Plant Probs...

[orientmatt]

Been having a few problems with my 33 gallon planted tank recently. Its fairly heavily planted, but I've started to notice that its starting to struggle a bit recently. I know my lighting isn't ideal (25w), but I'm working on this. (does anyone have any tips on how to improve the reflection of the bulb). I've also set up a DIY C02 system(it might have some effect).

But the biggest problem I have at the moment is my poxy pleco that destroys everything before it gets a chance t get established. I feed it quite regularly with cucumber, but it still feels the need to eat the plants as well. Its size doesn't help either( just swimming about it pulls things up). Has anyone got any ideas to prevent it from destroying everything.

Some of the plants have a bit of algae on them as well, nothing serious, but how can I get rid of it?

 

[George Farmer]

What tube/reflector are you currently using? Arcadia reflectors are good.

You need to add at least one more 25W tube IMO to stand a good chance of success and to really get the benefit from CO2. With your DIY CO2 try using two bottles simultaneously, swapping the mixtures alternately to acheive a stable CO2. Aim for a 30ppm CO2 level. Keeping this constant CO2, using decent lighting/reflectors, fertilisers and planting heavily will see off any algae issues.

How are you diffusing your CO2?

Your tank dimensions are wrong somewhere. A 3 x 1 x 1ft tank holds 23 US Gallons max. I imagine your tank is 18" tall. If you do have a 23G then 2 x 25W would be ideal in such a shallow tank.

You will have to re-house your plec by the sound of it unless you stick to very tough plants i.e. Java fern, Anubias etc.

I question your fish selection if I may? I believe Jewel cichlids aren't suitable for a community tank, 3 Red-Tailed sharks is asking for trouble in your size tank (I assume they're juvenile) as they're very territorial when adult and if your tank is 12" tall then it's far too shallow for Angels.

 

[orientmatt]

Ok, thanks for your help. Its quite possible that my tank calculations are wrong, because I worked it out on a website(probably inaccurate). I've rechecked and my is 18" in height, and 12" from front to back, and 3 foot wide/long, so your probably right.

The tube I'm using at the moment is an Interpet Daylight Plus(25w, 30"). The only reflector is the white of the inside of the hood.

I'm diffusing the C02 by connecting to the filter, at the blue outlet bit on the top. (its a Fluval 3+).

I already knew that my fish selection isn't exactly brilliant. Me being the idiot that I am I didn't know that they were cichlids when I bought them. oops. I didnt do my research on the red tailed black sharks either, and one of them is slightly more boistrous than the others, but I've had no disasters so far. I am planning to find a new tank from somewhere so I can do some fish 'juggling' and have a tank more suited to my pleco's needs, e.g. bogwood (I've got some comin g soon), as I dont really want to get rid of him.

Trouble is I've got all these problems and very little money.