Planted Tank - Re Start

[boonc]

To all,

I have a Juwel Trigon 350. I have just removed all the old plants and plan a 3 day black out to kill off a stuborn algae problem.

I have a fully pressurized co2 system set- up and ready to go with external reactor.

Lighting is standard Juwel high brite but with 4 reflectors. (I intend to buy 4 new tubes - what would people recommend?)

I have had problems in the past with poor plant growth and hair algae. I believe this due to only having a gravel substrate and also my lack of experience with fertilization. (I also live in a very hard water area)

I'm looking for some advice on improving my substrate (I have fish in at present and have no where to move them to) and also some advice on the order of things to do from here to get planted out and growing well to avoid algae. I have read about EI but I can't really manage weekly 50% water changes.

I am also looking for some inspiration with aqua scaping a trigon 350 - finding it hard to picture a 'design'

I am determined to have a beautiful looking planted aquarium but I need some help from u guys please!

All advice very gratefully received.

 

[sjdriscoll]

I had the same problems and used to rip out my tanks in utter despair as the algae took hold every few months. Now I have a flourishing tank......................still with algae! - no way to totally eliminate it over a long period I believe - I just have a lot less and it's hard to spot for the casual observer.

I changed from gravel to Eco Complete - excellent stuff although expensive at first.

I can recommend a Siamese Algae Eater to deal with the hair algae as well as some Amano shrimps.

As for ferts - I use PMDD (poor man's daily dosing) regime and it works well for me - less ferts = less % water change.
there is a thread on here somewhere or try Googling 'Barr report' etc.

I have a 2 hr 'dark period' to upset the algae in the middle of my light period.

I have some Algone sachets in my external filter to help eliminate algae.

I do 2 water changes per week - only about 15% each one so doesn't take long.

As for the aquascape - google it in images, you can't fail to be inspired!

Good luck

 

[Carter]

what he said...

i think that is a perfect remedy there for starting up what you want to do..

similar to what i do also

 

[boonc]

Thanks for the advice people.

Can I mix Eco complete into my existing gravel?

What about lighting? I have the standard juwel hi brite system providing 138watts of light for my 70ish gallons of water. I have reflectors on all 4 tubes. I want to replace the tubes with some plant growth ones. I believe Arcadia do lengths to suit my Juwel light units. What combination of light outputs should I go for?

Bought a huge piece of mopani wood as a centre piece for my new aqua scape today.

Really want to be sucessful this time around!

Can you tell me a little more about the poor mans dosing method?

Many thanks!

 

[sjdriscoll]

That much light gives you an index of nearly 2 - so grow what you like but you will have to add CO2 + nutrients - the PMDD info is on:

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/

Lights - I would go for a Tropical Original and Freshwater mix, maybe 2 of each from Arcadia. Check out the pinned section on here.

I wouldn't mix the Eco-complete with the gravel - think about how that would look! Yuk. Dig deep - 2 -3 bags should be more than enough and you should have some left over for replacing 'tired' substrate later on.

Steve

 

[boonc]

Think I'd need more than 3 bags! Trigon 350 has a large base area. Reckon I'd need at least 8 20 lb bags. What about putting 3 bags down as a base then my gravel on top?

 

[SuperColey1]

I have had problems in the past with poor plant growth and hair algae. I believe this due to only having a gravel substrate and also my lack of experience with fertilization. (I also live in a very hard water area)

CO2 more likely not nutrients

Light looks high to me and could cause problems until you have the experience. forget the plant lamps. All light (within reason) is plant light!!! Just get tubes that are the right length good quality CRI and the K colouration that suits your eyes/desired look. Ones without the letters A Q U A R I U M on them will be much much cheaper for the same thing (if not better) Juwel lights are a funny measurement so best make sure before buying.

The PMDD+PO4 dosing is good and I used to use it. Make sure you use the modified and not the original. I used to do 10-20% weekly w/c on it.

AC

 

[boonc]

Thanks for all the advice.

I'll have to be careful with the light then - I normally run a 5 - 2 - 5 lighting period. Maybe 4 - 4 - 4 would be better?

Have done some research on the suggested fertilization - looks easy enough and 10 - 20% weekly water change will be easy enough to manage.

I'm 2 days into the blackout now.

Intend to order co2 cylinder and dry ferts next week. (+ drop checker)

Still need to decide about substrate - can't afford to use 100% Eco complete un-fortunately.

Thanks again.