Pics of my tank w/ a couple problems.

tranceFusion · 12-08-2007, 03:42 PM

I am working on my first my first planted tank. It is a 5 gallon eclipse corner system with a 13w fluorescent. It has gravel substrate with laterite underneath. I have been adding Leaf Zone (which is Iron and Potassium).

1) Red Ludwigia new growth is yellow. This seems to point to Iron, though I have laterite and I am adding iron. I have 6 stems of this plant and it is growing QUITE fast and has double its size in just a few weeks. I had to take it out and clip the bottom halves off. Also, the veins through the leaves appear yellow. The underside of the new leaves is showing red although there was no red when I bought the plant.

2) There is a brown detritus collecting on the ludwigia leaves and the java moss. I don't think it is the usual brown algae because I have had the tank setup for 6 weeks and it is just now appearing, it isn't on the glass, and it doesn't seem to coat the java fern like I have seen in other tanks.

The current tank inhabitants are 2 adult cherry shrimp, a few baby cherry shrimp, and a dwarf puffer. I add pond snails for the puffer now and then but they don't last too long

Any help is appreciated. I wonder if nitrates are low because I only have one fish, but I am scared to add any because the puffers are quite sensitive.

The Java Moss, Ludwigia and Java Fern have been in there for about 6 weeks but I just added vallisneria, guppy grass, and a small clipping of watersprite. It is difficult to walk the fine line between keeping the puffer healthy, letting light get to the plants, and not having it look like crap, so any aquascaping suggestions are also appreciated.

Here are pics of my tank, sorry my camera stinks.. Sorry for the huge post and thanks for any help.

fshfanatic · 12-08-2007, 04:02 PM

are you dosing ferts? what kind of light are you using?

tranceFusion · 12-08-2007, 04:13 PM

light is 13w fluorescent (one of those spiral GE incandescent replacement bulbs). im adding leaf zone (iron + potassium)

matt s · 12-08-2007, 07:21 PM

I would reccomend adding a little excel to help plant growth.

12-08-2007, 03:42 PM	#1
tranceFusion Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 12	Pics of my tank w/ a couple problems. I am working on my first my first planted tank. It is a 5 gallon eclipse corner system with a 13w fluorescent. It has gravel substrate with laterite underneath. I have been adding Leaf Zone (which is Iron and Potassium). 1) Red Ludwigia new growth is yellow. This seems to point to Iron, though I have laterite and I am adding iron. I have 6 stems of this plant and it is growing QUITE fast and has double its size in just a few weeks. I had to take it out and clip the bottom halves off. Also, the veins through the leaves appear yellow. The underside of the new leaves is showing red although there was no red when I bought the plant. 2) There is a brown detritus collecting on the ludwigia leaves and the java moss. I don't think it is the usual brown algae because I have had the tank setup for 6 weeks and it is just now appearing, it isn't on the glass, and it doesn't seem to coat the java fern like I have seen in other tanks. The current tank inhabitants are 2 adult cherry shrimp, a few baby cherry shrimp, and a dwarf puffer. I add pond snails for the puffer now and then but they don't last too long Any help is appreciated. I wonder if nitrates are low because I only have one fish, but I am scared to add any because the puffers are quite sensitive. The Java Moss, Ludwigia and Java Fern have been in there for about 6 weeks but I just added vallisneria, guppy grass, and a small clipping of watersprite. It is difficult to walk the fine line between keeping the puffer healthy, letting light get to the plants, and not having it look like crap, so any aquascaping suggestions are also appreciated. Here are pics of my tank, sorry my camera stinks.. Sorry for the huge post and thanks for any help.

12-08-2007, 04:02 PM	#2
fshfanatic Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,279	are you dosing ferts? what kind of light are you using? __________________ Ehfipimp #273 ( Eheim Classic: 2260, 2217, Eheim Ecco: 2236, 2232 ) Fluval FX5

12-08-2007, 07:21 PM	#4
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	I would reccomend adding a little excel to help plant growth. __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

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12-08-2007, 04:13 PM	#3
tranceFusion Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 12	light is 13w fluorescent (one of those spiral GE incandescent replacement bulbs). im adding leaf zone (iron + potassium)