I KILL PLANT"S . . . help me plz

Arkangel77

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Aug 13, 2006
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:1zhelp:
I cant keep any plants in my 180 Discus tank. I have swapped over to T5 lights and installed a Griggs CO2 injection system. I just got in my Dry Firts which I haven't started to add yet HOWEVER. My Plants keep wilting and dying. They just fall apart! They have in doing this for a while even before I added the upgrades I just mentioned. PS - I was using liquid ferts until now. I do change a lot of water often But gesh! I am going nuts. I just got plants from snoopy and they are dying. They were perfect when I got them! Pennyworth died in like 2 days, giant vale is fadding fast! I am going NUTZZZZ! :irked:

I have a 75G that I dont do anything to and the plants thrive. 75 has junk lights, gets no ferts and neglected as far as water changes goes. I just throw plant scraps in there and they grow fine! I don't get it. The 180 gets all my attention and I cant keep any plants alive?!?!?!?!? The fish do great in both tanks. The 75 has EBJD's in it.:jaw-dropping:

Both Tanks have Wet/Dry sump filters. The thing I can say for sure is the CO2 lvl in the 180 is LOW. Even with the co2 system its still low. The little tester is BRIGHT/Deep Blue which is way low. Could it be a lack of CO2 causing these problems in the 180? I have a manifold and could add more reactors to the 180 to try and increase the CO2 but does that sound like its even a possibility?:huh:

PLEASE help me figure this out, any input is welcome! Thanks, Arkangel77

:1zhelp:
 
I wish I could help, Ark, but I don't do anything special for my plants. 1.5 wpg of T12 lighting, no ferts, no co2, no nothing....just trim. How deep is the tank? I know when I had my hex that was 28" deep I could not get anything but anubias to stay alive in the bottom of that tank....the light couldn't go that deep I guess.
 
Maybe try root tabs, with all the water changes higher temp discus get it might make it harder on plants. My water is too soft I think for vals. Don't wet/drys offgas all the CO2? Never had 1.
 
How deep is the tank? I know when I had my hex that was 28" deep I could not get anything but anubias to stay alive in the bottom of that tank....the light couldn't go that deep I guess.

It is like 30" tall but thats why I went with the t5 lights and they are INTENSE!!!!!!! My Anubias seem to do OK?

Don't wet/drys offgas all the CO2? Never had 1.

Yes I understand that they do - However the 75 does fine and the 180 has a CO2 system.

I upgraded the lights to help try and overcome the depth issue and added a CO2 system to oercome the off gassing. I am just stumped! I guess I could just stock it with like 50 Anubias and forget about anything else. The Only thing I have gotten out of my new equipment Investments is lots of Alge growth that I never had before! YAY:cry::cry::cry::cry:
 
Turn up the CO2. Start dosing EI.

I had planned on adding More CO2 and I need to start using all the Dry Firts I got last week. Thanks for the Tip. Arkangel77
 
whats the wattage on the t5 ? just bc its a t5 doesnt mean anything.. just means a step up from flourescent bulbs.
 
whats the wattage on the t5 ? just bc its a t5 doesnt mean anything.. just means a step up from flourescent bulbs.

I have 2 of these mounted in my hood.
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_7_68&products_id=1126
They are 59" long & cover the entire tank and be Doubled - side by side for about 50" in the center with 10" on each end with only 2 bulbs instead of 4. Total output is 320 Watts of light.

You can read my Light thread and see pics in this thread - Just skip to the last few pages.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204652
 
The sump is causing off gassing of Co2, you need to up the amount of Co2 or figure out a way of reducing water splash in your sump. Try asking questions over at TPT about making your sump more Co2 friendly. I know I have seen a few threads about this very subject over there.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/
 
I agree the sump is an Issue but NO idea why its not an Issue in the 75? I have every intention of trying to up the CO2 addition tomarow. I have 1 reaction chamber now - I am going to max it out and also add co2 into both return pumps. I need to install a standpipe to help reduce Off Gassing also. ALL that is in the works. Do you guys think its just as simple as adding more co2?



Thanks, Arkangell
 
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