Replanting....

[Mark6rules]

OK...once again, with feeling...I'm going to attempt to replant my 150. I moved last November, and ever since I set my system up, I've had nothing but problems with various algae (green hair, black brush, etc.) -- I changed my substrate from gravel to mostly laterite, with some gravel from my old setup, and that's when the algae problems started. Tell me there's no connection here, please!:confused: I only moved 3 miles, so the water parameters are identical (8.0+ pH, phosphates >3.0ppm).

I've basically licked the algae problem through zero-to-low lighting (subdued natural daylight). Now, I want to replant. Some articles I've read in Aquarium Fish and on this website and its links seem to point to overplanting, to ensure algae are kept to a minimum. I've a CO2 setup. system parameters are: steady 7.0 pH, temp 77-79, power compact lighting (4-96W units), with low KH and GH (about 3). My greatest -- and still unsolved -- problem is phosphates. I've just not been able to beat it, and I think that, more than anything, has contributed to my algae problem. If anyone has any suggestions for this problem, I'm all ears!

I'd appreciate any suggested plant types for a community setup, especially ones that are fast growers. Thanks.

Doug

[djlen]

My greatest -- and still unsolved -- problem is phosphates. I've just not been able to beat it, and I think that, more than anything, has contributed to my algae problem. If anyone has any suggestions for this problem, I'm all ears!

What do you mean by a "problem with Phosphates"?
Len

[anonapersona]

Yeah, phosphates above 3 is high. How about a phosphate remover? I see them in catalogs, but haven't ever used one myself so I can't offer any real info.

[Tempest]

I've never used laterite but I thought you were just supposed to use a smallish amount in the bottom layer.

[TomFromStLouis]

Won't a ton of fast growing stem plants suck down some phosphates? 4wpg is a lot and along with CO2 should spur nutrient sucking growth of major proportions. That's what I would try. As for water changes, I would go for relatively smaller and more frequent ones to avoid phosphate spikes.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by Tempest
I've never used laterite but I thought you were just supposed to use a smallish amount in the bottom layer. I've never used it either, and never will.

I also heard the same thing. Laterite us supposed to be fully covered by gravel.

[Jak Crow]

I've used a couple different phosphate absorbing items. Hagen's Phos-Zorb-X bags or whatever they're called doesn't seem to work as well as the resin material you can find in Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Phos Zorb pillows, which works pretty well. I noticed a decrease in the amount of algae when using it. You can buy the pillow or buy it by in a small container. Kent and Seachem also sell the same stuff in containers.

[djlen]

What are your pH and kH? It's probably not a phosphate problem but a CO2 problem. Do you have pressurized CO2(I hope)?
Do you test for phosphates? What are your findings?
Do you test for nitrates? Findings?
How heavily planted is your tank? And what types of plants?
Are you dosing any ferts at all? What kinds?
Chemicals will not help solve the problem at all. Balance will.
Len