*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.
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"Jolly Fisherman" wrote in message
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On Fri, 16 Jun 2006 17:23:02 -0500, Köi-Lö ¤1¤ôx@ôÜ1Ô.ôôô wrote:
No, I haven't tried it. They don't sell it locally and it's out of sight
online when they add S&H charges. I can't afford to try everything out
there. I spent quite a bit on all the Sechem Flourish products and the
effect wasn't long lasting. After the initial "boost," things went back
to
where they were. The plecos and otos are helping but the "black" stuff is
still there.

I've only seen the extract in 1 or 2 aquarium specialty shops locally
(different state of course) and it's out of sight. True the shipping
and handling of either a bale or the extract makes it absurd unless
you are already ordering other things at the time.

It's just not worth the expense. I tried what was suggested here and that
was enough expense for plants. :-) The plants that were doing well before
all these supplements are still doing well, in fact have improved somewhat
but all the new plants either failed or are failing despite the Seachem
additives (micro-nutrients, Excel, iron etc) and extra light fixtures on the
tanks.

The sooty algae stopped growing but by no means did it fall off or turn
white as I expected it to do. The plecs and otos removed most if it.
Then
it was replaced by this black wiry looking stuff. Meanwhile the plants
are
looking pooped again. The Amazon swords have stopped growing and the
leaves
are getting narrower and smaller. Only the vals are really thriving. I
do
add extra potassium but it makes no difference.

It might take some more time to fall off, then again conditions might
still be such that it is still surviving well and choking the plants
(more likely).

Well there is no way I can physically handle more vacuuming and partial
water changes. I've improved the lighting and all the supplements plus
bought the plecos and otos. I feel there isn't anything more I can do at
this time. I took down a 10g tank this week and hope to eliminate another
within a month. I also have two ponds out front and large 150g to 680g
tanks (above ground pools) of fish out back. I'm starting to feel
overwhelmed.... it's getting past being a hobby if you know what I mean.
:-) If I don't cut back somewhere I'll be needing to hire a day laborer
soon.

I use Flourish Excel.

I'm not 100% sure Flourish is truly equivalent to CO2 fertilization.
At least I've been reading conflicting things.

It's probably not but did perk up the plants, especially those that were
doing ok to start with. Or maybe it was the micronutrients that made them a
darker green. The frustrating thing is I ordered more of these products but
then the effects wore off. I added extra potassium but that had no effect
either. My sags are about dead and the Amazon swords look pretty shabby.

Maybe slower release substrate fertilization may be of help for
certain plants?

I just don't have the time and energy to tear these two 55s down and re-do
them. This is the busiest time of the year here.

Isn't Murphy's law a bitch?

YES!!!! :-D LOL!

I know what you mean. :-)) I may just give up and keep those that thrive
without all the expensive supplements - the vals, hornwart, anubia,
elodia,
Java moss and a few slow-growing old crypts I've had for many years. I
suppose I just wanted to see some NEW or different plants in the tanks.

sounds like you had a good system. Maybe if you haven't given up on
experimenting, a tank with mostly tried and true successful plants
adding just a few new experimental plants might work better?

That's kind of what I did. I added some "new" plants to cycled tanks that
were set up about 3 months. That was last winter. The plants in these new
setups (actually the tanks had been in an outbuilding for a few years) had
plants from a few established 10gs to get them started off. Then I bough
some new and different plants to experiment with for a change-of-scenery.
Shortly afterward the black sooty algae reared it's ugly head and from there
it's history. Expensive supplements, Excel, serious gravel vacuuming, water
changes and more water changes, more lighting..... Oddly the water wisteria
is thriving in a 10g and has wasted away in the 55s. A small ASword is
doing ok in a 10g but the ones in the 55s will be gone soon I'm sure.

Even if
the experiments are having a rough time there are enough healthy
plants to out compete algae. It may give you more leeway to either
adjust conditions or decide it's not going to work/worth the effort.

Some that are failing are not covered in algae. Since I stopped feeding the
plecs the algae tabs they did remove some of the wiry algae and this evening
I noticed the plants are "cleaner" if that's the word that fits. After all
is said and done I think I'll stick with the "tried and true" as you call
them. :-)

--
KL....
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.
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