russellbrooke
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- Feb 22, 2006
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Hi, this is my first topic, so be gentle.
I've got a 260L tank with gravel substrate. A c02 injector (from bottle). Have 2 plat vail tail angels, albino cories, a few cardinal neon’s, a few bleeding hearts, 4 Rainbow Bosemanis and two botias (oh and some shrimps which I hardly ever see!). I've had the tank for about 3 years (my 2nd tank) and have been keeping trops for about 5 years. Water params are good (I think), ph 7-7.2, kh 4, gh 10, no2 0 (no ammonia), no3 100. I do weekly water changes of about 30%. I mix ro with tap to bring the hardness down as our tap water is really really hard (use Pearson's square calculator on www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk to work this out).
I'm having a bit of an algae outbreak at the mo because I’ve just taken lots of plants out to fit some new bogwood in, and replaced my lights (which I do ever year), not 100% sure wattage, but I can find out if necessary).
I want to concentrate on having a nice planted tank. So I’ve got several questions.
1. Should I change the substrate to have part soil (some variation), sand then gravel as this will provide more nutrient?
2. I want to change the diffuser for my c02 as it's rubbish, any links where I can get a new one from. My current one is just a bell which releases tiny bubbles into the water. I want on this allows the bubbles to stay in contact with water for longer.
3. What fertilizers should I use, and how often? I'm currently using a liquid fertilizer which I only add once a week after water changes?
Thanks for any comments, and I must say this is an excellent fish forum! Great articles which i could read for weeks!
I've got a 260L tank with gravel substrate. A c02 injector (from bottle). Have 2 plat vail tail angels, albino cories, a few cardinal neon’s, a few bleeding hearts, 4 Rainbow Bosemanis and two botias (oh and some shrimps which I hardly ever see!). I've had the tank for about 3 years (my 2nd tank) and have been keeping trops for about 5 years. Water params are good (I think), ph 7-7.2, kh 4, gh 10, no2 0 (no ammonia), no3 100. I do weekly water changes of about 30%. I mix ro with tap to bring the hardness down as our tap water is really really hard (use Pearson's square calculator on www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk to work this out).
I'm having a bit of an algae outbreak at the mo because I’ve just taken lots of plants out to fit some new bogwood in, and replaced my lights (which I do ever year), not 100% sure wattage, but I can find out if necessary).
I want to concentrate on having a nice planted tank. So I’ve got several questions.
1. Should I change the substrate to have part soil (some variation), sand then gravel as this will provide more nutrient?
2. I want to change the diffuser for my c02 as it's rubbish, any links where I can get a new one from. My current one is just a bell which releases tiny bubbles into the water. I want on this allows the bubbles to stay in contact with water for longer.
3. What fertilizers should I use, and how often? I'm currently using a liquid fertilizer which I only add once a week after water changes?
Thanks for any comments, and I must say this is an excellent fish forum! Great articles which i could read for weeks!