what do you think? plants lacking? - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

mos901 · 10-07-2009, 09:45 AM

ive been fighting some brown hair algae and some bga in my tank,i did a 4 day blackout and 75% of the algae is gone, here are the specs

130gal ,co2 inj,had 1 2080 ehiem and emp 400 filter. took out emp 400 and added another 2080. 18w uv. i keep temps around 79.

water specs.
ammo-0
nitrite-0
nitrate- 0
ph 6.9
co2-15ish
phosphate tests around 1ppm. not sure if need to go higher.

i was only dosing sechem florish every 2 weeks,which im sure wasnt enough, just started dosing ei with npk and csmb.

i have a 400w cf light with 6700 bulbs. but right now to help control algae i cut them back from 8 hour to 6 and only running 1/2 the wattage.

i run the uv every night just after the lights go out for 8 hours.

i am hoping the ei dosing will be the cure. but any input would help.

orlando, this is steve. ill get more pictures for u later.

AquaZilla · 10-07-2009, 09:49 AM

co2 and nutrients... I would guess your light level was to high,not enough co2 in the water followed by not enough plant food.

mos901 · 10-07-2009, 09:54 AM

why does the algae only form on the sides where the light hits?

do you think i should still add phosphates?

AquaZilla · 10-07-2009, 10:24 AM

Algae takes foot hold where ever it can. Its an imbalance of light,co2,nutrients..

hydrophyte · 10-07-2009, 12:33 PM

I agree that your plants need more ferts. You should see a response pretty soon from the EI dosing. That's quite a bit of light. Does the fixture still work if you remove one or more lamps, or can you switch them independently.

mos901 · 10-07-2009, 12:57 PM

originally this light came with 2 10000k's in the front and 2 actinics in the rear with separate switches. you can run just 1 set if you like but it has to be the front only for the fans to run.

so yea i can run just 200watts of the 400watts. that is what im doing now.
200watts for 6 hours a day to start.

AquaZilla · 10-07-2009, 01:30 PM

Ditch the Actinics

! If you have not already. "Edit"I think I see you have 67K!

mos901 · 10-07-2009, 02:54 PM

maybe cause the lack of ferts is why my micro swords are growing so slow. i figured it wouldve covered the whole bottom by now.

AquaZilla · 10-07-2009, 02:59 PM

Micro swords are naturally slow growing. Any problems you are currently having are due to the imbalances you currently are facing

mos901 · 10-12-2009, 09:11 PM

how can i tell if i need to go with a longer photo period? right now at 6 hour 200 watts. i hate to turn it up if i dont need to.

plants starting to look better after a week.

10-07-2009, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	co2 and nutrients... I would guess your light level was to high,not enough co2 in the water followed by not enough plant food. __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-07-2009, 10:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Algae takes foot hold where ever it can. Its an imbalance of light,co2,nutrients.. __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-07-2009, 12:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
hydrophyte Planted Tank Guru Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 448	I agree that your plants need more ferts. You should see a response pretty soon from the EI dosing. That's quite a bit of light. Does the fixture still work if you remove one or more lamps, or can you switch them independently. __________________ Hydrophyte

10-07-2009, 01:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Ditch the Actinics! If you have not already. "Edit"I think I see you have 67K! __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-07-2009, 02:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Micro swords are naturally slow growing. Any problems you are currently having are due to the imbalances you currently are facing __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-07-2009, 09:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
mos901 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	why does the algae only form on the sides where the light hits? do you think i should still add phosphates?

10-07-2009, 12:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
mos901 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	originally this light came with 2 10000k's in the front and 2 actinics in the rear with separate switches. you can run just 1 set if you like but it has to be the front only for the fans to run. so yea i can run just 200watts of the 400watts. that is what im doing now. 200watts for 6 hours a day to start.

10-07-2009, 02:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
mos901 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	maybe cause the lack of ferts is why my micro swords are growing so slow. i figured it wouldve covered the whole bottom by now.

10-12-2009, 09:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
mos901 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	how can i tell if i need to go with a longer photo period? right now at 6 hour 200 watts. i hate to turn it up if i dont need to. plants starting to look better after a week.

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