[bengalhousecats]

Quesiton, I am new to the planted tank. Still figuring things out. I am about 1 1/2 months into it and my plants have started melting a little bit. I am also getting a boom of green hair algae which is telling me something is off balance.

I have 4x54w t5ho lamps in a 55 gallon with 3 inches of substrate that runs for 10hours. I am going to assume that I have too much lighting, is the light or the algae that is killing off the plants.

Also, the fixture I got did not provide me any type of mounting so its laying right on top of the tank. Should I raise the light or take out some bulbs?

Most of my plants seem to be taking a hit but I have 1 madagascar lace that is thriving in these conditions which is strange.

Too much light? Algae problem? Or just too early in the tanks life?

 

[bengalhousecats]

Sorry for the slow response, I do have a non dyi co2 system in place. I did notice I had my co2 drop checker mid level, not 10cm below surface and also close to my co2 diffuser. So I think i was getting an inaccurate reading of co2. I readjusted, upped the flow and also the flow of my tank. My drop checker was blue after the movement, now its dark green.

Im not so much concerned about the hair algae, I trimmed it all away but more concerned that I was not just not doing something right.

I haven't gotten into ferts yet but still researching, I am new to this. I know that is next

So, is it safe to say I just needed more and proper co2?