My aquarium

[John.D]

Hi all,

Having recently joined this forum, and seen the help readily available, I thought it best to start a journal where I can reach out to you guys for any help and tips.

Got a tank just over 18months ago for my kids. Typically, it then became my responsibility to look after. Turns out I quite enjoyed having this little piece of nature in my kitchen.

It was only a small tank, but I tried my hand at growing plants… had some success and failures. Managed to somehow breed a vast amount of shrimp without my guppies devouring them. YouTube helped me out a lot in looking after my aquarium and inspired me to go a little further.

This was my aquarium at the time.

 

[John.D]

At Christmas I got myself a Oase Highline tank. It’s got CO2, oase filter - all pictured below.

I went to aquarium gardens and the guys there were patient with me and got my all the stuff I needed to get set up and going. I also transferred some plants from my tank to the new.

I got the tank cycled, plants were growing great, slowly introduced fish. 50% water changes every week. And everything was going pretty well for while.
CO2 on at 11:00 off at 21:00
Light on at 13:00 off at 22:00

Fish:
More shrimp than I count
6 x Oto
16 x cardinals
6 x sparkling gourami
7 x guppies
5 x rams
2 x dwarf gourami
Loads of pest snails

 

[John.D]

Put a thread up here regarding some dying plants - got some advice on fertiliser and purchased TNC - I’m only on my third day of using it.

Still baffled with the ferts - chemistry was never my strong point. But just trying to do the best I can. Man has been growing plants since the dawn of time, so figure that I could manage it 😬.

I’m seeing more black beard algae every day. I do pick it out weekly off hardscape, but now seeing it on some plants.

Thinking of getting some Ramshorn snails and Armano shrimp to help.

And that’s where I am currently at….

 

[hypnogogia]

BBA is always difficult to deal with as the causes are not completely understood. Stability of CO2 certainly seems to play a role, as do excessive organics, hence the importance of weekly 50% water changes and regular filter maintenance on high tech tanks.

 

[John.D]

I do the 50% and regular filter maintenance. I have ordered a new CO2 indicator today, should come tomorrow.

I saw 2 Hr Aquarist by ADT looks to solve it via chemicals. Could be an option if I can’t get on top of it.

 

[G mac]

I'm a fan of and user of 2 Hr Aquarist products but the only chemical I've found that works on Blackbeard Algae is Hydrogen Peroxide.

The Fix has worked for me on Staghorn and other green algaes.

 

[Bradders]

@John.D - are you suffering from this sort of look and feel of the leaves?

 

[John.D]

Yes certainly looks like it’s heading that way.