Pysgodyn
Member
Hi All,
more questions from a confused newbie. (i'll try to give useful background detail)
I have a lowish tech panted tank (juwel int pump) (2*18w t8), not super heavy planted, but a fair amount there (will get a recent photo later)
well, I got some trident microsorum / java fern a few weeks ago, as well as some 'mini java fern' from TGM, whose tanks I think are slightly acidic, but not sure. has looked fine for a few weeks, no probs initially (apart from trying to find a space to fit the trident fern in. mini ferns really look nice and fill the tank out nicely.
a change the last week however, the trident is melting badly, the mini, less so but is also loosing leaves.
the other taller (older ) java fern I have is also reacting and growing plantlets at the tips, hadn't really done this in the last 2 months. Argh ! JF is meant to be robust..... what's gone wrong ?
so, things I've done in the last 2 weeks, taken 2 zebra danios out, leaving 4 ottos and 6 WCMM.
week ago gave the filter sponges a gentle rinse (1st time in 3months) in old tank water.
I also moved my koralia 900 circulation pump (was bottom corner, now top corner)
also I've been failing to get the ottos to eat algae flakes and courgette, so a bit more food leftovers about (i do try to hoover up at water change)
last 3 days i've added 5 'gold' WCMM. and another 25% water change. (90 ish litres)
I have turned the tank light on a bit earlier in the day two of three times, so variable light period (normally 6ish hours)
Also dosing 1.5 ml easycarbo everyday and 1-2ml profito every other day.
a little bit more algae in last week, but not loads.
tested the water now, no noticeble ammonia, or nitrites. very little nitrates too - barely any reaction on test strip
(i don't have a phosphate test) ph 7.4, KH 200ish ppm, GH 250ish pmm
is the trident doomed (i think it's more delicate?), is the rest salvageable ?
Is the low nitrate an issue ?
(this is 2 days after a water change.)
should I start using a npk macro fert ? (I'm thinking TNC complete instead of teh profito)
G.
PS decided I didn't want an air stone/pump as too noisy, but tempted to add a verturi
more questions from a confused newbie. (i'll try to give useful background detail)
I have a lowish tech panted tank (juwel int pump) (2*18w t8), not super heavy planted, but a fair amount there (will get a recent photo later)
well, I got some trident microsorum / java fern a few weeks ago, as well as some 'mini java fern' from TGM, whose tanks I think are slightly acidic, but not sure. has looked fine for a few weeks, no probs initially (apart from trying to find a space to fit the trident fern in. mini ferns really look nice and fill the tank out nicely.
a change the last week however, the trident is melting badly, the mini, less so but is also loosing leaves.
the other taller (older ) java fern I have is also reacting and growing plantlets at the tips, hadn't really done this in the last 2 months. Argh ! JF is meant to be robust..... what's gone wrong ?
so, things I've done in the last 2 weeks, taken 2 zebra danios out, leaving 4 ottos and 6 WCMM.
week ago gave the filter sponges a gentle rinse (1st time in 3months) in old tank water.
I also moved my koralia 900 circulation pump (was bottom corner, now top corner)
also I've been failing to get the ottos to eat algae flakes and courgette, so a bit more food leftovers about (i do try to hoover up at water change)
last 3 days i've added 5 'gold' WCMM. and another 25% water change. (90 ish litres)
I have turned the tank light on a bit earlier in the day two of three times, so variable light period (normally 6ish hours)
Also dosing 1.5 ml easycarbo everyday and 1-2ml profito every other day.
a little bit more algae in last week, but not loads.
tested the water now, no noticeble ammonia, or nitrites. very little nitrates too - barely any reaction on test strip
(i don't have a phosphate test) ph 7.4, KH 200ish ppm, GH 250ish pmm
is the trident doomed (i think it's more delicate?), is the rest salvageable ?
Is the low nitrate an issue ?
(this is 2 days after a water change.)
should I start using a npk macro fert ? (I'm thinking TNC complete instead of teh profito)
G.
PS decided I didn't want an air stone/pump as too noisy, but tempted to add a verturi