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#1
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A few more questions
To start with, my tank specs:
So to start with, my tank is 55 gallons - 40" long, 20" tall, 16" wide. I have two single 15 watt 15,000K fluorescent bulbs (30W, I know its low, and I leave it on for 14-16hrs/day to compensate), adequate heating and filtration. I have mixed gravel substrate, rocks, and driftwood in the tank (all aged, all rocks non-porous. In the tank I have a 10" pleco, 4 3" pictus cats, 2 1-1/2" corys, a 4" Siamese flying fox (the useless kind), 2 1" SAE, a betta, 3 1" Otocinclus vittatus, 5 1" lemon tetras, 7 small zebra danios, and 5 2" scissortail rasboras. I have two java ferns, four bunches of val (gigantica and americana) and a couple of amazon sword plants. My donated tank recently (over the last two-three months) went from an old-tank syndrome of nitrate level of over 200ppm to the current 30ppm (thanks to many gradual water changes). Other water stats a ammonia 0, medium water hardness (GH), virtually no temporary hardness (KH), and a pH of around 6.4 or so. I also had a significant problem with black brush algae, but I've manually removed most of it from the tanks, and plan on letting the plants and the SAE oust the remaining parts (plus my pH has dropped from 7.3 ish). My java ferns are both doing very well, as are my Amazon swords (after almost being overcome by BBA, the removal of dead/covered leaves seems to have prompted reasonable new growth). My questions a 1- My vals shot up about 4-6" six weeks ago, but now they appear to be in real trouble. They are developing yellow/brown coloration in the middle of the leaves, then small holes, and then end up splitting into two (much like split ends on hair). Seeing as they grew so well before, I don't think this is due to light problems. I would guess it's one or more of the following: my Otos (who are always munching around the center of these Vals), a depletion of nutrients in the tank (I can't yet afford to buy extra Fe or K kits, but I did initially add Fe fertilizer before I found out about the old-tank water issues, so I imagine there's a lot of nutrients available), or it's the water flow from new hang-on-back filter that I placed in between them to help reduce the nitrate/ammonia levels (but I thought Vals did fine in a modest current). Any suggestions? 2- I am interested in increasing the light in my tank, but don't have a lot of free cash (I'd love to just buy double-bulb hoods). It's a rental house too, so I can't go around mucking with the wiring to put in my own fluorescent lighting. The inside of the light fixture is white- would reflective material make a significant difference (any numbers or percentages)? And would adding an external plant growth light to the top rear side of the aquarium help (so it shone in from the back of the tank)? Or would that just promote a localized growth of algae? 3- I would love to add another couple of plants for aesthetics and to help lick the BBA. Given my set up, I was think of anubias or wendt's crypt on some of my driftwood to compliment the java fern. Any suggestions? 4- Any suggestions on how to get my oto's turned on to zucchini etc., or do I just have to wait (currently, they ignore it while the Flying Fox and SAE munch on it). Thanks very much, Tony |
#2
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So...anybody have any ideas on my questions? Thanks,
Tony "Tony Volk" wrote in message ... To start with, my tank specs: So to start with, my tank is 55 gallons - 40" long, 20" tall, 16" wide. I have two single 15 watt 15,000K fluorescent bulbs (30W, I know its low, and I leave it on for 14-16hrs/day to compensate), adequate heating and filtration. I have mixed gravel substrate, rocks, and driftwood in the tank (all aged, all rocks non-porous. In the tank I have a 10" pleco, 4 3" pictus cats, 2 1-1/2" corys, a 4" Siamese flying fox (the useless kind), 2 1" SAE, a betta, 3 1" Otocinclus vittatus, 5 1" lemon tetras, 7 small zebra danios, and 5 2" scissortail rasboras. I have two java ferns, four bunches of val (gigantica and americana) and a couple of amazon sword plants. My donated tank recently (over the last two-three months) went from an old-tank syndrome of nitrate level of over 200ppm to the current 30ppm (thanks to many gradual water changes). Other water stats a ammonia 0, medium water hardness (GH), virtually no temporary hardness (KH), and a pH of around 6.4 or so. I also had a significant problem with black brush algae, but I've manually removed most of it from the tanks, and plan on letting the plants and the SAE oust the remaining parts (plus my pH has dropped from 7.3 ish). My java ferns are both doing very well, as are my Amazon swords (after almost being overcome by BBA, the removal of dead/covered leaves seems to have prompted reasonable new growth). My questions a 1- My vals shot up about 4-6" six weeks ago, but now they appear to be in real trouble. They are developing yellow/brown coloration in the middle of the leaves, then small holes, and then end up splitting into two (much like split ends on hair). Seeing as they grew so well before, I don't think this is due to light problems. I would guess it's one or more of the following: my Otos (who are always munching around the center of these Vals), a depletion of nutrients in the tank (I can't yet afford to buy extra Fe or K kits, but I did initially add Fe fertilizer before I found out about the old-tank water issues, so I imagine there's a lot of nutrients available), or it's the water flow from new hang-on-back filter that I placed in between them to help reduce the nitrate/ammonia levels (but I thought Vals did fine in a modest current). Any suggestions? 2- I am interested in increasing the light in my tank, but don't have a lot of free cash (I'd love to just buy double-bulb hoods). It's a rental house too, so I can't go around mucking with the wiring to put in my own fluorescent lighting. The inside of the light fixture is white- would reflective material make a significant difference (any numbers or percentages)? And would adding an external plant growth light to the top rear side of the aquarium help (so it shone in from the back of the tank)? Or would that just promote a localized growth of algae? 3- I would love to add another couple of plants for aesthetics and to help lick the BBA. Given my set up, I was think of anubias or wendt's crypt on some of my driftwood to compliment the java fern. Any suggestions? 4- Any suggestions on how to get my oto's turned on to zucchini etc., or do I just have to wait (currently, they ignore it while the Flying Fox and SAE munch on it). Thanks very much, Tony |
#3
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Hmm, where to start... Go to www.thekrib.com and read up.
So to start with, my tank is 55 gallons - 40" long, 20" tall, 16" wide. I have two single 15 watt 15,000K fluorescent bulbs (30W, I know its low, and I leave it on for 14-16hrs/day to compensate), adequate heating and Unless your tank is also sitting in a bright window, it has too little light. Longer light duration won't help this much. old-tank syndrome of nitrate level of over 200ppm to the current 30ppm (thanks to many gradual water changes). Other water stats a ammonia 0, Must have been _very_ many changes! But good. 1- My vals shot up about 4-6" six weeks ago, but now they appear to be in real trouble. They are developing yellow/brown coloration in the middle of the leaves, then small holes, and then end up splitting into two (much like split ends on hair). Seeing as they grew so well before, I don't think this is due to light problems. I would guess it's one or more of the following: But I bet it IS a light problem, if only that if you have enough light then the plants can outgrow many other problems. Plants that "shoot up" in low light conditions might be looking for more light. 2- I am interested in increasing the light in my tank, but don't have a lot of free cash (I'd love to just buy double-bulb hoods). It's a rental house too, so I can't go around mucking with the wiring to put in my own fluorescent lighting. Huh? You don't have to mess with the house wiring, just what's inside the tank hood. Try www.ahsupply.com and others for retrofit kits. You should be able to squeeze a pair of 13W compact fluorescent lights in place of each of those 15 watters, and you may be able to fit bigger bulbs in general, like 28 or 36 watters. Ahsupply will tell you how much hood fixture space you'll need for each bulb. The inside of the light fixture is white- would reflective material make a significant difference (any numbers or percentages)? Again, Ahsupply and many other kits come with metal reflectors (which act as heat sinks too for all that extra wattage). Consider cutting extra vents too in your hood to liberate the extra heat off the bulbs. A good reflector gives you at least 60% more light than a crummy, burnt-to-yellow plastic reflector. And would adding an external plant growth light to the top rear side of the aquarium help (so it shone in from the back of the tank)? ANY additional light will help. Putting the tank next to a bright window would help. Or would that just promote a localized growth of algae? Any extra light may give you an algae bloom until the plants can outcompete. Since you were so successful in dropping the nitrates, you could do more water changes when you get the new lighting and that will help mitigate the algae issues. 3- I would love to add another couple of plants for aesthetics and to help lick the BBA. Given my set up, I was think of anubias or wendt's crypt on some of my driftwood to compliment the java fern. Any suggestions? First upgrade your lights, then stock some cheap, fast growing plant like Elodea/Anacharis (which likes iron, BTW), and then when everybody is growing well consider stocking more expensive and finicky plants. Thekrib lists the preferences of various plants. Good luck with it, Mike |
#4
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Must have been _very_ many changes! But good.
About 4-5 5% changes each week. I didn't want to shock any of the fish or plants! Huh? You don't have to mess with the house wiring, just what's inside the tank hood. Try www.ahsupply.com and others for retrofit kits. You should be able to squeeze a pair of 13W compact fluorescent lights in place of each of those 15 watters, and you may be able to fit bigger bulbs in general, like 28 or 36 watters. Ahsupply will tell you how much hood fixture space you'll need for each Thanks for the link. That actually looks pretty much just like what I was hoping to find. The other DIY links discussed setting up large flourescent lights overheard (hence the need to tamper with wiring), or completely building your own fixtures from scratch (= too much $$$). First upgrade your lights, then stock some cheap, fast growing plant like Elodea/Anacharis (which likes iron, BTW), and then when everybody is growing well consider stocking more expensive and finicky plants. Thekrib lists the preferences of various plants. I'll double-check about those plants and algae eaters. I've read a ton of stuff at thekrib, and many of the linked pages (including mailing lists), and books on the topic, etc., etc. I'm just trying to make sure I'm on the right track before I embark on something so I don't end up wasting my time, or worse, making a problem that didn't exist before. Thanks for the suggestions, Tony |
#5
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"Tony Volk" wrote in message
... To start with, my tank specs: So to start with, my tank is 55 gallons - 40" long, 20" tall, 16" wide. I have two single 15 watt 15,000K fluorescent bulbs (30W, I know its low, and I leave it on for 14-16hrs/day to compensate), adequate heating and filtration. I have mixed gravel substrate, rocks, and driftwood in the tank (all aged, all rocks non-porous. In the tank I have a 10" pleco, 4 3" pictus cats, 2 1-1/2" corys, a 4" Siamese flying fox (the useless kind), 2 1" SAE, a betta, 3 1" Otocinclus vittatus, 5 1" lemon tetras, 7 small zebra danios, and 5 2" scissortail rasboras. I have two java ferns, four bunches of val (gigantica and americana) and a couple of amazon sword plants. My donated tank recently (over the last two-three months) went from an old-tank syndrome of nitrate level of over 200ppm to the current 30ppm (thanks to many gradual water changes). Other water stats a ammonia 0, medium water hardness (GH), virtually no temporary hardness (KH), and a pH of around 6.4 or so. I also had a significant problem with black brush algae, but I've manually removed most of it from the tanks, and plan on letting the plants and the SAE oust the remaining parts (plus my pH has dropped from 7.3 ish). My java ferns are both doing very well, as are my Amazon swords (after almost being overcome by BBA, the removal of dead/covered leaves seems to have prompted reasonable new growth). My questions a 1- My vals shot up about 4-6" six weeks ago, but now they appear to be in real trouble. They are developing yellow/brown coloration in the middle of the leaves, then small holes, and then end up splitting into two (much like split ends on hair). Seeing as they grew so well before, I don't think this is due to light problems. I would guess it's one or more of the following: my Otos (who are always munching around the center of these Vals), a depletion of nutrients in the tank (I can't yet afford to buy extra Fe or K kits, but I did initially add Fe fertilizer before I found out about the old-tank water issues, so I imagine there's a lot of nutrients available), or it's the water flow from new hang-on-back filter that I placed in between them to help reduce the nitrate/ammonia levels (but I thought Vals did fine in a modest current). Any suggestions? 2- I am interested in increasing the light in my tank, but don't have a lot of free cash (I'd love to just buy double-bulb hoods). It's a rental house too, so I can't go around mucking with the wiring to put in my own fluorescent lighting. The inside of the light fixture is white- would reflective material make a significant difference (any numbers or percentages)? And would adding an external plant growth light to the top rear side of the aquarium help (so it shone in from the back of the tank)? Or would that just promote a localized growth of algae? 3- I would love to add another couple of plants for aesthetics and to help lick the BBA. Given my set up, I was think of anubias or wendt's crypt on some of my driftwood to compliment the java fern. Any suggestions? 4- Any suggestions on how to get my oto's turned on to zucchini etc., or do I just have to wait (currently, they ignore it while the Flying Fox and SAE munch on it). Thanks very much, Tony I don't have a specific answer, but here are my thoughts. 1: too little light, you are correct there. Leaving the light on longer does not compensate for intensity though. A simple 48" shoplight with 2-40W bulbs would be a huge improvement over what you have currently.. 2: oto's are not damaging your plants, guaranteed. 3: a 10" plecostomus IS a plant destroyer 4: having a kh of 0 is very dangerous for the fish and harmful for the plants. You need to add some baking soda or some other alkalinity enhancing agent to bring the kh up to at least 3-4°. Your plants need that carbon to live, and your fish need it to help keep the ph stable. This is another big problem. 5: have you put any fertalizer pellets in the gravel around your root feeding plants? 6: are you dosing any types of liquid fertalizers? -- Margolis http://web.archive.org/web/200302152...qs/AGQ2FAQ.htm http://www.unrealtower.org/faq |
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