"Dave M. Picklyk" wrote in message
news:nXcsc.5528$J02.802@edtnps84...
I see! So by having high NO3 you are supplying the chloroplasts with a lot
nitrogen thus giving more of a green pigment in plants. With higher light
and increased nutrients the plants grow quickly and have much less time to
construct the chlorophyll. Very interesting!!! Thanks for the extremely
informative discussion, I have oft wished that I've taken some further
education in organic chemistry and biology to understand these things
better.



Thanx again!!

Dave.


that is interesting. Tom has been helping me with some dosing information on
the APD list as I have recently upgraded from 4 x 40 Watt T12's to 6 x 32
watt T8's in a new canopy. It made an amazing difference however it has also
brought me some algae issues. I am presently batting BBA (little black or
apparently red tufts) on some of my plants and green algae on the glass. I
have started doing 50% water changes and dosing more KN03 than I was before.
I have ludwigia repens as well as Rotala in my tank. Prior to upgrading my
lights my ludwigia would basically be green like yours until it got near the
light source and then the tops would turn reddish. I have recently removed
most of it and replanted some of the red tops which have now grown almost to
the surface of my 77g tank and noticed that they remained a reddish color
almost from the substrate on up although more red near the surface. This
would seem to indicate that I do need more KN03. I have just started dosing
1/2 tsp 3 x a week so will see if this has any effect.