just got eco-complete. now what?

[BadRoma1]

i had very bad algae problem. then i added more light and got different kind of algae from what i had before. so i changes my sand from regular light in weight sand to eco-complete. i'm hoping it will help with algae. but do i need to add all the stuff into the waterthat i used to add or do i wait untill eco-complete will not be as new? i used to add different liquid plant food like iron and minerals

 

[Aquabum]

1st off, having a different substrate will not help get rid of your algae problems. You'll get the same algae or something worse. Not to sound negative on you, but please don't be misled by this.

No doubt that Eco will probably help give your plants a bit of a boost, but honestly, almost if not all stem plants will get their nutrition from the water column. I see no reason to get a special substrate as long as you dose sufficient nutrients from the following: No3, K, Po4, and traces (macros, and micros).

My plants do very well with regular dosing. I have no special substrate. I have regular gravel, and my plants are very happy and growing like mad. Yes, I have some algae in my tank, but it's under control. Balancing your tank will be a bit tricky in the beginning, but once you have the hang of it, you'll be greatly rewarded.

You should take into consideration that light, nutrients, and co2 play a big role in growing aquatic plants and to keep algae at bay.

How big is your tank? How much light are your plants getting? Do you dose macros and traces? Fish load? Please give us more info so that we may help you. A picture of the algae in question would be very helpful.

 

[BadRoma1]

o.k. i have more fish that i should in my 55 allon standart tank. i could have more plants, but i just got better lighting. i used to have very dark green algae, and some black, and some rusty looking spots. but since i got more light, 2 bulbs of flourecent 32 watts each, and one 40 watts flourecent, the fish has been almost invisible behind green algae covered walls. i don't doze CO2, because i don't understand it, no metter how much i can find out about it, i fear i'll kill my fish with it. but anyway, i always add flourish, micros, potassium, but with more light and all the stuff algae grows like nuts. it comes off easy, but very thick. i have two anubias and few other plants that i don't know what they are. one of the plants started growing lots of leaves since i got more lights. before i got the lights those plants weren't dieing, but weren't growing or having lots of leaves, and those that were comming out were black. well, that's about all. i'm thinking not to add anything for a while with eco-complete untill i have more plants. i was hoping that eco can absorb nutrients out of the water and deliver it to the plants through the roots.

 

[Aquabum]

Planting heavily from the start is a good idea. Please do a lot of searching regarding the type of algae that you have.

Don't be afraid to add co2 to your tank. Co2 can help your plants, and in turn help your fish. Unless your fish are gasping, you shouldn't have any problems with co2. You can start out slowly, but watch your fish.

Like I said, do a lot of research. When you add more light, you have to consider co2. There's no way around this. Otherwise, you'll be growing algae instead of your plants. Just something to think about.

 

[BadRoma1]

i'm thinking about killing the light a little. i'll turn one bulb off. the algae is just green algae that doesn't cause green water. i think the algae i because of high nitrates that i've been having, and when i add stuff for the plants, i feed algae even more.