Planted Biocube 8 Journal Pt. 2

[Ambidestrian]

OK, it took me a bit to get around to it, but here are the water parameters as of 45-60 minutes after lights-off

Temp: 81.5 F - warm day today.

KH: <1 degree - If I understand the way this test works, its accuracy is compromised by dissolved CO2.

pH: 7.6

PO4: <0.25 ppm - dosed about 1ppm

NO3: 0ppm - dosed 10 ppm

Also added 0.5 mL of 0.5M K2SO4 and 0.5 mL Flourish for good measure.

These plants take up the nutes faster than I thought.

CO2 is at the same rate determined when I set up the tank; I am hesitant to adjust it even in light of the high pH reading.

 

[Ambidestrian]

Problems

1) Hair algae is growing along with the plants

2) The vals are growing way too fast

3) The stem plants and crypt on the right of the tank have this leaf-melting thing happening. I don't think the crypt will recover and the stems have never looked good. I think the vals are out-competing them. I left one of the stems so I still have the species.

I will remove the crypt and stems, trim the vals, remove as much hair algae as possible, and post a photo.

Any suggestions for hair algae-eating inhabitants for a 4 gallon tank?

 

[SubluxT7]

That is a beautiful tank!

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Stay on top of your fert dosing. Don't wait until the levels bottom out. Increase CO2 a bit and reduce/diffuse your lighting.

 

[TheFishBoss97]

for algae

amano shrimps work great

and btw, great tank

 

[Ambidestrian]

Thanks for the tips. I should probably dose ferts more often, then.

Here is a photo of the tank now. It is growing in nicely and there seems to be improvement with removal of the faltering plants.



Repeating the aforementioned fertilizer regimen, but with a double dose of Flourish and 0.5M K2SO4 - 1.0 mL of each - to see what happens with increased micros and potassium in the water column.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

I think it looks pretty good and those plants certainly are growing well. Time to trim the foreground, again.
I agree that some Amano shrimps would help out some with the hair algae. They're interesting to watch, too.

 

[Ambidestrian]

I'll definitely look into ordering some Amano shrimps when the temperatures are right - probably in a couple of weeks. It's too hot right now to risk them sitting in the mail box.

 

[Ambidestrian]

Classes and research have kept me very busy, and the tank is overgrown. I plan to trim later, after I absorb some reading material.