otto,s for my first fish so these can become my work force on the algae front,would these have fun on the brown diatoms? How many would you recommend for my size of tank?


29 uk gallons 36" tank ,sand substrate,heavily planted
100w =approx 2.4 wpg.......7hr photo period
Pressurized Co2 solenoid controlled, 1 bpm drop checker nice,n green
Good plant growth

Thxs to all that have helped me get to this stage so far

Regards Ian

 

[SuperColey1]

Hello Ian

Just looking at your tank stats 100w over 29UK gallon? how many US is that. I think you have a higher WPG than you imagine

with 1 bpm in a tank this size I assume you either have super super circulation to get to green or something is not calculating correctly Make sure the drop checker is the opposite side from the filter output and 3-4 inches underwater. Also is a good idea to have it closer to the front than the centre as they often reflect the green from plants and as the water gets a little browner through the week this can often distort the colour.

My tank has awesome circulation now (I do have it rippling the top though) and I have my bps at 4!!

brown diatoms is not a stage that all new tanks must go through and some don't but the majority do. Leave the glass for 3-4 weeks to let the algae complete its cycle and then clean it and it should never come back. between 4-6 Otos would be good for your size tank but be careful because they can run out of food very quickly and a few will die,

Good Luck Im off to Portugal (but will still be on the internet)
Andy

 

[sianuk]

Thxs Andy for quick reply as always sorry 31 uk gall 38 us gall according to PFK calculator the drop checker exactly postioned as you suggested and the colour of signature picture.Otto,s it is then will they eat the diatoms ok?So is there anything i,m doing wrong or is it just a case of waiting

EI method, UV running

 

[SuperColey1]

Thxs Andy for quick reply as always sorry 31 uk gall 38 us gall according to PFK calculator the drop checker exactly postioned as you suggested and the colour of signature picture.Otto,s it is then will they eat the diatoms ok?So is there anything i,m doing wrong or is it just a case of waiting
EI method, UV running

What signature picture? You mena my avatar? Thats blue/green only just getting to green. You want between mushypeas and limeade colour very light green but not pee yellow.

They will love diatoms yes

The doing wrong bit is what we all strive to find and can never get the abosolute correct answer because we all have different parameters and therefore have to alter different parts of the plan to correct it.

Youre going through a normal phase of a new tank so don't worry but get the CO2 up up up. You may as well blast it out while you have no fish andthen reduce it slowly to green once you near the time when you want them.

Andy

 

[sianuk]

Cheers Andy and understood enjoy Portugal take care

Thxs Ian