Some Advice On Setting Up An Ei Tank....

[Dave Spencer]

I added two young Ottos and four Bumblebee Shrimp one week after starting my EI dosing regime. My question is; should there be thread algae, on the plants, parts of the glass, and on rapidly growing, pearling Vallisneria.

To be honest, I think algae of this type enhances the view, but will it take over? The Ottos rasp over the Vallis, which is their favourite type of leaf, but the threads remain (how tough is this stuff?). They now have rounded stomachs, so I shall get another pair as they are clearly doing a job. cosidering not one flake of food has been added to this tank.

My Vallis, Hygrophilia, Egeria, Rotala and Ludwigia are really starting to grow and give out O2 bubbles. Should there be any algae, emphasising the fact that it is not unsightly and my planting and dosing regime are by the book (girly swat)?

When should I start pruning my fast growers, and what is the best way to prune Egeria? I have learnt how to prune stem plants from this forum, but am a little unsure regarding the Egeria/Elodea Densa.

I have one Jave Fern that is growing plantelets on its leaf edges. What should I do with these, as I hope to give these to a friend starting a low tech tank, or as a freebies on this site?

Cheers, Dave.

Why do so few people use their proper names on such a friendly site?

 

[George Farmer]

Hi Dave,

Your algae is common in new set ups, even with "text book" plants and dosing. Keep things stable, CO2 at 30ppm, dosing, 50% weekly water changes etc. and the algae should go.

Prune Egeria like other stems, re-plant cuttings.

Leave the Java fern plantlets or let them float/sink until required.

Member names - I guess some like an alter ego.

 

[Themuleous]

I added two young Ottos and four Bumblebee Shrimp one week after starting my EI dosing regime. My question is; should there be thread algae, on the plants, parts of the glass, and on rapidly growing, pearling Vallisneria.

In the early stages of any tank you WILL get algae, but over time the EI principle says the plants will slowly beat it into submission. That said I started my EI nano in March and I've had algae ever since, but I dont think I planted heavily enough to stop it happening so more my fault than that of EI.

To be honest, I think algae of this type enhances the view, but will it take over? The Ottos rasp over the Vallis, which is their favourite type of leaf, but the threads remain (how tough is this stuff?). They now have rounded stomachs, so I shall get another pair as they are clearly doing a job. considering not one flake of food has been added to this tank.

Ottos wont touch anything thread like in my experience, prefer soft flat algae and diatoms. Shrimp are your best control method for thread algae as they love the stuff, but you need lots. I try and keep 10 in my 4g nano, when Im not killing them with copper that is!

My Vallis, Hygrophilia, Egeria, Rotala and Ludwigia are really starting to grow and give out O2 bubbles. Should there be any algae, emphasising the fact that it is not unsightly and my planting and dosing regime are by the book (girly swat)?

See first point, yes. Keep up the dosing and keep the fast growers and it 'should' go away given time.

When should I start pruning my fast growers, and what is the best way to prune Egeria? I have learnt how to prune stem plants from this forum, but am a little unsure regarding the Egeria/Elodea Densa.

I have heard it said that you should not prune anything for the first month, certainly the first few weeks to give the plants time to adapt to the new environment, etc. It'll look like a jungle for ages but there is no short cut to a great looking planted tank, trust me Ive tried them all! As for the egera, just snap it in half and push both bits into the substrate, its the easiest of all the pants in the known universe to propagate, you'll be sick of it eventually!

I have one Jave Fern that is growing plantelets on its leaf edges. What should I do with these, as I hope to give these to a friend starting a low tech tank, or as a freebies on this site?

I've never tried it myself, but I've heard that you just leave them be until they detach from the mother plant of their own accord, then you can tie them to something as you would normally and they'll grow.

Cheers, Dave.

Nothing to say here, but might as well quote it for completeness sake

Why do so few people use their proper names on such a friendly site?

I personally consider myself something of a computer nerd, so using my real name instead of my uni won tag just wouldn't do, now would it? B)

EDIT - Ninja'ed by George!

 

[plantbrain]

I generally suggest 2x a week water changes, 50-80% for about 1-2 months.
More water changes does not hurt a tank since you add ferts after the water change.

This seems to prevent any such new start up issues. Another is to add old dirty filter water or mulm from an old established tank's substrate to the new tank.
This works for any tank type BTW, not just planted.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Dave Spencer]

Thanks for the advice chaps, that has put my mind at rest!