Possible to have low co2 without bba?

nokturnalkid · 03-05-2013, 10:02 PM

I have a 6 gal tank with the finnex ray2. According to their par charts I whould be around 30 or so(light is ~24" from sub). Dosing ei with pressurized co2. So, light and ferts should not be the culprit. This leaves me with co2. I do not have not a spec of bba in the tank but I just can not get rid of gda. No animals in the tank except for a few snails, so no overfeeding. Matter of fact, I don't feed at all. I also do not think it is po4 since I dose on the upper end. I know some people dose 5ppm 3x a week without any issue and I am right around that area per wet's calculator. Also, dc is in the yellow range by the end of the day. Any thoughts?

DarkCobra · 03-06-2013, 06:08 AM

Possible to have low CO2 without bba? Certainly. Every low-light, low-tech tank is an example. CO2 isn't necessary at 30 PAR, just helpful.

Low PO4 typically causes GSA, not GDA.

Your plants may be struggling a bit at this light level. For high-tech tanks, I find medium-low light (about 50 PAR) to be the most stable and algae free level.

Nitrates require more energy (in the form of light) for plants to utilize as a nitrogen source than ammonia from livestock. Which means they have less energy available for other things like growth, maintaining good health, and keeping algae down - however they manage to do it. They need more light to compensate for a high nitrate and nearly zero ammonia situation like yours. If not provided, GDA is indeed one possible outcome in my experience.

If you can increase the light a bit, try it.

latchdan · 03-06-2013, 07:28 PM

How long is your photo period, I found reducing mine by 2 hours cleared up my GDA and I had it really bad, now its barely noticeable. Although, now another algae has poped up in its place dealing with that right now.

03-05-2013, 10:02 PM	#1
nokturnalkid Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (75/100%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: HI, but Pueblo, CO for now Posts: 1,225	Possible to have low co2 without bba? I have a 6 gal tank with the finnex ray2. According to their par charts I whould be around 30 or so(light is ~24" from sub). Dosing ei with pressurized co2. So, light and ferts should not be the culprit. This leaves me with co2. I do not have not a spec of bba in the tank but I just can not get rid of gda. No animals in the tank except for a few snails, so no overfeeding. Matter of fact, I don't feed at all. I also do not think it is po4 since I dose on the upper end. I know some people dose 5ppm 3x a week without any issue and I am right around that area per wet's calculator. Also, dc is in the yellow range by the end of the day. Any thoughts? __________________ Schuber Wright 6 gal Mr. Aqua 11.4 g...coming soon 30gal Journal - RIP

03-06-2013, 06:08 AM	#2
DarkCobra Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,959	Possible to have low CO2 without bba? Certainly. Every low-light, low-tech tank is an example. CO2 isn't necessary at 30 PAR, just helpful. Low PO4 typically causes GSA, not GDA. Your plants may be struggling a bit at this light level. For high-tech tanks, I find medium-low light (about 50 PAR) to be the most stable and algae free level. Nitrates require more energy (in the form of light) for plants to utilize as a nitrogen source than ammonia from livestock. Which means they have less energy available for other things like growth, maintaining good health, and keeping algae down - however they manage to do it. They need more light to compensate for a high nitrate and nearly zero ammonia situation like yours. If not provided, GDA is indeed one possible outcome in my experience. If you can increase the light a bit, try it. __________________ Life happens. On semi-hiatus, checking in infrequently.

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03-06-2013, 07:28 PM	#3
latchdan Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 237	How long is your photo period, I found reducing mine by 2 hours cleared up my GDA and I had it really bad, now its barely noticeable. Although, now another algae has poped up in its place dealing with that right now.