All Right, so I've got a couple of questions that I hope you guys can help me out with.
Little background. I have a 29 gallon tank, and decided to get into plants. Started with java moss, java fern, and some anacharis. They were doing horrible with stock lighting. I upgraded to a compact @ 65W. I then started some DIY CO2,and started adding some Flourish Trace, because I was under the impression that if I didn't I would have a ton of alge. I then got some Wisteria as well, and some root tabs for it (I just have regular gravel right now).
I have had some alge issues from the start, just on the leaves, and glass. It doesn't take long for new growth to become covered. The plants were growing decent, but they would allways get covered in alge, and look horrible. So, last weekend I decided to remove all of the alge covered leaves.
Now, the alge is starting to come back allready, and the Wisteria is getting many holes in it's leaves and looks horrible. I believe this is do to a potassium defficiancy?
My big question is do I need to start dosing ferts, I would rather just have some slow growth, with no ferts, and no alge. I really don't want to start worrying about dosing something every day. I like the look of real plants, but I just don't want it to be that involved.
Before last water change:
Amonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=5
PH=7.6
I don't have a test kit for GH/KH, or potassium yet, although it sounds like I should for a planted tank.
8 endler's, and some fry
8 neons
3 catfish
3 Ottos
1 Pleco, which is probably going to get downgraded to the 10, as he is picking on my Catfish.
All advice would be appreciated.
Thanks-
Little background. I have a 29 gallon tank, and decided to get into plants. Started with java moss, java fern, and some anacharis. They were doing horrible with stock lighting. I upgraded to a compact @ 65W. I then started some DIY CO2,and started adding some Flourish Trace, because I was under the impression that if I didn't I would have a ton of alge. I then got some Wisteria as well, and some root tabs for it (I just have regular gravel right now).
I have had some alge issues from the start, just on the leaves, and glass. It doesn't take long for new growth to become covered. The plants were growing decent, but they would allways get covered in alge, and look horrible. So, last weekend I decided to remove all of the alge covered leaves.
Now, the alge is starting to come back allready, and the Wisteria is getting many holes in it's leaves and looks horrible. I believe this is do to a potassium defficiancy?
My big question is do I need to start dosing ferts, I would rather just have some slow growth, with no ferts, and no alge. I really don't want to start worrying about dosing something every day. I like the look of real plants, but I just don't want it to be that involved.
Before last water change:
Amonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=5
PH=7.6
I don't have a test kit for GH/KH, or potassium yet, although it sounds like I should for a planted tank.
8 endler's, and some fry
8 neons
3 catfish
3 Ottos
1 Pleco, which is probably going to get downgraded to the 10, as he is picking on my Catfish.
All advice would be appreciated.
Thanks-
hosphate ratio of ~8:1 or 10:1 (someone correct me if I'm mistaken). Also, is the plant you have water wisteria (Hygrophila difformis) or water sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)? The latter is a fern, which is easy to spot from its curly new fronds, and makes an excellent nutrient sponge.