The Big Clean.

[DaveW]

I installed my new lighting last night, here's the process.

Anyway, after turning on the lovely new lights I could see how much algae I really had. I knew I had a bit of fuzz and a bit of brown, but I had no idea how bad it was. So, today I spend about 4 hours removing plants, vacuuming and general cleaning. I had a new piece of wood to replace a bit I wasn't keen on, so I had a bit of a change around.

Here is the tank about 2 weeks ago.

Here is it now. I've installed new lighting and a pressurised CO2 system and started the EI method.

I need to get some more plants, but not sure want to get. I'm going to replace the tall Vallis with a smaller species of Vallis. And replace the Hygro in the back right with ...... something else.

Over all, I'm happy with the way it's going so far.

My Anubias Nana Nana is pearling for the first time ever.

 

[Jen]

The tank is looking great. You can tell how much of a difference the light has made.

What do you mean you are replacing the Val with a smaller species? Do you want it shorter or skinnier?

 

[DaveW]

It sure does (the light that is). The light looks great, I just hope I can keep the algae at bay.

I want to keep the vallis just a shorter version, and fill the back left hand corner.

Have you got any ideas for the back right hand corner? Something bushy but slower growing?

 

[Jen]

I dont think I have heard of a shorter var. or val. I just trim it to the height I want.

 

[panboy]

theres one val that grows only 6-8 inches. i have it, but i completely forgot its name....

 

[DaveW]

From the info on Greenline Aquatic Plants, the Vallis Spiralis only grows to about 25-35cm. But now I've looked at another site it says that it grows to 55+cm. Oh well, I'll just keep pruning.

 

[George Farmer]

Looking very nice DaveW.

I do have one concern though - what actual percentage of your substrate is covered with fast growing plants? It appears you have a few stems of Hygro on the right and Vallis on the left. This alone may not provide enough growth to fight off potential algae, especially as you've almost doubled your lighting. I may be completely wrong though - I know Paulioo has a relatively low plant bio-mass with no algae problems as yet.

Your pressurized CO2 is an excellent addition but I doubt you will need to dose EI just yet. What are your NO3 and PO4 uptake rates?

 

[DaveW]

The uptake of NO3 over two days was 2ppm and PO4 was 0.1ppm max. there is about 10 stems of Hygro. Thailand Stricta and the same for Hygro. Ploysperma.

Will be ordering somw more plants in the very start of the new year. I will be getting some more Vallis, and .... well I'm not sure. I'm going to pop in the LFS today to see if I can find some the catches my eye. Any ideas?

 

[George Farmer]

The uptake of NO3 over two days was 2ppm and PO4 was 0.1ppm max. there is about 10 stems of Hygro. Thailand Stricta and the same for Hygro. Ploysperma.

Will be ordering somw more plants in the very start of the new year. I will be getting some more Vallis, and .... well I'm not sure. I'm going to pop in the LFS today to see if I can find some the catches my eye. Any ideas?

Cool. I didn't realise there was so many stems, youe polysperma will soon become a nutrient sponge!

What NO3 kit are you using BTW?

 

[DaveW]

The polysperma are behind the bog wood, and hopefully should take off soon.

I brought 2 pots of Eustralis Stellata (12 stems in all) and a bunch of what looks like some like of sword plant, it just could my eye.

I have the Nutrafin test kit, but I will be changing over to the API liquid tests.

 

[DaveW]

I know it's only been a few days since I had the new lighting and pressurised co2, but the brown algae is coming back after the "clean". The bit of fuzz algae seems to be disappearing which is a good thing. Stats are as follows:

Ph 7 (with lights on)
Kh 5.5
Gh 8
Po4 1.5
No3 7-8

AH...

Nh3 0.6
No2 0.1


I have just noticed my co2 is down to 17ppm, I'll have to up the rate a little. I think the ammonia and nitrite levels are due to the tube being squashed a little. There is not much room in the cupboard under the tank.

I think I've answered my own question, but please any help would be gratefully received.

 

[George Farmer]

Ammonia/ammonium is a massive algae trigger, even at very low levels.

Your balance of NO3 and PO4 is also off. Aim for 10:1 N ratio. How do you measure 7-8ppm NO3 with the Nutrafin kit?

Low CO2 also will contribute to algae problems.

 

[DaveW]

Yes, I used the Nutrafin kit for the NO3.

The co2 had dropped on it's own. I set it on 39 BPM and when I check it was only 27. The operating pressure has dropped, it was just over 2 and now it's just under 2. I hope this is just a settling in period!

Would it be OK to add some NO3 to bring it up a bit?

One think is for sure, I have to redo the pipe work on my filter.

Oh ... Thanks again George.

 

[George Farmer]

Yes, I used the Nutrafin kit for the NO3.

The co2 had dropped on it's own. I set it on 39 BPM and when I check it was only 27. The operating pressure has dropped, it was just over 2 and now it's just under 2. I hope this is just a settling in period!

Would it be OK to add some NO3 to bring it up a bit?

One think is for sure, I have to redo the pipe work on my filter.

Oh ... Thanks again George.

I was asking how you actually get a reading of 7-8ppm NO3, I assume the pink colour on your test chart is between the 5 and 10ppm markings?

Pressurized CO2 output varies with ambient temperature i.e. cooler = less output.

I would sort your filtration out before adding more KNO3. The fact that you are ready any NH3/4 or NO2 worries me a little. In a healthy planted tank with plenty of growth there should be undectable levels of both. Even if your biological filter is not working 100%, the plant growth should take care of excess ammonia/ammonium and nitrite, in fact plants prefer to use NH3/4 and NO2 as a source of nitrogen over NO3. Obviously your bio-mass/growth is not significant enough to cope with your bio-load and therefore dosing KNO3 would be unadvisable.

I suggest you sort out your filter and plant heavier with more fast growers (Eustralis stellata and swords are not regarded as fast growers), keep your CO2 at 30ppm and then your growth will probably justify dosing KNO3.

Good luck.

 

[DaveW]

Thanks George.
Yes, your right on the test kit. I don't like the Nutrafin kits for that reason. The test charts aren't very good, that's why I will be getting API kits in the future.
I didn't realise about the co2, just have to keep a closer eye on it from now on. It's now up to what it should be.
I will be ordering some more Polysperma and a few more Vallis tonight. But tomorrow I'll be getting some more filter tubing and arrange the cupboard. I have to make sure that it doesn't happen again.
Thanks yet again!