Post by nocturnalflower on Feb 8, 2020 1:08:02 GMT -5
"Ah, this could have been a part of the problem. DIY Yeast is ok for smaller tanks, the problem being it is horribly inconsistent, believe it or not, inconsistent CO2 Levels can contribute to algae. Algae is an opportunist."
------ Agreed!
"Your Photoperiod is fine but the whole Window thing may be also helping fuel the algae. Technically you are getting indirect light + photoperiod. How long does the light hit the tank?"
------ No light hitting the tank directly, but the light in the room matches daylight hours. Well actually, maybe the light does hit for a few hours... Hard to say. Depends on who has moved the drapes, lol.
"Pressurized CO2 is a start, but a piece of a larger puzzle. Possibly all that dead matter would have spiked things for a little while. When was the last time you cleaned your filtration?"
------ That's exactly what I am thinking. I cleaned the filtration last month, but I'm going to clean it again, as it is probably polluted with dead plant matter still.
"Specialised Nutrition contains nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Dosage must therefore be adapted to plant absorption rates, to avoid undesirable algae growth. Where signs of algae growth develop, reduce the dosage by 50% and increase water changing frequency by 50%. Changing the water not only reduces the concentration of nutrients in the water, but also removes algae spores, remnants and other accumulated elements from the aquarium water.
Right from Tropica themselves. Did you ever see this about the dosing?"
------ I'm not using Specialized Nutrition. I'm using Premium Nutrition. It does not contain the extra N and P.
"Excel is an essentially an Algaecide. I use it Monday through Friday. It melts Vals and Marimo Balls (technically algae balls). If your plants were melting with Excel dosing, I believe they were on the way out already. Which plants melted?"
------ Styrogene Repens and sagittaria subulata.
"Awesome! Never used a drop checker, but green is good. If things are working leave it. Are the plants pearling yet?"
------ funny thing... The plants pearled with the diy, but not yet with pressurized... Strange.
"With the CO2Art, they are incredibly well worth the money you paid for it. An investment for the tank and your peace of mind."
------ I hope so. The needle valve is drifting a bit, and I'm getting a small amount of co2 continuing to flow even with the solenoid shut off. But I hear they have great customer service, so I hope they will help to resolve any technical issues.
"Yes, quiet is king. Something I'll never skimp on. I'm going to ask a silly question, how large is the tank in gallons? I can't seem to find where you mentioned the total gallons."
------ It's 29 gallons
"One more thing, are you using Tap Water? If so, this is definitely fueling your problem. The water around this area is high in Phosphates."
------ Yes I am using tap water. Have you tested the phosphate levels? My test shows low readings, but I know these tests can be unreliable.
"Angel eating the new growth is not surprising. Can you place the cuttings somewhere else to grow out a bit before replanting? This might help things out if you give some of the plants a chance to grow. The Hygrophila especially. Frogbit is a surprisingly good nutrient sink as well. Easier to remove as well, not like it's evil cousin Duckweed (definitely do not ever put this in your tank)."
------ I do have a good place to grow out cuttings because I also grow microgreens and have a large setup for this and hydroponic growing. I could throw some aquatic plants under the lights. Funny - the angel actually leaves the hygrophila alone.
"Lord knows how many nice Blyxa daughter plants I throw away on a weekly basis or be overrun. Sadly, your Angel would mow it down to nubs and eventually kill it."
------ can't hurt to try! Could you bring me some on Sunday?
.... Aw geeze, It's late! I could go on, but I'll stop here! Thanks for all the tips and advice so far!
------ Agreed!
"Your Photoperiod is fine but the whole Window thing may be also helping fuel the algae. Technically you are getting indirect light + photoperiod. How long does the light hit the tank?"
------ No light hitting the tank directly, but the light in the room matches daylight hours. Well actually, maybe the light does hit for a few hours... Hard to say. Depends on who has moved the drapes, lol.
"Pressurized CO2 is a start, but a piece of a larger puzzle. Possibly all that dead matter would have spiked things for a little while. When was the last time you cleaned your filtration?"
------ That's exactly what I am thinking. I cleaned the filtration last month, but I'm going to clean it again, as it is probably polluted with dead plant matter still.
"Specialised Nutrition contains nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Dosage must therefore be adapted to plant absorption rates, to avoid undesirable algae growth. Where signs of algae growth develop, reduce the dosage by 50% and increase water changing frequency by 50%. Changing the water not only reduces the concentration of nutrients in the water, but also removes algae spores, remnants and other accumulated elements from the aquarium water.
Right from Tropica themselves. Did you ever see this about the dosing?"
------ I'm not using Specialized Nutrition. I'm using Premium Nutrition. It does not contain the extra N and P.
"Excel is an essentially an Algaecide. I use it Monday through Friday. It melts Vals and Marimo Balls (technically algae balls). If your plants were melting with Excel dosing, I believe they were on the way out already. Which plants melted?"
------ Styrogene Repens and sagittaria subulata.
"Awesome! Never used a drop checker, but green is good. If things are working leave it. Are the plants pearling yet?"
------ funny thing... The plants pearled with the diy, but not yet with pressurized... Strange.
"With the CO2Art, they are incredibly well worth the money you paid for it. An investment for the tank and your peace of mind."
------ I hope so. The needle valve is drifting a bit, and I'm getting a small amount of co2 continuing to flow even with the solenoid shut off. But I hear they have great customer service, so I hope they will help to resolve any technical issues.
"Yes, quiet is king. Something I'll never skimp on. I'm going to ask a silly question, how large is the tank in gallons? I can't seem to find where you mentioned the total gallons."
------ It's 29 gallons
"One more thing, are you using Tap Water? If so, this is definitely fueling your problem. The water around this area is high in Phosphates."
------ Yes I am using tap water. Have you tested the phosphate levels? My test shows low readings, but I know these tests can be unreliable.
"Angel eating the new growth is not surprising. Can you place the cuttings somewhere else to grow out a bit before replanting? This might help things out if you give some of the plants a chance to grow. The Hygrophila especially. Frogbit is a surprisingly good nutrient sink as well. Easier to remove as well, not like it's evil cousin Duckweed (definitely do not ever put this in your tank)."
------ I do have a good place to grow out cuttings because I also grow microgreens and have a large setup for this and hydroponic growing. I could throw some aquatic plants under the lights. Funny - the angel actually leaves the hygrophila alone.
"Lord knows how many nice Blyxa daughter plants I throw away on a weekly basis or be overrun. Sadly, your Angel would mow it down to nubs and eventually kill it."
------ can't hurt to try! Could you bring me some on Sunday?
.... Aw geeze, It's late! I could go on, but I'll stop here! Thanks for all the tips and advice so far!