Desperatly seeking help

magsdez · Post by **magsdez** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:12 pm

Ok, I really need some help. My 75g looks like a disaster

I can't seem to get it right! I have good lighting, CO2, ferts, heat, etc and I can't get the algae under control. Also, my crypts look awful.

We do weekly water changes, fert 3x's a week, periodic testing (all within limits) and yet, my 12g that I do nothing with except weekly to every 2 weeks water changes looks great!!! If I want a plant to live, it goes into the 12g these days. Is there anyone will to come down to northern calvert to guide me? I need help. I'm at my wits end. I learn better hands on (that's why I love the meetings, but need something more).

I'll pay for gas

(on hands and knees begging pitifully)

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:26 pm

I had a similar experience with Crypts when I started planting my 90g. They sometimes "melt" away until they get established and then come back. Just try not to move them.

magsdez · Post by **magsdez** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:23 pm

They haven't been moved in a year. Long enough I would think

Cristy Keister · Post by **Cristy Keister** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:35 pm

You're a long way away! Can you post your tank details?
substrate
light - type, wattage, hours on
CO2 level
ferts - which do you dose, how often, how much
plants (it's useful to know if you have mostly slow growing or fast growing sp.)
fish load
% water changed
what type of algae do you have

include photo if possible.

magsdez · Post by **magsdez** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:51 pm

I've worked on taking photos before unsucessfully. I'll try again. Thanks to Kris's discussion about cameras (LOVED IT!!! USE IT A LOT!!) I'm doing better with the picture taking.

magsdez · Post by **magsdez** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:54 pm

Also, I'm weak with algae definitions. Fiance and I tend to disagree on what's in there.

magsdez · Post by **magsdez** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:10 pm

ok. Here's the breakdown of the tank.
Substrate: Flourite sand w/ gravel mixed
Lighting: (we have 2 strips)
Type:
T5 Plantgrow-54wts-8hrs (1p-9p) on the back strip
T5 Daylight-54wts-8hrs (1p-9p) on the back strip
T8 10,000-32wts-10hrs (noon-10p) on front strip
T8 std all-glass bulb (came with strip)-32wts-10hrs (noon-10p) on front strip

CO2: This is the co2 diffuser we use. Last co2 test was at 9.2ppm, I think.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=15524

Ferts: (EI dosing)
Flourish iron, 3x wk, 1.5 caps
Flourish comp, 3x wk, 1.5 caps
KH2PO4, 3x wk, 1/2 of 1/4tsp
K2SO4, 3x wk, 1/4tsp

Plants:
Hygro augustofolia
Hygro corymbosa
Crypt albida
Crypt balansae
Crypt wendtii
Crypt affinis
Crypt siamensis
Java fern
Crinum thaianum
Val americana

Fish:
4 bota kubaties
3 SAE
3 Pearl Groumi
1 java loach
12 or so rasporas
4 arulas barbs (plus 1 baby)
4 odesa barbs

Water changes done weekly at 50%

Misc equipment:
koralia powerhead, 2 fluval 205 filters, 2 heaters, substrate heater.

Algae: unknown. see pics below

magsdez · Post by **magsdez** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:11 pm

Pictures:

magsdez · Post by **magsdez** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:14 pm

Thanks to anyone who can help. Could it be that our co2 reactor isn't cutting it? Here's a link to the system we have. It's attached to a 5gal tank and we bypassed the counter (since it broke) as well at the diffuser (also broke).

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=9935

fredyk · Post by **fredyk** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:22 pm

I think one of the best ways to get it under control is reduce lighting. As Tom (APC) (can't think of his name) says, it is much easier to grow plants under lower lighting; less of everything is needed and things grow more slowly.

That is like establishing a baseline, then increase slowly and adjust.

Desperatly seeking help

Desperatly seeking help

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