"tropical freshwater plants" wrote in message
...
I would be interested to hear what what this newsgroup's subscribers
thinks
regarding the most important factors for good plant growth. I have
consistently over many years always found the plants in my community
freshwater tropical tanks by far the most difficult aspect of the hobby;
keeping the fish is easy!! My current set-up is a 240 litre Juwel "Rio"
model with integral filter/heater, it is illuminated with two fluorescent
tubes; one ordinary "warm" white and one "daylight" tube - both 38 watts,
42" (107cm) long x 1" (2.5cm) diameter (as supplied with the tank). The
lights are controlled by a timer switch which I currently have set for 10
hours on-time per day from 12.00hrs to 22.00hrs. The temperature hovers
at
around 25 degrees celcius. Plants that I have tried recently are Broad
Leaf
Amazon Sword, Stricta and Vallisneria Spiralis all of which started off OK
but now the only one that grows properly is the Stricta which also has
started to struggle recently. A few months ago I had an attack of the
dreaded thread algae which has declined now having reduced the lighting
hours from 12 to 10 hours, but now I have green "slime" algae on the
leaves
and glass (the type that removes easily) even though the lighting hours
are
reduced. The water in the tank generally remains crystal clear because of
the Juwel filtration system which I try as near as possible to maintain in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (ie changing the carbon
impregnated element every 6 weeks).

There is obviously something fundamental that I am getting wrong and I
would
really like to know what it is! Any responses would be much appreciated -
thanks!!



Hi there TFP
First off, I think you need more light. If my sums are correct you have just
under 1 watt per gallon. I would go higher than this, try for 2wpg, or at
least 1 1/2 wpg. Bottom line: add more light.
What kind of substrate do you have?
You should start adding co2 along with the increase in lighting. This will
help tremendously. Google DIY CO2 for more info.
The slimey algae you speak of is called Cyanobacteria aka BGA or blue green
algae. IME this seems to pop up when phosphates and Nitrates are out of
whack! I would start adding some Nitrates if I were you, your plants are
hungry. One heaped teaspoon in your tank once or twice a week should be
fine.
Stop using carbon in the filters, let the plants do all the work for you,
carbon is just removing stuff that the plants enjoy.
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**