CmLaracy's 75P ADA

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by CmLaracy

i was thinking of switching to a 70w MH and doing a low light anubias/crypt/val tank with the same hardscape. IDK

I really think my bulb is shot and it's been causing problems. I had BBA with a constant 35ppms of CO2, and Diatoms with a fully cycled tank that hadn't seen NH4 in 4 months. All this happened 2 times in a row. I did everything exactly the way I was supposed the second time around, and still, these algae's showed up despite the fact that their growth factors were missing. I'm thinking my bulb is shot.

So laura, not a bad idea, I won't throw anything at you

low light tanks can look good, too. though i preffer higher-tech. and your plant choice wouldnt be so limited. you could do swords too, and moss and java ferns of course, and lotuses. asian ambulia might be ok if you let it grow tall enough. and any floating plants would do just fine.

[moogoo]

i know how you feel CM....

I'm upgrading to a 75P from my standard 30G and i will be going low light. I had close to 5WPG on my 30G and my plants grew like crazy and things were great at first. but the algae came.. and life got busy.. and things got out of hand.

Low light is the way to go. Much easier to manage and I intend to automate dosing to keep things even easier.

Good luck with your next setup bro.

[@marko@]

dont think low-light is algae free. you should have seen the cyano i had in my eclipse 3. it was scary. and after i removed every last bit, it came back in a week.

[moogoo]

not saying low light is algae free, but chances of nutrients getting out of control are less than with high light i think. It's much more manageable when the plants are growing like weeds.

[CmLaracy]

Jens, the bulb came with blatant signs of being used beforehand. It had the classic MH burn dots/spots. Got it from AFA

[@marko@]

well, then try getting a new bulb, except maybe not from AFA this time.
expired bulbs are easy enough to fix.

[Momotaro]

Jens, the bulb came with blatant signs of being used beforehand. It had the classic MH burn dots/spots. Got it from AFA

I doubt that. Been there a few times and know the guys who own and run the shop. There is no way they sent you a used bulb, Chris. I just don't believe that.

Besides if the bulb had the "tell tale signs" of being used, it should have been brought to their attention immediately before use so the situation could have been rectified as opposed to becoming an accusation on a forum.

MH is a one of, if not the most difficult manners of light to control over a planted aquarium in my opinion, and it seems you have had trouble with your MH from the get go. Sure it is the bulb?

[Hilde]

I feel like giving up but I love having live plants. I figure if after I add diy Co2 I get algae, I will start adding some potassium nitrate. If that doesn't work then I will just stick with java fern and make caves. I have java fern v needle. It looks a bit like Hygro willow.

From what hoppycalif stated about his algae I gather that light is 1 of the main causes of algae. Have been told that actinic lights, which give off blue photos, can cause algae blooms. Perhaps the bulb has a lot of blue photons in it and that coupled with nutrient imbalance is causing your algae problems. Have read a lot have corrected the imbalance of nutrients, another cause of algae, by adding potassium nitrate. Even though flourish excel isn't the complete answer to algae control, I think it helps give 1 time to get the problem under control.

[CmLaracy]

Gonna raise the light 18" off the surface (getting a new bulb just to be sure), go back to AS 2 and hope it doesn't break apart again, get slow growing plants, and let it do it's thing. I had a much better time controlling AS 2.

Same hardscape. Micro sword foreground, Val nana jungle type background, crypts on the sides, anubias nana between the rocks, nana petite tied to the wood. Needle leaf java in the same spot as last time, believe it or not it's still there and looking great after months of no light. Some mosses thrown in between. Starting up before christmas, look for the new thread soon =)

[roybot73]

Glad to hear you're going to give it another go!

[@marko@]

proud of you dude.
algae isnt gonna KO you, you just pop right back up and whack it in the face.

[CmLaracy]

Originally Posted by roybot73

Glad to hear you're going to give it another go!

Originally Posted by @marko@

proud of you dude.
algae isnt gonna KO you, you just pop right back up and whack it in the face.

LOL, thanks guys


Just placed an order with ADG and Charley @ Lowcaster, I'm wasting NO time

Oh and scratch the val nana in the back, I'm going with Eleocharis vivipara. I'm going to post a large WTB in the SnS any minute

[@marko@]

way to go chris.

you need any plants i have, just ask (see my 20L thread for the plants). first clippings are yours. were gonna help you get back on your feet. algae can go **** itself.

[gmccreedy]

welcome back.

[Hilde]

Did you ever find out what caused the ammonia to spike. Perhaps another nominal that caused the algae bloom.