Long time reader, first time poster.
Started a 65 gallon (3’x18”x2’) six to seven months ago. Plants have never taken off and I am in desperate need of help. Minor/medium algae problems come and go and signs still exist.
(Tank Overview)
Main problem is plant growth is minimal, most leaves are dying, already gone through 2 sets of leaves on a few sword plants (clipped when dying/dead), and new plants are also getting brown edges.
Is it light, fert, or c02 requirements? Willing to expend any amount to see the problem rectified.
Per plant problem:
Sword leaves died and removed, twice. No new extended growth and starting to turn brown and spot.
(Sword and SFF [hoped it was an SAE])
Anubias – brown edges, minimal growth, leaves starting to fail.
(Anubias - Original Planting on Left, Recent Crypt on Right)
Java fern – sprouted many offspring, never took off, leaves died, leaves brown/darken and fall off. Recent brown algae (best guess it diatoms) covering leaves.
New plants are all experiencing brown edges on leaves.
Below is a detailed rundown of every part of the system and a run-down of the tank thus far.
Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Tank: 65 gallon (3’x18”x2’) – glass top (top cleaned every 2 weeks w/ water and vinegar to ensure light can get through)
Filter(s):
- Rena XP3 – 350 GPH (had since start)
- Media: Course (30) and Medium Floss (30) in Bottom Basket, Ceramic and Stars in Middle, Ceramic in top followed by Purigen in “The Bag” and fine floss
- Intake ~3” above substrate right side of tank
- Output ~3” below water line mid-left side of tank
- Rinse floss every 3-4 weeks in bucket w/ aquarium water
- Fluval 306 – 210 GPH (added 3 months ago to take care of floating “slimy stuff”)
- Came w/ kit (floss, carbon, ceramic)
- Intake top skimmer and mid-level on right side of tank (adjusted so barely siphons water off of top)
- Output ~6” below water line mid-right of tank
- Rinse floss every 3-4 weeks in bucket w/ aquarium water
Environment:
In basement with minimal natural light. Standard overhead lights on ~10-14 hrs per day as used as an office.
Lighting:
- Odyssea 36” 4x39W T5HO
- x2 bulbs came with fixture - 6500K Daylight Odyssea brand 39W (since start)
· x1 6,700K Daylight 21W Aqueon (3 Months ago)
· x1 Actinic 420 Coral Sun 39W (1 week, suggested for lower frequency to get to bottom of tank easier)
·
Lights are on for 10hrs straight – LED moon lights on when days are not
[Have 4' 2 x 40W glow bulbs ready to add]
Substrate:
· ~60lbs Eco-Complete for 2” bottom layer
· ~1.5-2 inches of normal aquarium (medium to medium/small) at bottom
Heaters:
· - Set at 74-76 2x 250W submerged (in case 1 goes out)
· - 1 currently unplugged. Active next to
intakes.
·
Circulation:
· - Oceanic BioCube ACP 250 (250 gph)
Fertilizers:
· - Temporarily NOT using any due to algae
· - Have Flourish, Flourish Iron, Excel (I know it’s not a fertilizer)
· - Was doing 1 cap excel every 2 days, 1 cap Iron every 2 days, 1 cap flourish every 3 days
· - Home-made root tabs added once ~3 months ago. Same properties as store root tabs
Water and Conditioners:
· - 10-20% water change every week
· - Setup with well water with broken water softener, last 1 month water softener fixed
· - Originally used Tetra Aquasafe plus, now only use Prime (last 5 months) (per directions)
· - Aquarium Salt (per directions)
· - pH 7.8, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate (very low 0-5)
C02:
· - Started 2 months ago
· - DIY 6L (x2 3L bottles, started one 2 months ago and slowed down so started 2nd 1 week ago)
· - 1 bubble every 1 to 2 seconds
· - Output was in the powerhead until yesterday – it was not breaking up as much as desired. Currently, drilled hole in Rena inlet tube (below water level) and snug-fit DIY from bubble counter into it
Fauna: (might be overloaded, but nitrate levels have almost always been zero since cycled)
-3 cory cats
-3 odessa barb
-7 rasbora
-6 oto
-3 upside-down catfish (always hiding)
-1 black molly
-2 fancy guppy
-2 neon tetra
-2 SAE (hopefully, small so they may be flying fox)
-3 madagascan rainbow
Flora: Since start:
-3 amazon sword
-2 red swords
-3 anubias
-5 java fern attached to wood
Recent:
-2 large swords (unknown variety)
-1 bunch wisteria
-2 crypts
Started a 65 gallon (3’x18”x2’) six to seven months ago. Plants have never taken off and I am in desperate need of help. Minor/medium algae problems come and go and signs still exist.
Main problem is plant growth is minimal, most leaves are dying, already gone through 2 sets of leaves on a few sword plants (clipped when dying/dead), and new plants are also getting brown edges.
Is it light, fert, or c02 requirements? Willing to expend any amount to see the problem rectified.
Per plant problem:
Sword leaves died and removed, twice. No new extended growth and starting to turn brown and spot.
(Sword and SFF [hoped it was an SAE])
Anubias – brown edges, minimal growth, leaves starting to fail.
(Anubias - Original Planting on Left, Recent Crypt on Right)
Java fern – sprouted many offspring, never took off, leaves died, leaves brown/darken and fall off. Recent brown algae (best guess it diatoms) covering leaves.
New plants are all experiencing brown edges on leaves.
Below is a detailed rundown of every part of the system and a run-down of the tank thus far.
Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Tank: 65 gallon (3’x18”x2’) – glass top (top cleaned every 2 weeks w/ water and vinegar to ensure light can get through)
Filter(s):
- Rena XP3 – 350 GPH (had since start)
- Media: Course (30) and Medium Floss (30) in Bottom Basket, Ceramic and Stars in Middle, Ceramic in top followed by Purigen in “The Bag” and fine floss
- Intake ~3” above substrate right side of tank
- Output ~3” below water line mid-left side of tank
- Rinse floss every 3-4 weeks in bucket w/ aquarium water
- Fluval 306 – 210 GPH (added 3 months ago to take care of floating “slimy stuff”)
- Came w/ kit (floss, carbon, ceramic)
- Intake top skimmer and mid-level on right side of tank (adjusted so barely siphons water off of top)
- Output ~6” below water line mid-right of tank
- Rinse floss every 3-4 weeks in bucket w/ aquarium water
Environment:
In basement with minimal natural light. Standard overhead lights on ~10-14 hrs per day as used as an office.
Lighting:
- Odyssea 36” 4x39W T5HO
- x2 bulbs came with fixture - 6500K Daylight Odyssea brand 39W (since start)
· x1 6,700K Daylight 21W Aqueon (3 Months ago)
· x1 Actinic 420 Coral Sun 39W (1 week, suggested for lower frequency to get to bottom of tank easier)
·
Lights are on for 10hrs straight – LED moon lights on when days are not
[Have 4' 2 x 40W glow bulbs ready to add]
Substrate:
· ~60lbs Eco-Complete for 2” bottom layer
· ~1.5-2 inches of normal aquarium (medium to medium/small) at bottom
Heaters:
· - Set at 74-76 2x 250W submerged (in case 1 goes out)
· - 1 currently unplugged. Active next to
·
Circulation:
· - Oceanic BioCube ACP 250 (250 gph)
Fertilizers:
· - Temporarily NOT using any due to algae
· - Have Flourish, Flourish Iron, Excel (I know it’s not a fertilizer)
· - Was doing 1 cap excel every 2 days, 1 cap Iron every 2 days, 1 cap flourish every 3 days
· - Home-made root tabs added once ~3 months ago. Same properties as store root tabs
Water and Conditioners:
· - 10-20% water change every week
· - Setup with well water with broken water softener, last 1 month water softener fixed
· - Originally used Tetra Aquasafe plus, now only use Prime (last 5 months) (per directions)
· - Aquarium Salt (per directions)
· - pH 7.8, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate (very low 0-5)
C02:
· - Started 2 months ago
· - DIY 6L (x2 3L bottles, started one 2 months ago and slowed down so started 2nd 1 week ago)
· - 1 bubble every 1 to 2 seconds
· - Output was in the powerhead until yesterday – it was not breaking up as much as desired. Currently, drilled hole in Rena inlet tube (below water level) and snug-fit DIY from bubble counter into it
Fauna: (might be overloaded, but nitrate levels have almost always been zero since cycled)
-3 cory cats
-3 odessa barb
-7 rasbora
-6 oto
-3 upside-down catfish (always hiding)
-1 black molly
-2 fancy guppy
-2 neon tetra
-2 SAE (hopefully, small so they may be flying fox)
-3 madagascan rainbow
Flora: Since start:
-3 amazon sword
-2 red swords
-3 anubias
-5 java fern attached to wood
Recent:
-2 large swords (unknown variety)
-1 bunch wisteria
-2 crypts