Someone Reassure Me...

[Themuleous]

Please tell me this will pass?

The HC is growing but not very well, thinking I should have spent more time separating and planting it, the clump process just doesn't seem to have worked well.

On a plus note, got some pygmy corys, hopefully they wont jump out of the tank like my dwarf rasboras!

Sam

 

[Daz CPFC]

Currently have the same algae all over my Ricca :'(

 

[Dave Spencer]

Why don`t you take the HC out and remove the algae by hand. Then you could replant it with more separation. This may result in better growth and, therefore, less algae.

I hope this nano works out for you. I am looking foreward to seeing it mature.

 

[Themuleous]

Thanks Dave, might give that a try or just get some more, I wasn't as careful with it as I have been in the past and I think I'm paying the price

Sam

 

[AndyTaylor]

Been there, Sam. Take it out, clean it and replant it in smaller clumps. Should be possible to save it. Don't leave it too long though as in my experience HC dies quickly....

 

[George Farmer]

I had this algae in my nano too. It got so bad (through my own neglect) that it choked my HC. I described it in my journal.

Keep things stable and manually remove as much as possible, every day if you have to. After removing it do a 50% water change and dose accordingly.

It should clear up in time, a couple of weeks or so maybe.

Sam, I have to say your HC looks like it's been planted a little "lazily". HC likes a nutrient-rich substrate too, so planting as much into it as possible will also help its growth.

Reassurance - Keep at it matey, and it will pass.

 

[SuperColey1]

Themulous

Although I have no expertise or knowledge, be assured that I am here to lend you a post to cry on, and pour your heart out if anything goes wrong, which I am sure will not happen.

Good Luck and keep trying matey.

Andy

 

[Themuleous]

Thanks guys much appreciated .

George - Your right, while I wasn't necessarily lazy (it did take me two hours) I didn't do what I did the first time which was to carefully tease it apart and then plant individual stems deep in the substrate and I'm paying the price. Might get some more in and do in again properly. My only reason for doing so was that several people have said that the 'clump' method has work well for them, so thought I would do the same, not again! Guess it all adds to the experience bank.

Thanks Andy I'll try not to get the shoulder to wet

Right I'm off to AE to get some more HC and poss a second snail two, might as well

Sam

 

[lljdma06]

Sorry Sam, that algae looks aweful. Just do as the previous posters suggest and you should be fine. It's funny how people forget this is still a stemplant, you definitely have more than 3-4 stems in each clump. Lazy bones! It needs to take at least 4 hours to know you've got it planted right!

On a positive note, your pygmies look great! Makes me miss the little fish. They actually swim throughout all levels of the tank, so you'll have plenty of entertainment. They are not big on jumping, however, so that should be a relief. They really do best, however, in a slightly cooler tank, aim for between 22-23C actually, but trust me, these little cats will love it. They tolerate higher temperatures but will be far more active in the range I mentioned. How many little pygmies do you have?

llj

 

[Themuleous]

thanks for that Llj! and your right I do forget its a stem plants

As for the pygmy's I really like them I'll lower the temp when I get home, it has been rather hot in there recently, but if they need cooler temps it'd def better lower it. They have been rather lethargic, not at all as active as they were in the shop. I have 9 of them, wanted 7 but the bloke gave me 9 and only charged me for 7, got them cheaper than normal as well, so a bargain investment. I haven't lost a single one yet as far as I can tell, but have lost another dwarf rasbora in the last two days so thats a good sign for the corys, not so good for the two remaining rasboars thou! BTW what did you feed them? I've carried on using the crushed flake that the rasboars were getting? Just think it might get trapped in amongst the riccia where they cant get at it?

Sam

 

[nry]

What substrate do you have with the pygmy corydoras? I saw some locally but I'm not sure if Eco-Complete is suitable as it isn't recommended for burrowing fish?

 

[Dave Spencer]

I have 9 of them, wanted 7 but the bloke gave me 9 and only charged me for 7, got them cheaper than normal as well, so a bargain investment.
Sam

Recently, I was in my LFS chatting to one of the assistants who I thought knew their stuff pretty well. So.....I was after some Cardinals, around seven to be honest, and in the tank there was nine. I bought the seven off him, realising that he would be aware that the two left behind would be short of company. Lo and behold, he offered the remaining two as freebies. A bit mercenary of me, maybe, but God bless LFS assistants who know their stuff.

 

[Themuleous]

Indeed so Dave

And now we wait....

Sam

 

[Dave Spencer]

That nano cliff edge is awesome and deserves to succeed.

 

[Themuleous]

Haha I'll tell the algae I'm sure it'll comply if you say so Dave I like the cliff, it is a real miniature world in there. Its getting a bit of algae on it, so hoping that it wont get to much, at last I can give it a scrub if needs be.

Sam