Heeeelp

[lifeoffroad03]

So I have posted many times on a regular forum and I have tried everything recommended and still no luck.

So here's my setup:
55 gal with all normal levels except high nitrates as my tap water is high in nitrates. When I say that I am only reffering to the normal tests. Ammonia, Nitrate and nitrites.

Gravel substrate with one box of First Layer Lytrite and 10 Sea hem root tabs spread throughout

Liquid fert includes:
Flourish Excel
Flourish macro nutrients
Flourish potassium

I have 2 t5 bulbs one 6500 28 watt and one 58 watt and one accent light which is 18 inch forget specs.

My issue is the plants grow new sprouts but the plants themselves do not grow tall. When they do grow they get little holes. Not as many as they used to with the addition of potassium. Also they tend to quickly tun yellow and die.

My second issue is a bad case of algae mostly black beard. But when I clean the glass I get brown fuzz and green spots on the glass in like 2 days.

Anyway I don't want to patch anymore I want to do it right. Will dirt substrate resolve of my issues?

Thanks in advance.

[lauraleellbp]

Could you post some pictures?

Are your T5 bulbs NO or HO? (Actually I'm really confused about your lighting... what's an "accent light"?)

How long is your photoperiod?

How often do you dose which of those ferts you posted?

How long has your tank been running, and what's it stocked with?

[lifeoffroad03]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Could you post some pictures?

Are your T5 bulbs NO or HO? (Actually I'm really confused about your lighting... what's an "accent light"?)

How long is your photoperiod?

How often do you dose which of those ferts you posted?

How long has your tank been running, and what's it stocked with?

Sorry I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I'm reading more into this and I'm wondering if I'm not cut out for plants. I've seen many tanks where dosing and mineral content and all that stuff wasn't really a necessity I'm using stater plants and thought I could just dose them with every water change which for me is sometimes twice a week. Anyway, its not really an accent light it is just an extra little 18" red bulb to add some color as the t5 lights I have are really to green. The are just regular t5 lights not the HO. Actually I take that back one might be cause it isn't the one that came with it.

Stocking of the fish or plants. I only have like 3 plants. I don't know the names but I will post pictures when I get home.