Pics So Far

[Rodders]

Littleimp....
Its the drop in voltage off the ballasts that causes the timers to reset their programme and time. 2x 5 1/2 tubes on each plug.


Gf225...
I have Nitrate test kit, it was high, but no down to zero, so I guess I need to dose that. Havnt got a Phosphate tester, will have to get one. Money quite tight at moment.

As for the swords I dont really like them, lol. Im not really liking the whole tank layout. I think next year I will do a complete redesign. I've seen some of those Japanese dudes tanks and they are amazing. I want to try and do something like that.

 

[Rodders]

Well as you can see here, the plants are growing very well.

But, I have problems.
Firstly Diatoms, everywhere.

As you can see i've cleaned some, but its a pain in the arse. Any idea why these are growing?

Secondly, the water has loads of tiny white particals in. Theres loads on the surface too.

I've done 1 water change. about 20% (that took long enough!!)
Theres algae growing on the glass everyday aswell.

My siamese algae eaters dont seem to want to eat the diatoms, but they did excellent and eating up all the green algae.

Nitites 0
Nitates 0
Ammonia 0
kH 3
gH 12
Dont have a phosphate tester

 

[Luke_e]

I just cant get over how perfect your tank is. Absolutly stunning.

 

[xautomaticflowersx]

Argh I sympathise... I have brown algae (diatoms) growing in one of my tanks at the moment too. It's all over my 'Mi Oya', Riccia and the glass.
Before algae scraping, wiping and water change...

I set this tank up a couple of weeks ago and cycled it with loads of established filter media and aquarium water, but I gather that it is not uncommon to experience this sort of brown algae growth in tanks that have yet to stabilise fully.
I'm performing 25% water changes every few days after scraping/wiping off as much of the algae as I can. I always perform water changes with a siphon hose so I can suck up as much of the scrapings as possible. I've also just set up some DIY CO2, which should help my plants to grow and - in theory - therefore remove some of the phosphates etc. from the water.
With any luck it'll start to settle down soon once my plants really begin to take off (the Riccia has already tripled in size) and the conditions in the tank fully stabilise.

Edit: Oh and I have a feeling that the white particles have something to do with bacterial colonisation.

 

[Genesis]

i love

 

[George Farmer]

zero nitrates - you need to start dosing KNO3 ASAP otherwise you'll be constantly chasing algae problems. Similar with phosphates.

Otos are great for soft brown algae.

 

[Rodders]

I've got two otto's but they are the lasiest ever, they dont do anything, lol!!!!! Have to clean eaach leaf by hand...

I'll have to get onto nitrate/phosphate dosing asap.



Ok, so im going to dose

KNO3
KH2PO4

I've also read that I have a Iron deficiency, how can I dose this? Can you just use a normal garden plant feed or something

 

[littleimp]

Littleimp....
Its the drop in voltage off the ballasts that causes the timers to reset their programme and time. 2x 5 1/2 tubes on each plug.


Gf225...
I have Nitrate test kit, it was high, but no down to zero, so I guess I need to dose that. Havnt got a Phosphate tester, will have to get one. Money quite tight at moment.

As for the swords I dont really like them, lol. Im not really liking the whole tank layout. I think next year I will do a complete redesign. I've seen some of those Japanese dudes tanks and they are amazing. I want to try and do something like that.

Ah I see, I thought they were burning out.
You see mechanical timers can set fire without the use of a contactor when using halides!!

 

[pseud]

I've got two otto's but they are the lasiest ever, they dont do anything, lol!!!!! Have to clean eaach leaf by hand...

I'll have to get onto nitrate/phosphate dosing asap.



Ok, so im going to dose

KNO3
KH2PO4

I've also read that I have a Iron deficiency, how can I dose this? Can you just use a normal garden plant feed or something

I'd recommend ordering from GregWatson.com
I hear he ships to the UK, I've been very satisifed with my order (in the US) from him. Very quick, and very helpful when I realised I needed something else he slipped it in and didn't charge me any extra shipping.

You can order KNO3 and KH2PO4 and also "Plantex CSM + B plus extra Iron".

You can also use Iron tabs that you push into the substrate. What are you using for substrate again? I forget and too lazy to check...

I think also that you can buy an Iron fertilizer from Flourish, maybe, not sure, you'd have to check with one of the UK guys (GF, Zig, Jim?)

 

[akudewan]

There is also something called PMDD, Its a pre-formulated mixture of essential fertilizers, and its good if you are tight on money. Its called "Poor Man's Dupla Drops"

Here's a page about it:

http/www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/pmdd-tim.html

 

[pseud]

^^ That's what Greg Watson sells - PMDD

 

[Rodders]

Just ordered lots of ferts, its only money, just eat beans on toast for a while lol.

Anway, once i've started dosing, can someone tell me what water changes I will have to do. Theres no way I can be doing 50%, I just couldnt warm the water up enough while filling unless I spent all day doing it.
Can I be doing say 10% a week or a little more every two weeks?

Also, will the diatoms die out on their own, or will i have to clean all the leaves seperatly then it wont come back

Thanks Mark

edit- also this scum on the surface is something to do with the white bacteria floating around in the water still, so will it all clear or will I have to scrap the surface some how?

 

[Rodders]

Ok, here is my ferting regieme: approx 660litre tank

Day 1, KNO3 needs to be 10ppm
2 teapoons as 1/3 teaspoon raises 100l by 11ppm

KH2PO4 needs to be 1-2ppm
1/3 teaspoon as 1/8 raises 100l by 4.1ppm

Day 2, Trace 1 1/2 teaspoons, 1/4 per 100l
Iron as required, 1/4 teaspoon gives 0.5ppm as 1/10 raises 100l by 1ppm

Day 3, KNO3 and KH2PO4 as required after checks

Day 4, Trace 1 1/2 teaspoons
K2SO4 as required. What ppm should this be, as 1/4 teaspoon raises 100l by 7ppm?

Day 5, KNO3 and KH2PO4 as required after checks

Day 6, Trace 1 1/2 teaspoons.

Day 7, Tank reset, any idea on water changes bearing in mind its 660litres!!!!!

Will be dosing with dry ferts straight into the tank.
Fe and K2SO4 will be dosed on how yellow and if theres holes in the leaves.
I cant help but think its too much trace I think I would get through it pretty fast

What you recon boys/girls???

 

[George Farmer]

Looks good at first glance to me. zig?

I've heard of "Pythons" that you attach to your tap, it empties old and refills with fresh water simultaneously I beleive. Never used one though.

 

[Misskiwi67]

Looks good at first glance to me. zig?

I've heard of "Pythons" that you attach to your tap, it empties old and refills with fresh water simultaneously I beleive. Never used one though.

Pythons are the best fishtank cleaning tool ever invented!!! We use one at home for our 55 and 29 gallon tanks, and we have one at school to clean the 125. In my opinion, if you have to haul more than 3 five gallon buckets of water a week, you need a python!!!

It uses the water from your sink to pull water from the fishtank, and then once you've finished draining dirty water, you switch a valve, and then fill the tank directly from your sink. The only real problem is rolling up the hose when you're finished. Its basically just a siphon with a tube long enough to reach your sink and an adaptor to connect it.