Planted tank help

How old is the tank? (How long since you first set it up and started it's cycle) Also, please post your water parameters as well as how long you keep lights on..

1 more thing... why the refugium? What plants are in it? I would think the refuge would be much more useful if converted into a biomedia filter..

It's been running for 6 months, and I will get the water parameters when I get home tonight. I keep the 2 67k 36in lights on for 8hrs. Anacharis is what I have in the refug.. I was told to do it this way. Have no experience with a sump/refugium. If there's a better more efficient way to do it, I would b willing to change it.

did some water tests today.
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-40
phosphate-10

dont know y my nitrates r so high never had them that high b4, did a water change today.

How deep is the tank in inches? I'm thinking that those bulbs aren't penetrating very well.. Also, what brand are these bulbs? I'd consider turning on the halos in the middle of the 8 hours for about 2-3 hours and see if things improve.

Definitely keep those nitrates down to 5-10 for now.. your tank won't need the 15-20 nitrate range until it's more heavily planted.

What filter do you have running besides the refugium? Also, I'd look into putting some micranthemum umbrosum or even a hygrophilia into the refugium too.. I can't say how well they would do but those are the two hardiest/fastest growing plants I have experience with..

Try looking into dosing different ferts too.. like flourish comprehensive supplement or a powder macro fert.


Also keep in mind that bulbs do go bad after so long.. typically a year or so.. depending on usage.