what does "establishing" plants really mean?

[TomFromStLouis]

I have read several posts and Krib pages that talk about heavily planted new tanks, algae blooms and waiting until plants "establish themselves" to help fend off algae. Since I am going through this very moment now with my 75 gallon 220 watt tank, I wonder what this really means.

I mean, my plants are pearling like crazy (yes I am injecting CO2) and some of the stem plants have added a couple inches in a week. Some that I planted have grown 3 inch roots in the same time, yet green water and algae on the glass is becoming a major issue here in week two of the tank's existence. I have not added any ferts - does "established" mean they have grown enough to need ferts? I have cut back my lighting to 8-9 hours (from 12) and hope that the 3 SAEs and 6 Amano shrimps coming tomorrow can make a dent in the algae growth. Any thoughts to help?

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif

Wish I could "see" the tank... Where did you order the shrimp and SAE's?

There's something 'off balance', but I'm not sure what it is...

What may seem to be heavily planted, around 80%, may not be to others.

[djlen]

Yes, you need to start adding ferts. You are only adding carbonic acid(carbon) at this point. K,N,P, and Traces are necessary to balance the good light and CO2 you already have.
"Established" merely means plants in the substrate and growing. You are well into that phase, and algae will be a problem without adding the elements above.
Do you have them yet? If not do you know where to get them?
Use the search button(upper right of the page). Type in nutrients or fertilizer and you'll find out how much to dose and pretty much everything you'll need to know on the subject.
Any further questions, all of us are willing to help if we can.
Len

[Skittyfish]

Definitaly need to add ferts. When I finally got it all going, my plants grew like crazy. I have something off too, as I now have green thread algae growing. It is just a guessing game until you get it right.

[djlen]

Your tank is still in the "new" stage Skitty. Until the plants "take over" the tank it's susceptible to minor algae out breaks. You can help maintain a balance with an extra water change here and there til the plants rule.
Len

[TomFromStLouis]

Thanks Len and Joe and Skitty. I have some Seachem Flourish and will begin dosing. If I recall correctly, Flourish provides the major ferts so I'll need to read up on trace ferts.

My plants are almost all fast growing stem plants and I will be filling the remaining 20% of plant space as soon as my plants arrive.

Stay tuned! No doubt you will be hearing from me again!

[carpguy]

Originally posted by TomFromStLouis
If I recall correctly, Flourish provides the major ferts so I'll need to read up on trace ferts.

Scratch that, reverse it: Flourish provides traces. Good sauce.

Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are the macros (and CO2, natcherly). Seachem has started a macro line. Many folks go DIY for the macros: fish food, NuSalt, Stump Remover, and, um… er… Fleet enemas. The board is littered with the stuff.