I'm not sure what the solution is. It is supplied with the CO2 kit. It is blue in colour if that helps.
As long as you use the indicator (bromo blue) with 4dKH, rather than with tank water.
I've got a picture in my head of what i want this tank to look like and i'm trying to stick to it as much as possible.
I find that the final look will be something that happens despite all my plans
. Just try and coax it in the general direction you want.
You may be teaching me to suck eggs, but its probably the best way. I've kept marines in the past, and IMO planted tanks are much more involved and difficult!
I`ve never tried SW yet, but it looks more involved than planted, to me. Planted tanks are all about the light, and how you use and control it. This comes with experience, and will allow you to plant less densely and with slow growing plants of your own choice. I have seen what too much light and not enough experience can do, and it has driven many people away from planted tanks due to algae issues.
This was my first attempt just over a year ago, with 3.5WPG. You can see how heavily planted it was.
Nowadays, I can plant up with a small plant mass because I have learnt how to control the light in the early days of the tank. This 54l tank was one day old when photographed, and seeded with mature filter media which helps a lot. Lighting was kept to 48W for six hours a day, before finally building up to 72W for ten hours.
As long as you realise that light, low/unstable CO2 and ammonia are going to give you algae, and take steps accordingly, you should be alright. First and foremost control the light with the plant mass you have BTT.
Dave.
