Possible BBA and a host of questions

[sparkyweasel]

. Sessiflora I see in the 4th image you've pasted is almost yellow - assuming this is how it looks in reality it's definitely NO3 deficient

Well spotted! I think that confirms what we suspected.
@Marcus_F I think you should get a good, complete fertiliser, eg TNC Complete, and start by dosing as per the instructions to keep things simple. Combined with your new plants, I think that will be a great help. Personally, I wouldn't change anything else just yet, but see how things go for a while. I don't like changing too many things at once as it's hard to tell which change is having what effect.
Later on, you can worry about ppms and ratios, and eventually we will convert you to mixing your own ferts. 🙂

 

[Kezzab]

I think such a large water changes are completely unnecessary. Just increase your NO3 and PO4, wait few weeks and that's it.

That's good a point. My comment about 50% was more for a co2 injected tank. But it wouldnt hurt to some larger water changes initially then once tank is settled and growing scale back on size and frequency.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

Morning @Marcus_F

Firstly, I see in post number 15 what looks like a a powerhead at the back pointed at the surface? If so this is a good move, given you’re not injecting Co2 there’s no reason to avoid a decent amount of surface agitation. Good gas exchange from ‘adequate’ surface agitation in a non-Co2 tank will pay dividends in the long run. Your plants, fish and bacteria can only benefit from a constant topping up of oxygen as well as other gases from the air.

Also, with your filter outlet being a jet style it can be difficult to get even flow around a cube aquarium. Tends to be very concentrated output with a jet. The gentle sway of the plants that you’re aiming for tends to be a few plants bopping like a raver, with others out of of the flow standing still with minimal flow across them. Too much direct flow stresses plants, whilst not enough can lead to distribution problems of nutrients and dissolved gases.

One improvement would be to point the powerhead and the jet towards the front glass so it drives water downwards and back along the bottom towards your plants. Watch your plants in this flow and try to get them moving as equally as possible, gentle swaying. The powerhead and jet will also draw water up from the back along with your intake, hopefully creating a circular and even flow around the tank.


Second, that’s a fair few fish... If you’re feeding everyday reduce their feed or even better skip a day between feeds. They’ll be hungrier and less likely to let food settle and pollute your water column. This is only a presumption that there’s excess food, ignore if it isn’t a factor.

Thirdly, water changes. If your tank is struggling to grow plants you will invariably have organics from those plants rotting into your water column. Your algae will love this, your plants, not so much. Not sure the reasoning for using RO/Tap mix but if it’s feasible you could just go tap water and do larger water changes (50% plus) until your tank bounces back. It’s easier using tap and therefore more likely to get done. If your tank was thriving then I would say you could reduce the amount, but the water changes from personal experience are your ticket out. No better filter than a water change under the current circumstances.

Finally, ferts. I’m a fan of KISS, keep it simple stupid. As others have said - using an all in one, comprehensive fertiliser like TNC Complete once per day before lights on will make your life simple. You’re running a low tech system so following the instructions on the bottle with what to dose will do the job.

- Gas exchange
- Even circulation
- Minimal feeding of fish until plants are thriving
- Larger water changes until plants are growing well
- Daily comprehensive fertilisation

The above is pretty much free or cheap to implement. Wishing you a healthy tank ahead.

 

[Marcus_F]

Yes it's sessiflora and it is yellow, the top two branches are fine as is new growth but older branches are all light green/yellow.

It is a power head yes, currently off since the new plants were added as I didnt want to unsettle them. I already have 5 bunches floating this morning from being disturbed overnight I'll need to replant. Are there any tricks to planting bunches without weights? I'm useless at using tweezers, I push the stem in, pull it out and up comes the plant with me. I usually resort to two fingers pushing stem in then free fingers to travel and shift the gravel around the side. Try and get the stem 2" down and usually do that, just don't seem to hold. That's why I'm worried about the power head, as it's a cube tank the flow is quite strong. I got it to a point where it was working in tandem with the filter jet to meet at the front of the glass. I then get to see the current down both sides of the wood and did see a much better waving of all the plants especially the vallis at the back. The two front corners took a big impact though, was struggling to keep the sessiflora upright.

The RO/Tap mix is for the benefit of the fish I keep and want to keep due and my extremely hard water.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

the flow is quite strong.

So it’s possible high flow is underpinning your problems. Is it possible to get a spray bar for your filters outlet? Did it come with a spray bar you can use to dispense the flow more evenly and effectively?

Are there any tricks to planting bunches without weights? I'm useless at using tweezers, I push the stem in, pull it out and up comes the plant with me.

All tweezers aren’t equal. Some are infuriating, others a pleasure to use.

As for technique... plant into the substrate at a slight angle, 40-45 degrees. Plant deep. Give it a wiggle before releasing the stem so the substrate settles in. Remove gently. If you plant straight down the stem will go whooshing straight out at the earliest opportunity.

I usually resort to two fingers pushing stem in then free fingers to travel and shift the gravel around the side.

This disturbance of the substrate needs to be followed by a water change. Turfing up your substrate does lead to some algae issues I’m afraid.

 

[Marcus_F]

Thanks the high flow won't be related to current issues, the power head is only 4 or so days old. No spray bar attachment with it, but could look into adding one if it's possible, have heard good things about them.

Thanks for the tips on planting, I try and plant during the water change period as water level is lower.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

but could look into adding one if it's possible

Here you go @Marcus_F

https://www.pond-planet.co.uk/aquarium-c4/media-spares-c113/aquarium-spare-parts-c100/fluval-0607-external-filter-spray-bar-kit-p3398/s5515?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=fluval-0607-external-filter-spray-bar-kit-a234&utm_campaign=product+listing+ads&cid=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImNTrgsH56QIVW-ztCh0S1w77EAQYASABEgKI9_D_BwE

Get you some decent surface agitation and even flow.

 

[Marcus_F]

Great thanks, wasn't expecting that price, in my head I thought £100 so nice surprise.

This removes the need for the power heard then as it's too strong? I was looking to keep gravel clean and no dead spots for waste to settle specifically at the back at the base of the vallis.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

Great thanks, wasn't expecting that price, in my head I thought £100 so nice surprise.

It says 607 rather than 307 so check to see if there’s any diameter difference. Just pulled up that link as it was first one up, but yes, inexpensive solution!

This removes the need for the power heard then as it's too strong?

From what you were saying earlier about direct concentrated flow causing issues with regards to lifting plants, yes, would be inclined to remove the power head and see what just the spray bar can do for your tank teamed up with the fluval 307 filter first.

I was looking to keep gravel clean and no dead spots for waste to settle specifically at the back at the base of the vallis.

This is why larger or more regular water changes during this current period can be helpful. (Very) gently wafting your hand over the area to raise any detritus and siphoning it out with each water change. With repetition the tank will get progressively clearer of decaying matter.

 

[Marcus_F]

Spray bar is in, making a bit of a whistling noise, got to take a look at some of the connections again tomorrow to see if I can make it silent.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

Could be trapped air.

Let us know how it goes @Marcus_F

 

[Marcus_F]

Add some more plants, one more Cryptocoryne petchii For the front along with two Schismatoglottis prietoi and finally two Anubias Petite on the wood.



Not sure if Anubis is ok like this, just slid into position, not attached as it seems ok ish.

 

[rebel]

What's the status of the lagae now? I can't see the detail on your pics. Was it BBA or staghorn?

 

[Marcus_F]

I think it was isolated down to hair algae and it's early days but on the Vallis I think it's going. I don't want to get ahead of myself and celebrate just yet so trying to remain neutral. Doesn't appear to be any new algae on the new plants but they've only been in under a week so again I'm not getting ahead of myself just yet. The Sessiflora has a lot of new growth which in the past has never happened (this is my 2nd attempt at this plant) so that's also promising.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

Hopefully flow is improved now @Marcus_F

Are you fertilising as before or trying a comprehensive fertiliser/regime now?

 

[Marcus_F]

Yep flow looks good, getting a gentle movement of all plants without blasting one of two which the power head did.

I've not picked up the complete stuff, ditched Excel stuff but using Seachem NKP (three separate bottles) purely because I spent £30 on them only to be told to keep it simple and try TNC. Once one of these bottles gets low I'll switch to TNC but it seems a waste as they were all only opened last week.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

using Seachem NKP (three separate bottles) purely because I spent £30 on them only to be told to keep it simple and try TNC.

Well that’s your macro NPK sorted.

You could just add Seachem flourish to the set for your micro nutrients. It also has calcium and magnesium in as well. Tenner for a bottle. Done.

Dose your NPK one day, flourish the next, then NPK again... alternating. Problem solved.

 

[Marcus_F]

i've been doing as per the bottles say, adding Nitrate two days a week, phosphorous bottle 3 times a week and have Ferropol for micro done midweek and at water changes.

 

[jaypeecee]

Hi @Marcus_F

I'm pleased to see that you are making good progress.

You could just add Seachem flourish to the set for your micro nutrients.

Good suggestion.

...ditched Excel stuff...

A source of carbon will still be needed - particularly with bright lighting. Just my two penn'orth.

JPC 🙂

 

[Marcus_F]

Thanks what other options of Carbon are available as I think Vallis and the egeria densa don't like Excel.

Maybe I should take the plunge and go CO2 🙂