it's all going a bit wrong...

[houndour]

My planted tank started off so well...and now it's about a month down the line it's all going a bit pear shaped.

I've had small signs of algae for about 3 weeks, but the last couple of days it's got noticeably worse. It's the hair type.

Both my amazon swords leaves are getting yellow spots and I think it's a crypt...well all it's leaves have turned brown in 2-3 days!!!

The Vallis is still doing great, the feathery bushy green one is fine, my nymphea (?) sorry can't remember name offhand dwarf lily is doing really well...infact that has taken 3 weeks to get going and now it's growing really fast. The hairgrass is doing OK...its just covered in alage.

I just wanted to get your advice before I did anything wrong...from reading some recent posts on here the brown and yellow leaves are an iron deficiency? I'm guessing i should try some fertiliser, but I don't want the algae to get way out of control. So I'm holding off till I hear from some of you.

Some info about my tank:
Volume: 19 UK gallons
Substrate: laterite with sand on top
Light: 55 Watt (Interpet T5 lighting for plants) 5 hours on, 2 hours off, 5 hours on.
CO2: last time I tested it was 18ppm. I'm still using the sachets that came with it.

Also I have loads and loads of debris on the bottom of my tank...I guess it's plant stuff...anyway to reduce this. The minute I hoover it up it's back in a few hours. I think the corys make it worse.

I was thinking maybe my filter is on too low. Cos my tank seems to be getting cloudier all the time. I have a fluval 3000. Is that enough? But I have it on second lowest setting.. I think there are 4.

Thanks guys,
Sam

 

[iggy01]

With almost 3 wpg and Co2 you will need to start adding a fertilizer. Plants will not grow if the nutrients aren't there.

Do you know what your nitrate level is?

 

[houndour]

Hi Iggy,

I've just read gf225s article on algae and I've decided to hold off the fertilisers as I fear it might cause an algae bloom. I'm going to try cutting down on feeding and shortening the photoperiod to 8 hours (from 10).

My Nitrates are approx 20ppm.

Sam

 

[iggy01]

Ok Houndour! Your nitrate isn't a problem anyway. It's usual though to need to start adding a fertilizer a month or so after setting up a planted tank.

Good luck!

 

[houndour]

I have some of those root tabs. How about I insert 1 under each of the plants that are suffering? Do you think this would help but not have an adverse affect on algae?

 

[jimbooo]

oh dear, i know what that feels like. exactly what happened to me in my 40G. i've finally got rid of the hair algae by changing the tubes. (i had a 9500K marine white in amongst the others) by the sounds of it your light should be fine. do you know the K rating just in case thats the problem?

as to the root tabs your better off with those than liquid fert as when i added liquid fert during my hair algae nightmare it doubled in a few days. steer clear untill you get the algae sorted.
Good Luck

 

[guppygirl]

What are your phosphates?

 

[houndour]

I dont have a phosphate kit.

Before I rush out a buy one...if it were my phosphates being a problem, is there anything I could do about it?

Sam

 

[jimbooo]

yes, you can buy a product called "Rowaphos" you pour the granules into a sock like bag and dump it in your filter. it absorbs huge quantities of phosphate.

but it's not cheap (and nor is the test kit) so you need to test the water first to see if you need the rowaphos.

i have rowaphos in both my tanks and phosphate is never above 0.15ppm.

before adding rowaphos it was off the scale. so it does work.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

A few observations:

- Swords and crypts are heavy root feeders and do need root tabs in the gravel. When you add them be sure to put them down to the bottom glass under the plant.

- With that much light and added co2 all you will grow w/o dosing ferts and micronutrients is great algae.

- You likely need to be adding phosphate, nitrogen, potassium and trace elements and possible even nitrate to that sort of planted tank. Shoot for a ratio of between 10 or 15 - 1 for nitrates to phosphate.

- A larger water change accompanied by a redosing should be done at minimum weekly and better at 2x/week to rest everything.

- You need to strike the proper balance between light/co2/nutrients for your tank. If any one is out of balance the plants will suffer and the algae will thrive. With a proper balance the plants will out compete the algae. It can take some experimentation to find the proper balance for any given tank,

- Reducing the photoperiod will likely increase not decrease the algae.

 

[iggy01]

I totally agree with everything TwoTankAmin says. When we have an algae problem we become obsessed with trying to get rid of it, when we should address the reason it is there in the first place. I've been there myself. Trying to combat algae by neglecting plants doesn't work.

Grow plants by giving them the correct amount of lighting, Co2 and nutrients. The algae, with time, will take care of itself.

Happy plant growing!

 

[houndour]

OK,

I didn't have time tonight, but tomorrow I am going to buy a phosphate kit. And I shall use the root tabs for the swords and crypts.

Should I try the liquid fertiliser too? I have some of this.

Myabe thats why the algae is suddenly getting worse is because some of the other plants seem to be dying? And also I've removed a few

Sam

 

[iggy01]

Should I try the liquid fertiliser too? I have some of this.

Myabe thats why the algae is suddenly getting worse is because some of the other plants seem to be dying? And also I've removed a few

Sam

Whether you should dose liquid ferts is entirely your choice. You have been given different opinions and only you can decide. I would advise you however to read this article on the Estimative Index and give it some consideration. It isn't a quick fix for algae, more a long term solution.

Good luck.

 

[Angry_Platy]

I am using a fertiliser which contains no nitrate of phosphate. Since I started using it (approx 4 weeks ago) I have noticed an obvious improvement in the plants and a reduction to nearly 0 algal growth. That and the fact that I am more stringent with maintaining my DIY CO2 and I have a nice planted tank (which pearls and I am constantly trimming).

 

[iggy01]

I am using a fertiliser which contains no nitrate of phosphate. Since I started using it (approx 4 weeks ago) I have noticed an obvious improvement in the plants and a reduction to nearly 0 algal growth. That and the fact that I am more stringent with maintaining my DIY CO2 and I have a nice planted tank (which pearls and I am constantly trimming).

Glad to hear it Angry_Platy!

Constantly trimming plants can be a bit of a bind, but it beats looking at algae anytime!