Hey everyone,
I'm soliciting suggestions for what I should do with my tank. I have developed a green spot algae problem rather significantly in the last week or so. It's not much on the glass, but it's covering the bulk of my plants (my amazon swords, in particular) and the larger ornamental rocks in the substrate. I've heard mixed things on phosphate, including that phosphate depletion can be a cause of GSA. I picked up a phosphate test kit tonight, however, and noted that my levels were at 1 mg/L.
I also have a bit of the black beard algae-- maybe two or three very small patches.
Aside from the algae, I notice some small holes in the leaves of my plants, that seem indicative of a deficiency (as opposed to being munched).
Here's what I can tell you about the tank itself (let me know if I forget anything): It's just shy of a year old (has been planted since the beginning). I'm using DIY CO2 with a diffuser rated for a 30 gallon. My C02 drop checker tells me that my levels are in the 30ppm range; that's with a pH of 7.2 and KH of 2. I use the Flourish Seachem Tabs in my substrate (just regular gravel, nothing special, with two tabs spaced apart). Oh, and the regular ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels are 0/0/0 (my tank has enough plants that my nitrates seem to stay at 0). My lighting is <1WPG (I've got the standard 15W in my 20G hood), though my apartment is very, very bright, for what it's worth.
Should I be testing for more trace elements to see what I'm short? And/or take a more controlled approach to fertilizing, rather than just the tabs? Or am I simply doomed because of my low light situation? I'm planning on a DIY retro-kit for the tank as my summer project.
Thx for your thoughts!
I'm soliciting suggestions for what I should do with my tank. I have developed a green spot algae problem rather significantly in the last week or so. It's not much on the glass, but it's covering the bulk of my plants (my amazon swords, in particular) and the larger ornamental rocks in the substrate. I've heard mixed things on phosphate, including that phosphate depletion can be a cause of GSA. I picked up a phosphate test kit tonight, however, and noted that my levels were at 1 mg/L.
I also have a bit of the black beard algae-- maybe two or three very small patches.
Aside from the algae, I notice some small holes in the leaves of my plants, that seem indicative of a deficiency (as opposed to being munched).
Here's what I can tell you about the tank itself (let me know if I forget anything): It's just shy of a year old (has been planted since the beginning). I'm using DIY CO2 with a diffuser rated for a 30 gallon. My C02 drop checker tells me that my levels are in the 30ppm range; that's with a pH of 7.2 and KH of 2. I use the Flourish Seachem Tabs in my substrate (just regular gravel, nothing special, with two tabs spaced apart). Oh, and the regular ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels are 0/0/0 (my tank has enough plants that my nitrates seem to stay at 0). My lighting is <1WPG (I've got the standard 15W in my 20G hood), though my apartment is very, very bright, for what it's worth.
Should I be testing for more trace elements to see what I'm short? And/or take a more controlled approach to fertilizing, rather than just the tabs? Or am I simply doomed because of my low light situation? I'm planning on a DIY retro-kit for the tank as my summer project.
Thx for your thoughts!
