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#16
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Will the amount of plants determine the amount I have to use of the
fertilizers, etc? My theory on the algae thins is that I do not have many plants and the algae is beating the plants for nutrients, etc. Does this makes sense? "Elaine T" wrote in message . .. Pedro wrote: I currently use liquid CO2. My plants have shown growth. It is only the algae bothering me. I will try changing the bulb. Do you recommend liquid CO2 everyday? Thanks The ONLY liquid CO2 product that I can recommend with any confidence is Flourish Excel. Use it according to the directions on the bottle. -- Elaine T __ http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__ rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com |
#17
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Pedro wrote:
Will the amount of plants determine the amount I have to use of the fertilizers, etc? My theory on the algae thins is that I do not have many plants and the algae is beating the plants for nutrients, etc. Does this makes sense? According to the brand I use (KENT), it say 1-3 doses a week, depending on how heavily the tank is planted. It doesn't get any more specific than that. But as far as I know, fertilizer specifically formulated for aquarium plants shouldn't promote algae growth. Unlike ordinary garden fertilizer (like Miracle Gro), it doesn't contain phosphates which algae like to feed on. Some people, in an effort to save money, do like to use Miracle Gro to fertilize their water plants. But as well as containing algae-promoting phosphates, it also has ammonia in it which is bad for fish. You could try and stop using fertilizer for a month or two and see if has any effect. As long as you provide sufficient lighting, I don't think your plants will suffer. - Logic316 "I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." -- General George S. Patton |
#18
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Logic316 wrote:
Pedro wrote: Will the amount of plants determine the amount I have to use of the fertilizers, etc? My theory on the algae thins is that I do not have many plants and the algae is beating the plants for nutrients, etc. Does this makes sense? According to the brand I use (KENT), it say 1-3 doses a week, depending on how heavily the tank is planted. It doesn't get any more specific than that. But as far as I know, fertilizer specifically formulated for aquarium plants shouldn't promote algae growth. Unlike ordinary garden fertilizer (like Miracle Gro), it doesn't contain phosphates which algae like to feed on. Some people, in an effort to save money, do like to use Miracle Gro to fertilize their water plants. But as well as containing algae-promoting phosphates, it also has ammonia in it which is bad for fish. You could try and stop using fertilizer for a month or two and see if has any effect. As long as you provide sufficient lighting, I don't think your plants will suffer. - Logic316 Try reading Tom Barr's Estimative Index fertilizing method at http://www.barrreport.com. You have to register for free to read it, and it's well worthwhile. Use EI dosing for a "low uptake" tank and you'll be fine. I also believe that Tom has demonstrated reasonably well that phosphate does not cause algae. I haven't hunted down all the publications yet in his EI article, but the real culprit appears to be ammonia. Tanks with lots of rapidly-growing plants outcompete algae for any ammonia that the filter doesn't immediately convert to nitrate. -- Elaine T __ http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__ rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com |
#19
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Elaine T wrote:
Try reading Tom Barr's Estimative Index fertilizing method at http://www.barrreport.com. You have to register for free to read it, and it's well worthwhile. Use EI dosing for a "low uptake" tank and you'll be fine. I also believe that Tom has demonstrated reasonably well that phosphate does not cause algae. I haven't hunted down all the publications yet in his EI article, but the real culprit appears to be ammonia. Tanks with lots of rapidly-growing plants outcompete algae for any ammonia that the filter doesn't immediately convert to nitrate. Here's the direct URL to "The Estimative Index of Dosing" article: http://www.barrreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1 You don't need to register unless you're going in through their homepage, heh heh. Very interesting. That ammonia can be bad, bad stuff even in tiny concentrations. I'm still kind of skeptical about phosphates not causing algae though. Despite his meticulous looking data, Tom appears to be the only guy who claims that. I guess we just have to try it out for ourselves. - Logic316 "Bureaucracy: The process of turning energy into solid waste." |
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