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6 Posts
Hello, all. I am new to this site and...well...while I'm not a grizzled old pro with tanks, I know a little bit, but I'm having a problem with my planted tank.
I have a normal 55 gallon tank. The substrate is 50% flourite, 50% inert black gravel. Tank decorations are three largish pieces of driftwood and a chunk of what looks like volcanic rock. These were purchased at reputable fish stores, not picked up at my local lake. *wink* The lighting is...well...I forget the brand name. It says 'GLO' on the light. It is a 110 watt light which provides roughly two watts per gallon. Plants in the tank are Anubias, Java Fern, two young amazon swords and a couple of other things that I forget the name of...and the sad remnants of some water wisteria that didn't make it. The tank has an Aquaclear filter with only sponge in it, rated for a 75 gallon tank.
It's a populated tank, and probably overpopulated, I'm sure. I have neons, a few cherry barbs, several sword tails, a few of which I will probably be putting up on Craig's list soon as they like to breed, of course, a couple of cory cats, a couple of dojo loaches and one young pleco.
Here's the problem. Water clarity, ammonia, and nitrite are pristine. The nitrate levels are acceptable for the most part, although I could stand to stay on top of the water changes better. However, I have fuzzy plants. I have algae growing all over my plants and I'm not sure what to do about it. The pleco takes care of the algae on the walls of the tank and is a fat, happy little sucker. Now, I am thinking it is one of two things, or maybe both, but I'd like some advice from those smarter and more versed in these things than I.
I think, first of all, that I might need CO2 for the plants I'm keeping and the amount of light I have. I went with two watts per gallon intending to keep medium to lower light plants, trying to avoid having to do CO2, but if it is needed I can look into getting something. The other possiblity is that there just may be too much nutrients in the tank from fish waste, maybe too much flourite, not enough water change, etc.
Any advice would be welcome. I'm moving soon and thinking about redoing some of the stuff in the tank, as well as putting myself on a stricter regime for water changes. I'd also like some advice on what can be kept in a tank with two watts per gallon plant wise. I love water wisteria, but I'm obviously doing something wrong as it never survives long. *sigh*
Thanks all, and especially for anyone willing to read my incredibly long post.
I have a normal 55 gallon tank. The substrate is 50% flourite, 50% inert black gravel. Tank decorations are three largish pieces of driftwood and a chunk of what looks like volcanic rock. These were purchased at reputable fish stores, not picked up at my local lake. *wink* The lighting is...well...I forget the brand name. It says 'GLO' on the light. It is a 110 watt light which provides roughly two watts per gallon. Plants in the tank are Anubias, Java Fern, two young amazon swords and a couple of other things that I forget the name of...and the sad remnants of some water wisteria that didn't make it. The tank has an Aquaclear filter with only sponge in it, rated for a 75 gallon tank.
It's a populated tank, and probably overpopulated, I'm sure. I have neons, a few cherry barbs, several sword tails, a few of which I will probably be putting up on Craig's list soon as they like to breed, of course, a couple of cory cats, a couple of dojo loaches and one young pleco.
Here's the problem. Water clarity, ammonia, and nitrite are pristine. The nitrate levels are acceptable for the most part, although I could stand to stay on top of the water changes better. However, I have fuzzy plants. I have algae growing all over my plants and I'm not sure what to do about it. The pleco takes care of the algae on the walls of the tank and is a fat, happy little sucker. Now, I am thinking it is one of two things, or maybe both, but I'd like some advice from those smarter and more versed in these things than I.
I think, first of all, that I might need CO2 for the plants I'm keeping and the amount of light I have. I went with two watts per gallon intending to keep medium to lower light plants, trying to avoid having to do CO2, but if it is needed I can look into getting something. The other possiblity is that there just may be too much nutrients in the tank from fish waste, maybe too much flourite, not enough water change, etc.
Any advice would be welcome. I'm moving soon and thinking about redoing some of the stuff in the tank, as well as putting myself on a stricter regime for water changes. I'd also like some advice on what can be kept in a tank with two watts per gallon plant wise. I love water wisteria, but I'm obviously doing something wrong as it never survives long. *sigh*
Thanks all, and especially for anyone willing to read my incredibly long post.