Should I just re-do my entire substrate?

A. Nonymous

A. Nonymous

AC Members
Feb 4, 2008
499
0
0
This is my 3rd time trying to rehab this tank. The first time I went planted I failed because (I was told) I didn't have pressurized CO2 and my substrate was wrong. I added pressurized CO2, ferts and a completely new susbrate and the tank failed again. It's overrun with algae and duckweed. I've taken steps to remove the duckweed, but after researching, it looks like the problem with the algae was that there is a ton of detritus trapped in the substrate (Turface is what I'm using). There are tons and tons of detritus. The tank is a 75G just stirring a small corner kicked up a ton of crap into the water column and coated half the tank. Clearly, this is contributing to my algae. I'm wondering if I should just get rid of the substrate and replace it. The question is, replace it with what? I really, really want this tank to succeed.

Tank is a 75g
Light is a 150 w CF
I've got a pressurized CO2 system and an in-line CO2 diffuser

I plan on adding another light. All I want is a nice planted tank w/7-8 schools of tetras. Is this too much to ask? Do I need to replace this substrate? If so, what should I replace it with? I'm thinking I should as it appears to just be trapping fish waste in it. It's difficult to vacuum because if you put the vacuum in it, it sucks up the substrate as well as the dirt. Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
What filters are you running?
Do you have a drop checker?
What fert method are you currently using?
Most important, what is you photo period?
 
mott said:
What filters are you running?
Do you have a drop checker?
What fert method are you currently using?
Most important, what is you photo period?
Click to expand...

Rena XP3
Yes
EI method
Photo period?? What's that??

This tank has been up and running for 2-3 years now. It seems like every year I have to re-do it though.
 
jpappy789 said:
photoperiod = how long the lights are on per day.

Which plants are you trying to grow?
How often are you vacuuming?
Click to expand...

12 hours a day.
I vacuum when I clean the tank which is once a week to once every other week. I think the detritus is getting down deep into the substrate. Maybe a DSB is the solution, but I don't know that you can do that in a freshwater tank.
 
A. Nonymous said:
12 hours a day.
I vacuum when I clean the tank which is once a week to once every other week. I think the detritus is getting down deep into the substrate. Maybe a DSB is the solution, but I don't know that you can do that in a freshwater tank.
Click to expand...


There is your problem I bet, I used to run mine for 10h a day always had BBA and GSA.

I cut the light down to 7 hours and the algae has just about completely disappeared.

It didn't happen over night tho, it took a good month or so to notice the change. Be patient that's key!
 
mott said:
There is your problem I bet, I used to run mine for 10h a day always had BBA and GSA.

I cut the light down to 7 hours and the algae has just about completely disappeared.

It didn't happen over night tho, it took a good month or so to notice the change. Be patient that's key!
Click to expand...

I am about 90% positive that my algae problem is somehow related to all the detritus in the substrate. There's no way I can have a nutrient bed that thick and it not affect algae. At least not IMO. Maybe I'm missing something?

I'm thinking that 110 W on a 75 g tank powered by pressurized CO2 is not enough light. That doesn't quite give the plants enough to grow with. Couple that with an ultra-rich bed of nutrients in the substrate and you've got a recipe for an algae bloom that smothers all the plants. Am I missing something somewhere?
 
A. Nonymous said:
I am about 90% positive that my algae problem is somehow related to all the detritus in the substrate. There's no way I can have a nutrient bed that thick and it not affect algae. At least not IMO. Maybe I'm missing something?

I'm thinking that 110 W on a 75 g tank powered by pressurized CO2 is not enough light. That doesn't quite give the plants enough to grow with. Couple that with an ultra-rich bed of nutrients in the substrate and you've got a recipe for an algae bloom that smothers all the plants. Am I missing something somewhere?
Click to expand...


That long photoperiod is the problem, I like 8 or 8.5hrs at the max, ime. But think about this, if the detritus and nutrients are under the substrate, the algae cannot use them either. I have seen algae outbreaks from pulling up plants and releasing nutrients into the water column though. Also, how much food are you feeding the fish, where your tank builds up that much detritus.
 
what are the results of a recent water test? ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.

your algae doesnt seem to be a problem from stuff being in the substrate it sounds like it is from too long of a photo period with swings in co2 levels.

a 75 gallon tank, 2wpg, co2, canister filter, EI dosing i dont see a need to add or subtract anything. just plant it and let it be. i wouldnt vac that substrate...just 'hover on top of it with the gravel vac' to suck thestuff off the top layer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom