Hi all,

Can someone please help, I have a 40 gal juwel tank that came complete with
filter heater etc. It has 2 bulbs, I don't have a clue what this means lol
but it says on them LT 25w / 030 30" warmwhite. The temp of my tank is set
at 76f / 24c and it has normal gravel in it. My fish seem really happy and
healthy but my plants are getting stained brown and some are decomposing
slowly. I am doing regular water changes and all the readings of my water
are fine. I am also having problems getting rid of algae, in my tank I have
1 figure eight puffer, 4 pygmy puffers, 3 clown loaches, 2 otos and a pleco.

As you can tell I am very new to this game and am getting very frustrated,
If anyone can help I would be very thankful.

Caz

See this page for the most common problems beginners have with plants:

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/.../881/dying.htm


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

See this page for the most common problems beginners have with plants:

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/.../881/dying.htm


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

Caz,
There are three important issues in order to have a successful planted tank:
1. Most important is Light!anywhere between 1.5 - 3.5/4 watts per gallon.
2. Carbon dioxide - not a must! (Some will doubt me over here) but very
important for healthy growth.
3. Temperature - In your case is ok
Other important add-ons are fine gravel and fertilizers as liquid and/or in
the gravel itself.
There are some excellent sites you can also refer to, books and...
Newsgroups!
You should not get frustrated at all - You just have to read a bit, and your
back on track.

I personally own a 100gallon Juwel planted tank, and started just like you
once....

Amit
"Caz" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

Can someone please help, I have a 40 gal juwel tank that came complete
with
filter heater etc. It has 2 bulbs, I don't have a clue what this means lol
but it says on them LT 25w / 030 30" warmwhite. The temp of my tank is set
at 76f / 24c and it has normal gravel in it. My fish seem really happy
and
healthy but my plants are getting stained brown and some are decomposing
slowly. I am doing regular water changes and all the readings of my water
are fine. I am also having problems getting rid of algae, in my tank I
have
1 figure eight puffer, 4 pygmy puffers, 3 clown loaches, 2 otos and a
pleco.

As you can tell I am very new to this game and am getting very frustrated,
If anyone can help I would be very thankful.

Caz

Caz,

If you have algae then you do have excess P or N, or not enough CO2.
Do not trust the test kits, use them but watch and trust the plants
more. The plants (and algae) will tell you if something is wrong.

A tank with P and N that are indeed close to zero (say a heavily
planted, well lit tank, with a few fish) does NOT have algae.

The best approach is to not try to fight the algae but to make sure
the plants are bubbling and growing. If they do it is only a matter
of time for the tank to clear up from algae.


--Nikolay

Caz,

If you have algae then you do have excess P or N, or not enough CO2.
Do not trust the test kits, use them but watch and trust the plants
more. The plants (and algae) will tell you if something is wrong.

A tank with P and N that are indeed close to zero (say a heavily
planted, well lit tank, with a few fish) does NOT have algae.

The best approach is to not try to fight the algae but to make sure
the plants are bubbling and growing. If they do it is only a matter
of time for the tank to clear up from algae.


--Nikolay

"nikolay_kraltchev" wrote in message A
tank with P and N that are indeed close to zero (say a heavily
planted, well lit tank, with a few fish) does NOT have algae.

The best approach is to not try to fight the algae but to make sure
the plants are bubbling and growing. If they do it is only a matter
of time for the tank to clear up from algae.

Hey Nikolay

I would have to disagree with you slightly. A tank with low N & P will more
than likely have severe algae problems. Do the math. No nutrients = no plant
growth. No plant growth = ALGAE.

How do you expect your plants to pearl and grow if you don't feed them??
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**