recomendations requested

[Doug Sheely]

These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community tank. Any
suggestions?

PH 6.9
KH 15
Nitrite 0
Amonia 0
Phosphate 1.0
Nitrate 20

Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am fairly
sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at aproximnately a
bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter. 2 - 55
watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve plant
growth and overall health.

[kush]

At pH 6.9 and kH 15, by formula, your CO2 is right at the level where it may
start being harmful to your fish.

What kind of plants do you have, how long has the tank been up, are you
adding fertilizer, and what is the water temperature? Do you have algae
and, if so, what kind?

kush

Doug Sheely > wrote in message
...
> These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community tank.
Any
> suggestions?
>
> PH 6.9
> KH 15
> Nitrite 0
> Amonia 0
> Phosphate 1.0
> Nitrate 20
>
> Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am fairly
> sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at aproximnately
a
> bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter. 2 - 55
> watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve plant
> growth and overall health.
>
>

[Craig Brye]

If the measurements are right, your CO2 level is around 57 ppm. I'm
surprised your fish aren't showing signs of distress. Are you fairly
positive your KH test is reliable?

--
Craig Brye
University of Phoenix Online

"Doug Sheely" > wrote in message
...
> These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community tank.
Any
> suggestions?
>
> PH 6.9
> KH 15
> Nitrite 0
> Amonia 0
> Phosphate 1.0
> Nitrate 20
>
> Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am fairly
> sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at aproximnately
a
> bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter. 2 - 55
> watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve plant
> growth and overall health.
>
>

[Doug Sheely]

My tank has been set up for about two years but I just added the plants and
new lighting within the last couple of months. I am not adding any
fertilizers and I do have a UV sterilizer running after having a serious
green water outbreak approximately 2 weeks ago.Plants include Amazon Swords,
Camboa, Ludwiga,Micro Swords and others.
"kush" > wrote in message
...
> At pH 6.9 and kH 15, by formula, your CO2 is right at the level where it
may
> start being harmful to your fish.
>
> What kind of plants do you have, how long has the tank been up, are you
> adding fertilizer, and what is the water temperature? Do you have algae
> and, if so, what kind?
>
> kush
>
> Doug Sheely > wrote in message
> ...
> > These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community tank.
> Any
> > suggestions?
> >
> > PH 6.9
> > KH 15
> > Nitrite 0
> > Amonia 0
> > Phosphate 1.0
> > Nitrate 20
> >
> > Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am fairly
> > sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at
aproximnately
> a
> > bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter. 2 - 55
> > watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve plant
> > growth and overall health.
> >
> >
>
>

[Doug Sheely]

I believe it is accurate I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kit and
have tested it several times.
"Craig Brye" > wrote in message
...
> If the measurements are right, your CO2 level is around 57 ppm. I'm
> surprised your fish aren't showing signs of distress. Are you fairly
> positive your KH test is reliable?
>
> --
> Craig Brye
> University of Phoenix Online
>
> "Doug Sheely" > wrote in message
> ...
> > These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community tank.
> Any
> > suggestions?
> >
> > PH 6.9
> > KH 15
> > Nitrite 0
> > Amonia 0
> > Phosphate 1.0
> > Nitrate 20
> >
> > Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am fairly
> > sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at
aproximnately
> a
> > bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter. 2 - 55
> > watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve plant
> > growth and overall health.
> >
> >
>
>

[kush]

OK, you've got more than enough light and CO2 for photosynthesis, so if
you're plants aren't growing, I assume that either they're nutrient
deficient or the water's too cold. You've got nitrate and phosphate, so you
need to supplement with trace elements. Make sure your thermostat is set at
72º or better.

Doug Sheely > wrote in message
...
> My tank has been set up for about two years but I just added the plants
and
> new lighting within the last couple of months. I am not adding any
> fertilizers and I do have a UV sterilizer running after having a serious
> green water outbreak approximately 2 weeks ago.Plants include Amazon
Swords,
> Camboa, Ludwiga,Micro Swords and others.
> "kush" > wrote in message
> ...
> > At pH 6.9 and kH 15, by formula, your CO2 is right at the level where it
> may
> > start being harmful to your fish.
> >
> > What kind of plants do you have, how long has the tank been up, are you
> > adding fertilizer, and what is the water temperature? Do you have algae
> > and, if so, what kind?
> >
> > kush
> >
> > Doug Sheely > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community
tank.
> > Any
> > > suggestions?
> > >
> > > PH 6.9
> > > KH 15
> > > Nitrite 0
> > > Amonia 0
> > > Phosphate 1.0
> > > Nitrate 20
> > >
> > > Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am
fairly
> > > sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at
> aproximnately
> > a
> > > bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter. 2 -
55
> > > watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve
plant
> > > growth and overall health.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Frank Mamone]

Note that phosphates will through off you CO2 calculations. Are you using
any additives at all that contain phospates?

"Doug Sheely" > wrote in message
...
> I believe it is accurate I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kit
and
> have tested it several times.
> "Craig Brye" > wrote in message
> ...
> > If the measurements are right, your CO2 level is around 57 ppm. I'm
> > surprised your fish aren't showing signs of distress. Are you fairly
> > positive your KH test is reliable?
> >
> > --
> > Craig Brye
> > University of Phoenix Online
> >
> > "Doug Sheely" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community
tank.
> > Any
> > > suggestions?
> > >
> > > PH 6.9
> > > KH 15
> > > Nitrite 0
> > > Amonia 0
> > > Phosphate 1.0
> > > Nitrate 20
> > >
> > > Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am
fairly
> > > sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at
> aproximnately
> > a
> > > bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter. 2 -
55
> > > watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve
plant
> > > growth and overall health.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Doug Sheely]

No I am not using any additives at all.
"Frank Mamone" > wrote in message
.. .
> Note that phosphates will through off you CO2 calculations. Are you using
> any additives at all that contain phospates?
>
> "Doug Sheely" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I believe it is accurate I am using an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kit
> and
> > have tested it several times.
> > "Craig Brye" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > If the measurements are right, your CO2 level is around 57 ppm. I'm
> > > surprised your fish aren't showing signs of distress. Are you fairly
> > > positive your KH test is reliable?
> > >
> > > --
> > > Craig Brye
> > > University of Phoenix Online
> > >
> > > "Doug Sheely" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community
> tank.
> > > Any
> > > > suggestions?
> > > >
> > > > PH 6.9
> > > > KH 15
> > > > Nitrite 0
> > > > Amonia 0
> > > > Phosphate 1.0
> > > > Nitrate 20
> > > >
> > > > Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am
> fairly
> > > > sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at
> > aproximnately
> > > a
> > > > bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter.
2 -
> 55
> > > > watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve
> plant
> > > > growth and overall health.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Doug Sheely]

temp set at 78 deg any suggestions on trace elements?
"kush" > wrote in message
...
> OK, you've got more than enough light and CO2 for photosynthesis, so if
> you're plants aren't growing, I assume that either they're nutrient
> deficient or the water's too cold. You've got nitrate and phosphate, so
you
> need to supplement with trace elements. Make sure your thermostat is set
at
> 72º or better.
>
> Doug Sheely > wrote in message
> ...
> > My tank has been set up for about two years but I just added the plants
> and
> > new lighting within the last couple of months. I am not adding any
> > fertilizers and I do have a UV sterilizer running after having a serious
> > green water outbreak approximately 2 weeks ago.Plants include Amazon
> Swords,
> > Camboa, Ludwiga,Micro Swords and others.
> > "kush" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > At pH 6.9 and kH 15, by formula, your CO2 is right at the level where
it
> > may
> > > start being harmful to your fish.
> > >
> > > What kind of plants do you have, how long has the tank been up, are
you
> > > adding fertilizer, and what is the water temperature? Do you have
algae
> > > and, if so, what kind?
> > >
> > > kush
> > >
> > > Doug Sheely > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community
> tank.
> > > Any
> > > > suggestions?
> > > >
> > > > PH 6.9
> > > > KH 15
> > > > Nitrite 0
> > > > Amonia 0
> > > > Phosphate 1.0
> > > > Nitrate 20
> > > >
> > > > Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am
> fairly
> > > > sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at
> > aproximnately
> > > a
> > > > bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter.
2 -
> 55
> > > > watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve
> plant
> > > > growth and overall health.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Pete in the Colorado Mtns]

Good trace mixes that you can buy are TMG (Tropica Master Gro - you can
get it a Big Als online), and Seachem Flourish (get this at most LFSs).
You can also DIY and make your own PMDD (poor man's dosing drops).
I've *just* started wandering down that particular avenue, so my
experience isn't too deep with it. If you're just starting out, it's
probably better to get the TMG or Flourish until you're more acquainted
with fertilizing in general. Flourish comes in the basic "Flourish" and
then there's flourish with iron, flourish excel, etc. I'd start with
the Flourish with iron, unless you know that you already have enough
iron. The TMG already has iron in it. You can test for iron, or you
can use Chuck Gadd's webpage to see if you can tell more specifically
which nutrients your plants might be deficient in. Try out
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/articles.htm for a good starting point.

Best of luck!
pete

Doug Sheely wrote:
> temp set at 78 deg any suggestions on trace elements?
> "kush" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>OK, you've got more than enough light and CO2 for photosynthesis, so if
>>you're plants aren't growing, I assume that either they're nutrient
>>deficient or the water's too cold. You've got nitrate and phosphate, so
>
> you
>
>>need to supplement with trace elements. Make sure your thermostat is set
>
> at
>
>>72º or better.
>>
>>Doug Sheely > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>My tank has been set up for about two years but I just added the plants
>>
>>and
>>
>>>new lighting within the last couple of months. I am not adding any
>>>fertilizers and I do have a UV sterilizer running after having a serious
>>>green water outbreak approximately 2 weeks ago.Plants include Amazon
>>
>>Swords,
>>
>>>Camboa, Ludwiga,Micro Swords and others.
>>>"kush" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>>At pH 6.9 and kH 15, by formula, your CO2 is right at the level where
>>>
> it
>
>>>may
>>>
>>>>start being harmful to your fish.
>>>>
>>>>What kind of plants do you have, how long has the tank been up, are
>>>
> you
>
>>>>adding fertilizer, and what is the water temperature? Do you have
>>>
> algae
>
>>>>and, if so, what kind?
>>>>
>>>>kush
>>>>
>>>>Doug Sheely > wrote in message
...
>>>>
>>>>>These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community
>>>>
>>tank.
>>
>>>>Any
>>>>
>>>>>suggestions?
>>>>>
>>>>>PH 6.9
>>>>>KH 15
>>>>>Nitrite 0
>>>>>Amonia 0
>>>>>Phosphate 1.0
>>>>>Nitrate 20
>>>>>
>>>>>Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am
>>>>
>>fairly
>>
>>>>>sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at
>>>>
>>>aproximnately
>>>
>>>>a
>>>>
>>>>>bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter.
>>>>
> 2 -
>
>>55
>>
>>>>>watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve
>>>>
>>plant
>>
>>>>>growth and overall health.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>


--
--
pete

"It is unwise to insult a doughnut be refusing to eat it."

[Alex R]

I think it would help to start adding some plant supplements like potassium
and trace elements because it seems that your plants are limited by those.
With enough CO2 and good lighting, as you have, your plants should probably
be able to deplete the water column of nitrate, and yet you have 20 ppm NO3
in your tank without supplementing it. If the plants are lacking even one
nutrient, they cannot absorb any others. It is in those conditions where
algae commonly thrives. For potassium, use K2SO4 or KCl. For traces, Tropica
MasterGrow and Flourish are great. After you start adding those, the plants
will start to remove the NO3 and possibly the PO4. In that case it'll be
necessary to start dosing KNO3 and perhaps KH2PO4. There are many sources of
these chemicals discussed in this newsgroup's Google archive.
__
Alex
pcalex (at) hotpop.com


"Doug Sheely" > wrote in message
...
> My tank has been set up for about two years but I just added the plants
and
> new lighting within the last couple of months. I am not adding any
> fertilizers and I do have a UV sterilizer running after having a serious
> green water outbreak approximately 2 weeks ago.Plants include Amazon
Swords,
> Camboa, Ludwiga,Micro Swords and others.