Re: [Killietalk] Killietalk Digest J.Moss and Hydra problems

["Nick Ternes" <woodland_gardens at gmail.com>]

I haven't been following this post much, as I was busy w/ WAKO, building my
fishroom, and work; so I apologize if this has been stated already.

Ken's observation about nutrient competition is correct, though maybe a
little misunderstood.  The fact that the najas is rooted doesn't make any
difference, except that there are more nutrients available to it.  (how do
you keep najas rooted anyway?  mine always breaks into a million pieces,
then I have a najas filled tank a week later!)  If those nutrients are
available in the water column, it will have no problem competing with
algae.  When aquatic plants get more light, they need more nutrients and CO2
to photosynthesize efficiently.  If there are algae problems in a high-light
planted tank, while it may sound counter-active, in most cases you need to
add MORE nutrients, not less.  The plants aren't getting the nutrients they
need to compete with the algae, so the algae takes over.  I grow Java Moss
under a 65W CF in a 20.  As long as I'm fertilizing (and to a lesser extent,
adding CO2) it grows great and needs trimming every 3-5 days.  The other
thing that makes a big difference for java moss (and I think najas, but to a
lesser extent- haven't paid much attention) is temperature.  The only time I
failed with java moss is when I had a pair of Rams and kept the temp around
85.  It died within 2 weeks.  High 60s-mid 70s seems best.

Perhaps Wright (or someone else also on APD) could take over here (I have to
get to work) and explain Barr's Estimative Index for us.

Nick Ternes
Oostburg, WI
WAKO
AKA


On 11/7/06, Ken <ken_combs at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Couple of previous post mentioned issues w/java moss in high light (algae
> et)...yeah you see that same deal w/najas grass under high direct light...
> rooted najas grass "sorta" seems more resistant to algae infestation,
> might
> be a corollary; I dunno; but my guess is it's a nutrient uptake
> competition
> thing with the algae...
>
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
Archives are at http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/
Modify your subscription at http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/killietalk