Frankly I'm stumped by this little tank. I have hardly any issues with our systems at work but this one gives me trouble, oy vay. Oh well, it's fun learning! Haha
So, I'm having standard issues with algae, no big concern for me other than I think algae on the plants is causing them to melt? I usually expect some on the glass that can be easily cleaned off but the algae on the plants themselves is annoying me, I'm not sure what to do with it. I have a cardinal plant and it's not doing well, I think because of the algae - the longer stems are starting to melt and I'm noticing the leaves are losing there color and becoming clear. I'm assuming it's a perennial but I'm not 100% since I'm new to planted tanks.
My Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate are all testing at 0. My alkalinity is at 4. My pH, interestingly, is at about 8.2 which I'm baffled by given the alkalinity is only 4. Hmm. Yes, I tested twice and the test kit doesn't expire until 2024. Is it possibly because all we have is 1 betta in a 4.4 gallon and this is causing a higher level of oxygen than is "required" in a planted tank?
I also have a yellow spot on our anubias nana, which tells me there is some sort of nutrient deficiency. I haven't dosed the flourish supplement in awhile so perhaps that is why.
Any thoughts, suggestions?