Bobtastic's 240l Planted Tank Journal

[lljdma06]

Any updates on this? How's the algae control. It looks much, much better in the last set of pictures.

llj

 

[angelfishguy]

any updates?

 

[Bobtastic]

Ok, finally remembered to take some picture of what the tank looks like atm. I must be honest but I dont seem to be having much luck with this particular setup...

The Crypts that are/were left/back of centre and under the outlet seem to have melted away...

Tho the Hydrocotyle verticillata and Micranthemum umbrosum behind the wood seem to be going ok.

The addition of Co2 seems to have gotten rid of the original algae problem, but this has given way to another/continued, other species of algae problem...

 

[Bobtastic]

I've just updated the bottom of the original post with the picture that have been taken of this tank in it "progress"...

With the addition of pressurised Co2 the problem with the algae on the sand has gone, but it doesn't seem to have resolved all of the algae problems that I am having with this tank. I have switched to a DIY TPN solution, of which I'm dosing 15ml daily atm. I have also lowered the lighting period to see if that has an affect on the algae on the wood, rock and plants.

I have also lowered the power head to just above the filter outlet and Co2 defuser to see if I can get some more Co2 to the lower plants and help with the over all distribution. I have another power head that I currently use for water changes that I would add to the opposite end of the tank to help with flow/distribution around the back of the wood.

I am also planning on getting hold of some more plants to see if the light/low biomass it also contributing to the problem, but don't really want to waste my money if I'm fighting a loosing battle.

I would be really interesting in other ppls opinions and advise on this... I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall with it.

 

[lljdma06]

What is the current photoperiod? I see that the dropchecker looks pretty good. Is it consistantly that color? Also, have you experimented with it in different positions to get different readings?

If it were me, I would have a higher plant mass.

llj

 

[Bobtastic]

I have noticed that the colour of the dropchecker does change. I'll try to get a picture of the colour difference.

I do want to get some more plants. I've just been waiting til I get paid and for a double bank (public) holiday to get out of the way.

I'm just uploading a short/crap video of the bubble counter, defuser/power head and flow to upload to give an idea of how I've got it setup.

I have just reduced the light period, I think it's at 6hrs atm.

 

[Bobtastic]

So here is the video. Unfortunately it was extremely rushed, and u'll probably hear a small child getting in the way! I'll try and get another, better and infocus video done as soon as I can!

Video

 

[Bobtastic]

Following some advice from ceg4048, off of UKAPS I took a tooth brush, did a heavy water change and had at the wood last night. I cleaned off as much algae as time would allow. Also cut out the worst effected leaves and cleaned off those that I could. I'll have to give the rock ago at a later date.

I'll have to get myself some EasyCarbon for spot dosing too. I only had a little bit left, which I used on a small sprig of moss...

I also need to take some more photos for comparison. To see if what I've tried so far is improving the situation or making it worse!

 

[lljdma06]

It sounds like a possible plan of action. Remember, liquid carbon and some plants do not mix well, so be sure your plants are ok with it before you proceed. Vallis and A. reineckii are the ones that spring to my mind, but I also vaguely remember Egeria densa (elodia anacharis), so I'd just confirm with others before you start OD'ing the easycarbo to remove the algae. Show us the photos.

 

[Bobtastic]

I do have some Egeria densa in there, but it is a "cutting" from my other tank so is kind of expendable!

I'll see what sort of effect the small addition has to the sprig.

 

[Bobtastic]

Here are some recent picture of the tank.

There is still alot of algae growing in the tank. So I've obviously not got the balancing act right yet...

Here is a picture of the dwarf grass before I trimmed off the algae.

and after I trimmed off as much as I could...

The Pogostemon helferi seems to have grown loads but to me it doesn't look right... Seems too tall...

Also for some reason the Java Fern has taken a turn for the worst...

I've trimmed off all of the dead looking leaves and placed it higher up the wood so that it's got better flow and more light (tho that didn't seem to bother it earlier...).

 

[lljdma06]

There is a lot of potential with that wood for a spot on triangle scape.

I agree, however, now is the time to get the tank in balance. Not to worry about scapes.

The hairgrass looks much better. I like the substrate choices, it looks very natural to me.

llj

 

[Bobtastic]

I'm getting pretty dis-heartened by the whole experience atm... I don't know where to start at trying to get it balanced...

Not sure if it's a lack of biomas, too much/not enough light, not enough Co2 or poor flow...

The wood is in quite tight so almost blocks the flow to the back right corner.

 

[DAlmond123]

Your crypts look really healthy.

 

[Bobtastic]

Lol, they are atm... They seem to go in loops of melting and growing back. I'm sure I've lost a few plants to it tho... I have to keep removing heavily algae'd or damaged leaves.