Issues

E

exian

AC Members
Jul 25, 2009
14
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Las Vegas, NV USA
www.aquariacentral.com
So I've setup my tank and i'm having a few issues that I'm unsure of what i should do to resolve them. The primary issue i'm having is that I have diatoms all over the place and my 2 otto's 5 amano and 5 cherry shrimp don't see to be helping at alll. I setup a DIY c02 and fed it into a fluval 304 I had laying around (i used all bio media in the fluval) which is additional filtration on top of the emperor 400 I initially setup with the tank. Is my lighting the culprit? The only plants I have that look completely healthy are my anubias the vals, ludwigia specie(s), flame moss and indica all look rough to half dead. I have a current 96w with the 10k/acitinic bulb and my tank is only 37 gallons. I used 3 bags of eco complete when I started the tank and am wondering If i should use some Flourish or other fertilizers. Any suggestions? :confused:
 
just wipe the diatoms off the leaves and glass, this is common with new tanks and will go away eventauly.
 
:iagree:

But, I think the main problem with your plants is lack of fertilizers. You've got a lot of light (even though some of it is unusable) and nothing for the plants to eat. Either tone down your lights or start a good fert dosing regimen. I suggest you look at the EI method of dosing, it's the easiest route.
 
If you just set up the tank diatoms are normal and will go away on their own. They may kill some plants before that happens - but it will happen. I have found that adding a phosphate absorbing resin to the filter during the first few weeks can help with diatoms. I also found out that nerite snails eat diatoms, but they're kind of hard to find in some areas. Lots of people on this forum sell them.

Other potential problems I see - I would get rid of the blue bulb and replace it with a daylight bulb. No sense in wasting the potential. If you're not already doing it I would also start measuring the amount of CO2 in the tank. I always have problems keeping DIY set ups steady - and that can cause algae. And I would also start dosing ferts.
 
Dr. Awkward said:
If you just set up the tank diatoms are normal and will go away on their own. They may kill some plants before that happens - but it will happen. I have found that adding a phosphate absorbing resin to the filter during the first few weeks can help with diatoms. I also found out that nerite snails eat diatoms, but they're kind of hard to find in some areas. Lots of people on this forum sell them.

Other potential problems I see - I would get rid of the blue bulb and replace it with a daylight bulb. No sense in wasting the potential. If you're not already doing it I would also start measuring the amount of CO2 in the tank. I always have problems keeping DIY set ups steady - and that can cause algae. And I would also start dosing ferts.
Click to expand...
I just won some nerites on aquabid today so those should help some. As far as the bulb goes anyone have any suggestions on replacement current 36" bulbs online?
 
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