Working Out Ferts....need A Few Pointers :)

[aibo210]

Hi

I have transferd my 65l tank to my new juwel rio 125 I am using eco-complete bed and pressurised co2 (drop cheaker lime green). I have just started doseing Tropica Plant nutrition+ for the last week at 2ml a day mon,tue,wed,thur,fri .... sat rest day.... sunday 1 3rd water change. Only since the week of doesing I have noticed alot of brown algea over my plants,glass and rocks.

The lights on 8 hours a day using 2x28w t5's so do I carry on with the 2ml dose or reduce or increase as I dont know if its lack of nutrients or to much causing this algea bloom.

Many thanks

carl

 

[Colin_T]

Probably too much fertiliser causing the brown algae. If the plants are new then they will take a few weeks before they start utilising all the nutrients you are offering. If they don't use it then algae will instead. Add some mystery snails or algae eating fishes and see if that keeps things a bit cleaner.

 

[aaronnorth]

you dont have enough fertiliser, i dose 2.5ml on my 60l, try to aim for 1ml = 20l so in your case dose around 6ml - higher or lower this depending on lage growth and plant growth. Brown algae is caused by new set ups (up tto 2months) and not enough light. Try upping the lighting to 10hrs a day.

 

[aibo210]

Hi

well ill try doseing the ferts diffrent..you think silicone would cause it? I had to stick in a juwel background ive herd that new silcone in the first few weeks will cause brown algea?

 

[Colin_T]

silicon won't encourage algae. It dries pretty quickly and does not release anything into the water once it is cured.

 

[aaronnorth]

Brown algae is common in new set ups for a couple of month it will go eventually on its own, low lighting (<8hrs a day) can also cause brown algae.