There you go... aquarium plants fertilizers rarely contain nitrates. You don't even have a densely planted tank so you are basically feeding the algae with most of the fertilizer when you say you dose "quite a bit".. nitrogen comes before the trace elements.I have always had trouble getting higher nitrates than 10 (and it was even rare to get them up to that) in this tank. But I dose quite a bit of fertilizers...
Did you aerate the sample and let it sit for a day before testing? Water utilities typically don't want their water below 7 because of corrosion issues. Test it again... When you use CO2 you really need both a pH and KH testkit to see where you're aiming at.My pH is 6.4 out the tap, but I also run CO2 and have tons of tannins in the water so it's likely much lower. I've never noticed any issues from anyone though, even my nerite's shell looks perfect. I've never tested for GH, KH, or phosphate so I'm not sure about those.
Very interesting, thank you for all of your help! How would I go about making my own fertilizers? It's just odd because before this, I've never had any algae issues and my plants grew like crazy with the same routine. I was having to trim my cabomba halfway every 3-4 days because it would grow to the top of the tank and curl over. It was crazy. Even my baby java ferns would pearl, and were growing relatively fast for java ferns (then I got lazy... never gonna happen again. you live and you learn, and I DEFINITELY learned my lesson.)There you go... aquarium plants fertilizers rarely contain nitrates. You don't even have a densely planted tank so you are basically feeding the algae with most of the fertilizer when you say you dose "quite a bit".. nitrogen comes before the trace elements.
Like many plant people, make your own fertilizer with KNO3, and use a nitrate testkit to get the level about 10ppm. The trace element fertilizers come last, and you will see you will need very little of that.
Did you aerate the sample and let it sit for a day before testing? Water utilities typically don't want their water below 7 because of corrosion issues. Test it again... When you use CO2 you really need both a pH and KH testkit to see where you're aiming at.
For GH you can just call the water utility and ask, or look at their site, in most cases a GH testkit is not required.
That is exactly rightnot sure if co2 will get rid of the cyano directly, it's not an algae, but bacteria. But co2 will encourage the plants to grow better and use up the nutrients before cyano can.
You are getting good advice from Loach, but I just had to say not sure if co2 will get rid of the cyano directly, it's not an algae, but bacteria. But co2 will encourage the plants to grow better and use up the nutrients before cyano can.
Also I noticed a big improvement when I added floating plants, particularly water lettuce because my tanks are so large. But sylvinia or frogbit would be a nice floating plant for you. Or floating wisteria or water Sprite if your water is harder. Sorry haven't got all the info my head yet.
Thank you for all the help, you guys. This is super helpful. I know it's not an algae, but my laziness did put a halt to how well the plants were growing and I'm sure the constant fluctuation in (and ultimately lack of) CO2 did some damage to plant growth too.There is no use or need to tear everything down. Did the shrimp and rasboras die before or after the Co2?
Water conditions can change over time, and when you're adding CO2, certainly in a small tank like yours, you really have to keep track what you are adding by checking KH and pH (at the same time of day even, as pH will fluctuate).
When the nitrate/phosphate ratio is off this will promote algae growth, with or without CO2.
You can get KNO3 like this https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/potassium-nitrate-kno3-1lb-jar.html
It's just a matter of dissolving certain amounts in water. Of course you could look for pre mixed KNO3 fertilizer as well, or go to a farm store put on your best smile and ask if you can get a couple of spoons of the stuff for your aquarium, if they have an open bag they'll give it for free.
You will need to test NO3 as well to maintain the right level.
That is exactly right