Need Some Help....

ryang33 · 07-09-2012, 01:28 AM

So, I started a planted aquarium about 9 months ago with two watersprites, two java ferns, and two anubis, and one red wenti. The java ferns and red wenti never really grew and basically wilted, then decayed so I got rid of them. The anubis are doing ok as in they grow new leaves but the edges of the older leaves are basically black. The watersprites are doing ok also with growth, actually multiplying like crazy sometimes, however they have some browning all over them, stalks and leaves. I have a 75g fresh water tank with a T5 lighting fixture, which have a 54w 10000k ardent white light and a 28w 10000k actin blue light. My substrate is made up of half flourite and half gravel. Now I do not have a CO2 system running, which I know would be the best situation to grow plants, but I do use Flourish Excel to supplement the nutrients needed. The Excel bottle says to use about every other day. So I have a few questions about my setup and plants. Is the lighting enough, even for plants that need strong lighting? Am I overdosing with the Excel? Do I need something else besides Flourish Excel? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

DishyFishy · 07-09-2012, 01:47 AM

You should switch out that blue light for another 65k or 10k bulb. The blue doesn't help to grow plants. You could also try some root tabs to help supply nutrients to the roots of the plants.

Flourish Excel however, is not a nutrient supplement, it is an alternative to CO2. You can keep using Excel, but you could also add just plain Flourish for nutrients. As far as overdosing Excel, make sure you thoroughly read the directions, there are different dosages for initial (after water change) and the other doses.

ryang33 · 07-09-2012, 02:16 AM

Ok, the Excel bottle says after the initial water change dosage to use a capful for every 50g either once a day or every other day. As for the tabs would just insert them next to the plants or evenly distribute them all over the tank? If I evenly distribute how many would I need for a 75g tanks? I had a feeling I would need to get different light.

DishyFishy · 07-09-2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryang33

Ok, the Excel bottle says after the initial water change dosage to use a capful for every 50g either once a day or every other day.

Read further down though, it may be one capful for the initial, but it will be a smaller dose for the other days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryang33

As for the tabs would just insert them next to the plants or evenly distribute them all over the tank?

You can do it either way. I personally cut them up into smaller pieces and put them nearer the plants. Don't have to use/buy as many that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryang33

If I evenly distribute how many would I need for a 75g tanks?

I have no clue lol.

ryang33 · 07-09-2012, 02:40 AM

Dishy thanks for all the advice. I will take your approach with the tabs, especially since I looked at your tank pics and they look really nice and healthy. Again thanks.

07-09-2012, 01:28 AM	#1
ryang33 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3	Need Some Help.... So, I started a planted aquarium about 9 months ago with two watersprites, two java ferns, and two anubis, and one red wenti. The java ferns and red wenti never really grew and basically wilted, then decayed so I got rid of them. The anubis are doing ok as in they grow new leaves but the edges of the older leaves are basically black. The watersprites are doing ok also with growth, actually multiplying like crazy sometimes, however they have some browning all over them, stalks and leaves. I have a 75g fresh water tank with a T5 lighting fixture, which have a 54w 10000k ardent white light and a 28w 10000k actin blue light. My substrate is made up of half flourite and half gravel. Now I do not have a CO2 system running, which I know would be the best situation to grow plants, but I do use Flourish Excel to supplement the nutrients needed. The Excel bottle says to use about every other day. So I have a few questions about my setup and plants. Is the lighting enough, even for plants that need strong lighting? Am I overdosing with the Excel? Do I need something else besides Flourish Excel? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

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07-09-2012, 01:47 AM	#2
DishyFishy Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SC Posts: 471	You should switch out that blue light for another 65k or 10k bulb. The blue doesn't help to grow plants. You could also try some root tabs to help supply nutrients to the roots of the plants. Flourish Excel however, is not a nutrient supplement, it is an alternative to CO2. You can keep using Excel, but you could also add just plain Flourish for nutrients. As far as overdosing Excel, make sure you thoroughly read the directions, there are different dosages for initial (after water change) and the other doses.

07-09-2012, 02:16 AM	#3
ryang33 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3	Ok, the Excel bottle says after the initial water change dosage to use a capful for every 50g either once a day or every other day. As for the tabs would just insert them next to the plants or evenly distribute them all over the tank? If I evenly distribute how many would I need for a 75g tanks? I had a feeling I would need to get different light.

07-09-2012, 02:40 AM	#5
ryang33 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3	Dishy thanks for all the advice. I will take your approach with the tabs, especially since I looked at your tank pics and they look really nice and healthy. Again thanks.