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Can I turn off lights in the middle of the day?
I agree with Jody on the Phosphate issue. In my experience, excess phosphate
(PO4) causes my worst algae problems. Some foods, pH buffers and fertlizers are very high in phosphates. You can get a phosphate test kit to test for it, and there are several types of phosphate scubbers/sponges that will help to reduce the total amount of phosphates. Algae requires more PO4 than plants grow, so when it gets too high, you get algae instead of plant growth. There is also a plant safe algaecide that can help slow down the algae and give the plants a chance to get the upper hand. "Jody" wrote in message ... Just as quickly as it is adding O2, it is evaporating CO2. Planted tanks almost demand a minimal surface agitation filtration to be successful. I'm afraid your CO2 is not getting used by the plants as much as it could. But you are getting pearling, so obviously some is staying dissolved. I guess the point is: it could be better, and maybe if it was better your plants could compete better. Regarding nutrients, your nitrates appear reasonable, but you don't know your phosphates. You should only be feeding once a day, and only as much as they can eat in five minutes. Goldfish have more mass than other fish and so, they produce more waste. This could be producing excess phosphates. Again, watch those feedings. You have nitrogen and phosphorous covered, but you are not adding any potassium (K). Your plants could be potassium limited, which means they can't absorb the other nutrients without potassium present as well. Flourish has some K, but not too much. You might want to consider finding a supplement with more potassium. Just my two cents. Jody "chet" chet-at-surewestDOTnet wrote in message ... "kush" wrote in message ... Also, I'm not familiar with the bio-wheel power-filter. Is that a mechanical filter that accelerates bacterial breakdown by heavily oxygenating the water? Yes, it is the bio-wheel power-filter. I have it set to the lowest setting (I like quiet). According to the literature, it is designed to provide a high oxygen level to nitrifying bacteria that live on the wheel. It does not generate a lot of surface turbulance. I'll measure CO2 again this evening and get back to you on the numbers My Rotala indica is one of the fastest growing plant in my tanks. At comparable light levels, I'd expect to prune four to six inches off it every week. Is yours growing that fast? It has grown some, but more like two inches in a month. Plus it's getting a little "leggy". The Amazons, Onion plants, and Anacharis are the racehorces in my tank. How much and how often are you changing your water? ~40%-50% every other week. Have you added any phosphate-based products to adjust your pH? None that I am aware of. I have added Seachem "Flourish" and Seachem "Root Tabs" and Hikari goldfish food. I'll get you numbers tonight. Thanks for your help chet |
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