I have not used it on algae, so I don't know how it works but it does a nice job keeping random debris off the glass. I use it a few minutes before a gravel vac.
OK don't laugh...
- Thread starter colinsk
- Start date
If this is your first attempt a a planted tank, you are way further along than I was when I started. One thing I did learn along the way was to paint with broad strokes just as you would with a terrestrial garden... fewer species, but more of them. My 29G has a Kleiner Bar, Italian Vals and Dwarf Lillis. I thin out the Vals monthly and trade hem to my LFS for store credit.
Looks fine too me, give it a month and the plants will grow in and look more "natural".
Great start
Great start
It is my first attempt at an aquarium at all. I had some very large aquariums as a child with ciclids but I was too young to understand what was going on. I remember an Oscar named "Peter". My mom says we had a 250 gallon and a 350 gallon tank. That sounds big to me but they were at least 7 to 8 feet long. We sold them to a resturant when my mom refused to do water changes anymore. I was about 6 so it was about 1971.
You've done a great job!! IMHO planted tanks are an evolutionary process. Study photos of tanks you like and try and figure out what it is that drew your attention.
What are you doing in the way of ferts and CO2?
What are you doing in the way of ferts and CO2?
I was told to keep the nitrates at 10 and the phosphates at 1.
I have a background that covers microbiology and chemistry so I have been using chemicals at hand. I used laterite in the substrate for iron. My main fertilizer is fish food.
I think the tank is carbon limited and I am using a small reservoir that has fizz tabs. I have some guesses as to what the fizz tabs are made from and when I start to run out I ill likely make my own fizz tabs. CO2 tanks are free to me so that is another option but I don't really want a CO2 tank in my daughter's room.
My guess is I can find an organic acid and chalk combination to replace the fizz tabs. I'll post a recipe if I create one.
I have a background that covers microbiology and chemistry so I have been using chemicals at hand. I used laterite in the substrate for iron. My main fertilizer is fish food.
I think the tank is carbon limited and I am using a small reservoir that has fizz tabs. I have some guesses as to what the fizz tabs are made from and when I start to run out I ill likely make my own fizz tabs. CO2 tanks are free to me so that is another option but I don't really want a CO2 tank in my daughter's room.
My guess is I can find an organic acid and chalk combination to replace the fizz tabs. I'll post a recipe if I create one.
I use the PMDD mix and add it every other day to my planted tanks. Watch your phosphates as this caused algae blooms for me. I had to dose Ca in order to get the Vals to grow -- it took a while and a lot of research to figure that one out.
