Re: Fluval Studio 900... FTS video.
Well a couple of weeks ago i suffered a serious crypt melt which affected every crypt species i have
🙁 .
It got worse from here, some completely melting away, and approx. 10 balansae stems needed to be removed, not good considering they took so long to settle.
I was a little disheartened to say the least, and rescape entered my mind! However prior to the melt the tank was looking at its best so i decided to knuckle down, do a bit of ukaps research and find out what was the cause .
Since setting the tank up ive had repeated crypt melt, normally only minor though and its always bugged me. Knowing crypts to be slightly sensitive to changing water perameters i blamed ph swings due to c02. Then from posting in the plants section of ukaps after this major melt, found a possible alternative :idea: . Mg and Ca defficiency, probably due to my soft water area. I had also prior to the crypt melt stopped using buffers as was tired of chasing water perameters. The G6 showed a changing water condition as my conductivity reading dropped considerably over the course of 2 weeks worth of water changes. This should have set alarm bells ringing in my head
🙄 . Anyway, to cut a long story short, im now dosing sera mineral salts weekly to up Mg, Ca and K levels and the crypts are recovering well.
I have also noticed holes in some of the crypt leaves which i put down to a potassium deficiency, this also seems rectified by the addition of the mineral salts which contain K and easy life potassium fertiliser, as new leaves are hole free. However, i now have some deformation effecting new leaf growth on the crypts, and curling of the leaves on the hygrophila pinnatifida. After my c02 ran out, finding a refill in my area and the crypt melt issue, i had left c02 introduction at a low level, a dark green DC. I now am trying to get the c02 spot on as i feel this is the first step in correcting the issues im having.
Im also considering a move away from TPN+ as a fertiliser and onto EI for both its 'providing in excess' nutrient benefits and also financial ones! Ill wait and see how the tank fares when ive got the c02 spot on first though, as i may have been adding and excess of TPN+, and may be able to reduce the current dosage whilst maintaining good results.
Anyway, things are now back on track, and after a recent trip to TGM, i have a couple of new species to try. Ive added some anubias petite to the most central branch as itll be a nice contrast to the moss and microsorum that are already spreading nicely along the adjacent branches. Also i have some hygrophila polysperma rosenvig, which admittedly is too bright for this tank and sticks out like a sore thumb! Perhaps a more suitable location would make it fit in more. I also purchased some hydrocotle sp. Japan, which is lovely but i fear will become rummy nose food, or not receive enough light at the substrate to thrive..... we can only try to see what works.
Anyway the water is clearer than it has ever been with the addition of purigen, the harlequins have been breeding, and im now in a much better frame of mind, satisfied to have addressed some of the issues im having.
😀
A couple of pics of how its now looking.
Cheerio,
Ady.
im looking at max £200.... any suggestions? Its a family camera really, im no photographer and need something relitively simple but offering decent enough quality for the tank shots. 
Ive been looking at the panasonic TZ18, TZ20 (for HD video capabilities) and equivalent canon which i cant remember the model.
