Plenty Of Problems

[Chramboman]

Ok, setup is as following
-46 gallon bowfront
-2 aquaclear 50s
-110w CF light
-DIY C02 Injector/maker
-No fertilizers
-I've got a good amount of plants
-Water changes weekly

First question- My tank has been running for about 7 months. It's got an algae bloom. I'm not sure what to do about it. it started out milky/white color but quickly, in about a weeks time, turned to a nasty green. My question is how do I stop the problem at the root, not just cover up the symptoms.
Second question - Brown algae. I got it, it's on pretty much everything(gravel, plants, filters, etc.) How do I take care of that one? There is a nice layer everywhere.
Third Question - Where can I find some bogwood/driftwood. Also, how is pricing on that?
Fourth Question - What are some good plants to look for? Particularly bush type plants, I see a lot of your tanks, and they look really really good. I'm trying to figure how you guys do it!
Fifth, and final question - UV sterilizers. Worth it? I've got a little money to play around with, so I could afford it, I'm just not sure I need it.

Any help on these issues would be great. If ya need more info on setup, just lemme know and i'll try to get it. Once again, thank you much for any time and or help you can provide.

 

[RadaR]

Ok, setup is as following
-46 gallon bowfront
-2 aquaclear 50s
-110w CF light
-DIY C02 Injector/maker
-No fertilizers
-I've got a good amount of plants
-Water changes weekly

First question- My tank has been running for about 7 months. It's got an algae bloom. I'm not sure what to do about it. it started out milky/white color but quickly, in about a weeks time, turned to a nasty green. My question is how do I stop the problem at the root, not just cover up the symptoms.
Second question - Brown algae. I got it, it's on pretty much everything(gravel, plants, filters, etc.) How do I take care of that one? There is a nice layer everywhere.
Third Question - Where can I find some bogwood/driftwood. Also, how is pricing on that?
Fourth Question - What are some good plants to look for? Particularly bush type plants, I see a lot of your tanks, and they
look really really good. I'm trying to figure how you guys do it!
Fifth, and final question - UV sterilizers. Worth it? I've got a little money to play around with, so I could afford it, I'm just not sure I need it.

Any help on these issues would be great. If ya need more info on setup, just lemme know and i'll try to get it. Once again, thank you much for any time and or help you can provide.

1. You need to dose fertiliser, no wonder you have algae problems. For a tank that size, with that lighting you should be looking at doing EI (see the pinned topic). You want to give the plants everthing they need so they grow healthy and algae wont have a chance.

2. Again, this is down to not using ferts. A bit of elbow grease will get it off to start with.

3. Are you in the UK? Aquaessentials as some good wood to offer.

4. Plants like Rotala are really good. Brings some nice leaf shapes and colours to the tank. Also try Stargrass and some Ludwigia species. Alot of us use Java ferns aswell.

5. UV sterilizers, I personally wouldn't try them. The correct combo of plants, light, ferts and CO2 should be enough.

 

[Chramboman]

So If I dose fertilizer. Not entirely sure what that means (sorry, new to aquatics) Could you give a brief description on it? Or perhaps a website link?That should take care of the algae problems? I mean, is there a place i can get tests to see what is high, or low? I'm in the U.S. Thanks for the advice, I look forward to hearing.

 

[RadaR]

Fertiliser is nutrients for the plants to make them strong, healthy and make it easier for them to photosynthesise (how plants make food for themselves).
It seems as though you have everything for the plants exept fertiliser. Give the plants what they need and they will grow and make it hard for algae. You can buy test kits but I really wouldnt bother. A good place to get equipment in the U.S is Doctors Foster and Smith.
Have a look at the pinned topics in the Plant forum, they are a good place to start.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Just to add to what Fred said, you have high light levels that mean your plants will be growing at an accelerated rate, which greatly increases their demand for nutrients. I am not sure what CO2 system you have by your description, but you will also need levels stable at 30ppm.

Otos are great for getting rid of diatoms, but get at least three as they like eachother`s company.

I have just been reading up on UV sterilisers and their effect on redox, but I haven`t quite got my head around it yet.

Dave.

 

[Chramboman]

Alright, just got home a bit ago and got some fertilizer. It's called "PlantGrow" It says iron enrichment. Should I put that stuff in? I also did about an 90-80% water change.

The C02 is one I made out of a pop bottle. The plants have been letting bubbles go like crazy. They've probably doubled since I got them. SHould I buy more plants to help the speed? Not to mention i'd like to get some more. Will the bloom calm down on it's own eventually?

 

[RadaR]

Yep, add in the fertiliser, follow the directions on the bottle. That's your trace, now you should also dose nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. See here.
For a tank that size with that light, a DIY pop bottle isnt enough for CO2, not to mention the levels must vary quite a bit. Your aim is to get a CO2 level of 30ppm (everything you need to know about CO2 is here)
Get some more fast growing plants in there.

Here are some good ones to get...

Hygrophila species
Ludwigia species
Rotala species
Egeria species
Brazilian Water Ivy
Small Ambulia
Mexican Oak Leaf
Water Sprite
Hornwort
Floating plants (careful they don�t block too much light)

The algae should start to calm down after you introduce fast growing plants, get a stable level of 30ppm CO2, dose EI, and have the lighting on 10hurs a day, less if you think you need to.

 

[BHornsey]

Best thing to do for the short term is throttle back the light. Either reduce the photoperiod, replace it with a lower wattage for now or raise it higher above the water surface.
Once you have a fertilising routine sorted you can then return to these lights.
In the US, you can also try Greg Watson for your ferts.
By 'good amount of plants' what are we talking here. Normally for plants to dominate you need to cover 2/3 - 3/4 of the substrate.
Have a good read of the pinned articles. Any questions, there's always plenty of help.

 

[Chramboman]

I actually ordered the rest of the ferts from Greg Watson. I got Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium. I also got the CMB+ Stuff for the trace. I've been looking into different C02 things. I've found liquid Carbon, does that work? I also found a few different sights that have DIY ones that use Pressurized C02. I'm not too clear on what I need to make one. I've got some of the stuff I need to make it already, but i'm not sure on what some of the stuff is. Could I use a paintball tank for it? Because that's a lot easier to obtain then a welding one. Thanks again.

 

[BHornsey]

From what I understand of liquid carbon, such as Seachem Excel, it won't produce enough for high light levels. Excel tanks are normally smaller, lower light based. I use it in my smaller tanks.
Once you get to 2 wpg and beyond you need some form of CO2, usually pressurised. Although more expensive to setup, running costs are cheaper than the liquid options, or at least in the UK it is. DIY CO2 isn't steady enough generally.
I use 2½kg fire extinugisher bottles. Never used a paintball bottle but I hear some people have. It depends on your regulator.
Over there, I hear Rex Grigg does some nice regulators, needle valves, etc at a reasonable price.
You can also build an internal CO2 reactor.
Or if you have some money to spend there's plenty of good (and poor) equipment out there, up to the insanely priced ADA stuff.
Take your time, don't rush into anything, and don't be afraid to ask.

 

[2pods]

UV sterilizers are good for what they are meant to do.
Keeping your fish healthy.
read this
I wouldn't say that they are essential, but I wouldn't be without mine

Peter

 

[Chramboman]

Well, i'm up for the pressure style C02, i'm just confused as to what I need. I've got a regulator, and can make a diffuser fairly easy. My question is where do I find a needle valve? Do most hardware stores have em? Also, how do I check my C02 levels? I know a while ago in a test kit I had it had a system to where you could work it out based on hardness of water and nitrate I think.





UV sterilzers sound good, i'm just afraid my water will get clear, but my plants won't grow that well. If I can clear up from the start, i'd be very happy. I've read about Coralife ones being pretty good. What kind do you have?

 

[2pods]

I have the old version of the TMC Vecton15 15w sterilizer.

As I said, they might clear up your water, but that's not what they are for.
They help keep your fish safe from a lot of waterborn virii etc.

New version here

The main difference between the aquarium and pond ( DO NOT buy one of these for a tank) is the power (more per litre for a tank) and distance to the quartz tube (pond versions usually have a larger gap so flocculated algae will pass the tube and will be treated.)

I've had a UV since the first year of my tank, and it's never affected my ability to grow plants in the tank.

HTH

Peter

 

[Chramboman]

Alright, a little update. Not much has changed. My ferts should be at the house when I get home, and as far as CO2, i'm not sure where to go some of the stuff, so i'm holding off on it. Could I run two of the DIY ones at the same time? Also, how long should it take untill the water clears up?

 

[2pods]

Alright, a little update. Not much has changed. My ferts should be at the house when I get home, and as far as CO2, i'm not sure where to go some of the stuff, so i'm holding off on it. Could I run two of the DIY ones at the same time? Also, how long should it take untill the water clears up?

Not sure about the algae clearing up, but a few people on here run two DIY Co2, or two Nutrafins at once.
Hopefully someone who does will be along soon

peter