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Re: The algae is back, what am I doing wrong?
I am pretty new at all this, so I know I am probably making a mistake
somewhere, but can't figure out what it is. I started this planted tank in
Feb. I recently took out all my plants and gave them the bleach treatment (19
parts water, one part bleach, a soak for three minutes, then a soak in
dechlorinated water for longer, then a final rinse). This was successful,
though it appears Amazon swords don't like this treatment -- they have
several leaves that are skeletonizing (new verb for planted tank world). :o)
Anyway, I was pretty happy with that day's work because it also gave me a
chance to re-landscape to correct some of my first mistakes in design. I
have been working at keeping my CO2 very high with DIY CO2. Some mornings I
have had to do water changes because the fish were gasping. Currently my pH
is 6.8 and my kH is 6, making for a CO2 level of 28 according to the charts.
Other stats:
*25-30% weekly water changes
*quit feeding as often
*38 gallons, 110 watts CF
*No SAEs or Amano shrimp available in my area. I have three CAEs
*No pearling to speak of, things are growing but not like they used to
*I am supplementing with Kents blue bottle, Flourite substrate, with Flourish
tabs
*Nitrates test 0, but it is one of those color kits -- the next color would
be 12, so it could be in between
*I have also put in a half teaspoon of stump remover a couple of times
*Leaves on the sag. are rotting off, and I don't see new growth
Now I can see the algae starting to form again, the black furry stuff on the
edge of the leaves. I don't want to have to bleach the plants every two
months -- it was a lot of work. Even if it did kill the algae, it is
obviously hard on the plants. Does anything I've written give you a clue as
to what I might be overlooking? I am determined to get to a point where all
I have to do is scrape a little green spot off, but I'll be darned if I can
figure out how to get to that point.
Catherine