[APD] keys to an algae-free low-light tank

[starvinfatdad at juno_com]

My apologies to all if this made it to the list already.  I posted it during the changeover, and either I didn't get a digest or it was lost in the shuffle:

For my first foray into planted tanks, I decided to take it slow (read:low
 light) at first and get the knack for an "easier" setup before going
 to a faster tank.

Easier.  Ho ho.  Anyway, after 3 months I'm continuing to cycle through
 different types of algae and not really finding the sweet spot.  At first, it
 was BBA.  I cut a lot of that out and continued on.  Then, green fuzz on the
 glass, followed quickly by green spot.  Only one Anubias in the tank is not
 covered in spot algae, and it is at the bottom under the driftwood.  Now, it's
 brown algae.  I have an otocinclus that looks like a tadpole with dropsy.  Poor
 guy is completely overwhelmed.  Note, all these have not replaced their
 predecessors, but maintain embassies all around the tank.  I've tried a number
 of little tweaks, changing the lighting from 30W NO to 36W PC, some CO2, some
 fertilization.  Rather than upset the balance in the tank any further, I've
 decided to pull the CO2, no ferts (except perhaps Flourish if things improve).

Now, on the positive side, the plants have grown pretty well.  Anubias are
 putting out new leaves about every 3 weeks, crypts are growing very well. 
 Balansae and spriralis hit the surface and came back down.  The tank looks
 really good if you don't get too close.

There is a pretty famous routine for dealing with a high light tank, (e.g. CO2 +
 ferts ala Tom Barr's estimative index & 50% weekly wcs).  I don't see much with
 respect to what to do with low light tanks.  Most folks seem to say they do
 very little, few water changes, no ferts, no CO2, and manage to have little or
 no algae.

So my question is the subject line.  Anyone willing to offer some guidance is
 very much appreciated.  I am going away this coming weekend and think I'll do a
 trim/clean tank & filter and black out the tank to start over.  Will be
 incorporating suggestions as they come.  Have listed parameters below.

Many thanks!

Tap Water
pH 7.0, KH 1, GH 2, zero NO3, PO4 .2 ppm

Tank
20g XH (same footprint as a 10g, but 24" tall)
KH 8 (from Onyx sand substrate)
pH will change, just pulled CO2 where it was 6.7
currently have a twin tube NO fluorescent that will be going into service on the
 tank after the blackout (30W total) with one tube GE P&A, the other a
 Nutrigrow
pretty heavily planted in a large variety of Crypts, Anubias, Java moss and
 fern, Bolbitis, ludwigia and some dead pellia


James Brady



________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
_______________________________________________
Aquatic-Plants mailing list
Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/aquatic-plants