Help!Algae in new tank.

[AquaTX01]

wow my knowledge just quadrupled in few minutes... OK, got da CO2 part.. n think gonna take the easy route (but deff read more in to it)... saw some on ebay, gonna research more though...

fertilizer, still kinda clueless, but gonna read up more on those words. eg. CSM+B, Potassium nitrate, EI regimen... (lol)

yes, those are Dwarf Baby Tears.... I researched a lot bout how to plant those. and best solution was to leave bout 1/4 in of cotton from top, then split the bunch in 6 split, then planted them in the front of da tank. they seem doin OK, in just 1 week (did it later then other plants), they're reaching over and tryn to root on gravel. btw, i tried planting them one by one, but they keep goin straight to da top...

seriously, ur inputs are much appreciated. 1st thing, take one of da light out, 2nd, setup my Rena XP3 canister Filter, 3rd, add CO2, then 4th, fertilizer... thnx a bunch man!!!

[AquaTX01]

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

... Such chemicals include potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate. These chemicals will provide the necessary macronutrients that plants require in order to grow.....

btw, I was reading fertilizer (one's u mentioned above) wrong amount, or too much messes up waters Nitrate, Nitrite, ammonia and stuffs.... am I close, or making seance??? thnx.

[ov10pat]

Check out this for help with your algae.
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

Pat

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

btw, I was reading fertilizer (one's u mentioned above) wrong amount, or too much messes up waters Nitrate, Nitrite, ammonia and stuffs.... am I close, or making seance??? thnx.

Of course, adding the wrong doses of fertilizers can mean that your nitrates go through the roof.

For the chemicals that we use for fertilization purposes, there is no way they can increase ammonia and/or nitrite levels (at least not directly).

[plamski]

I bought Milwaukee CO2 Regulator MA957 and 5 LB aluminum cylinder. I'm reading now ferts articles and will buy them Monday. Hopefully we will learn how to use them correctly.

[AquaTX01]

Originally Posted by plamski

I bought Milwaukee CO2 Regulator MA957 and 5 LB aluminum cylinder. I'm reading now ferts articles .....

nice man. following is setup I'm planning on....

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

Of course, adding the wrong doses of fertilizers can mean that your nitrates go through the roof....

Darkblade, I found a lots of info bout CO2 from this guy… http://www.gpodio.com/co2_setup.asp

and, here’s what I’m planning to do w/ my CO2 setup… let me know what u think sir!!!

1) get a 10 – 20 lb tank ($50 - $100 used from Craigslist)

2) CO2 Regulator & Bubble Counter ($80- $120 eBay)



3) Check Valve & hose (not sure if ok to use one’s for air bubbles ??)

4) CO2 Diffuser (~ $20 eBay)



Thant should be good enough right??


Now, to keep an eye on my PH, what’s da cheapest/easiest method for PH Meter??? Do I have to use da (expensive) one’s $150+ for aquarium, or can I use a cheap Analog (for gardens) or Digital PH Meter like one below (bout $30-40 ebay)?!?!

(analog for soil/gardel)


Or

(Cheap Digital one’s)

[nismo tetra]

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

for about 2-3 weeks. Well I had the tank for over 8 years, w/ just gravel & fish. failed growing plants before... giving a send try now. those 4 T-12 (total 160 watts) running 10 hours a day (from 10am - 10pm) just fine gravel for subtrate. I have a HOB(?) Power filter right now, but bout to upgrade to 350 GPH Rena XP3. The algae is not as visible as his, but more like slight browning layer (very thin right now) all over the gravel & around some plants as well... I can post an image if u want... thnx.

no one else notice this? Or maybe i missed it.....but 10am to 10pm is 12 hours of light, not 10 hours of light lol. From 10 AM to 8 PM would be 10 hours of light. So I'm sure that would help knock out some of the problem right there...

[AquaTX01]

Originally Posted by nismo tetra

no one else notice this? Or maybe i missed it.....but 10am to 10pm is 12 hours of light, not 10 hours of light lol....

lol... OK, guess I should quit posting here while I'm ready to go home from work!!! good point, 12 hours is a lot and that was my intention (even day/night time). how do u guys usually do lighting?? People stay up late @ my house, does it matter if I shut off my light early, but lights in room stay lit till bout 11pm/12am??? thnx for noticing...

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

1) get a 10 – 20 lb tank ($50 - $100 used from Craigslist)

This is fine. Make sure that the tank's hydro test date is well into the future.

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

2) CO2 Regulator & Bubble Counter ($80- $120 eBay)

For this price, I would suggest you take a look at GLA, Sumo or Rex Grigg. You may get a somewhat sketchy CO2 regulator from eBay, unless you know precisely what you are buying.

For the Milwaukee MA957 as well as the JBJ regulators, the stock needle valve is in general, not very accurate and requires frequent adjustments in order to maintain a steady bubble rate.

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

3) Check Valve & hose (not sure if ok to use one’s for air bubbles ??)

Standard airline hosing is fine. You can use the vinyl or the silicone tubing.

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

4) CO2 Diffuser (~ $20 eBay)

You should be able to get these for a better price!

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

Now, to keep an eye on my PH, what’s da cheapest/easiest method for PH Meter??? Do I have to use da (expensive) one’s $150+ for aquarium, or can I use a cheap Analog (for gardens) or Digital PH Meter like one below (bout $30-40 ebay)?!?!

Why do you need to keep an eye on your pH? I believe that people place too much emphasis on maintaining the "correct" pH in a tank, when in reality, it is not that important.

I would rather invest in a drop checker to ensure that your CO2 levels are optimal.

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

good point, 12 hours is a lot and that was my intention (even day/night time). how do u guys usually do lighting?? People stay up late @ my house, does it matter if I shut off my light early, but lights in room stay lit till bout 11pm/12am??? thnx for noticing...

Most people have their lighting on for 8-10 hours only. I keep my lighting on for 8 hours. It is fine if your lights turn off early, but room lighting (ambient lighting) is still present.

[AquaTX01]

loooots of good info.... yes, I'm always skeptical bout quality items purchased on ebay or Harbor Freight Tools (bad experience w/ Welding kit, and large tools).

Ill deff research (price) on those u mentioned for da Regulator...

was reading more in to tubing, n yes, found out vinyl or the silicone tubing deff be better choice, since they wont harden or crack over time!

prices are rough estimates, but look more into it when ready to buy...

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

Why do you need to keep an eye on your pH? I believe that people place too much emphasis on maintaining the "correct" pH in a tank, when in reality, it is not that important.

I would rather invest in a drop checker to ensure that your CO2 levels are optimal.

Think that's what I meant or both (PH & level meter)... so, what would be a good choice, to check drop of CO2 levels?!

and one last question (for now @least), can I use CO2 tabs (or similar) for now till I setup a CO2 system?!?!? thnx a bunch man...

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

was reading more in to tubing, n yes, found out vinyl or the silicone tubing deff be better choice, since they wont harden or crack over time!

Silicone tubing will not harden (as fast) as the vinyl tubing. Some people may then say that silicone tubing is more permeable to CO2 gas, and then claiming that CO2 will leak out faster, but for our purposes (and at the low pressures of CO2 we are using anyway), the amount of gas lost is negligible.

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

Think that's what I meant or both (PH & level meter)... so, what would be a good choice, to check drop of CO2 levels?!

I'm not sure what you are asking here. You do not need a pH meter to check your CO2 levels; a drop checker (which you can DIY yourself for a few dollars or less) along with a 4 dkH reference solution (which you can also make yourself, or purchase online) will give you a relatively accurate estimate of the CO2 concentration within your tank.

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

and one last question (for now @least), can I use CO2 tabs (or similar) for now till I setup a CO2 system?!?!? thnx a bunch man...

CO2 tabs, in my opinion, are a waste of money. How are you going to keep the CO2 levels consistent? You have no control over the rate of diffusion of the tabs, etc.

If you really are hard pressed for now, I would just lower the amount of lighting so that the demand for CO2 is less. When you get pressurized CO2, then you can go back to increased lighting.

DIY CO2 is also a possibility, but for a tank your size, it is quite impractical and may be costly.

[AquaTX01]

thnx a bunch Darkblade!! appreciate answerin all my dumb que. n ideas...

the whole CO2 process and maintaining correct level of CO2 in tank seemed too complicated. but after reading, n more reading it seems it'll be tough gettin started. but once rollin, it should be fine. guess gonna be worth it once I grow those beautiful plants like ya'll...

Ok, getting a CO2 drop check kit from ebay & found how to 4dhk solution by "billionzz" on this post using distilled water & baking soda here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ge...ndard-how.html

quick question, how long is that solution good for (no one seem to ask that que)?? (is it good for months/years just like regular water, or it expire/evaporates/wear down)

and the drop check once in the tank, how long is that good for as well?? (read somewhere its good for bout 3-4 weeks, then u gotta change again.

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

quick question, how long is that solution good for (no one seem to ask that que)?? (is it good for months/years just like regular water, or it expire/evaporates/wear down)

Ideally, if you store the 4 dkH reference solution in a tightly sealed container, and do not let any water evaporate, it should last indefinitely. The important thing is to not let water evaporate, as that would change the carbonate hardness of the solution.

Originally Posted by AquaTX01

and the drop check once in the tank, how long is that good for as well?? (read somewhere its good for bout 3-4 weeks, then u gotta change again.

Some people like to change the solution with every water change, while others may find this excessive. I change mine solution whenever the colour begins to fade (about 3-4 weeks).

[AquaTX01]

awesome... thnx a bunch man for passin on da knowledge!!! all I gotta do now is to get started...