|
| Water changes | |
| | Author | Message |
---|
sunrisor Private
Posts : 6 Location : South east Pennsylvania
| Subject: Water changes 4/14/2014, 9:02 pm | |
| I have a (currently empty) 55 gal planted tank with T5 6700K in 2 24" standard hoods. Lights are on for 9 hours. I had 2-3" of gravel, and used only distilled water. Had mostly Java ferns (only thing that seemed to survive). Marineland canister filter 350 with double bio-wheel.
I had a very bad algae problem, a thick spider web type that (I think) came in when I purchased some live plants. Never had an issue before that. Initially used some fertilizer pellets, but nothing after that.
Water testing always showed everything normal, even PH. I never had a large number of fish at any one time. I've had this setup for more than 10 years and never had an algae issue til I brought in live plants.
I completely emptied my 55 gal., flushed it, then added 6-8 oz of bleach, let it soak overnight then flushed again. I trashed all the ornaments, gravel and all the plants (still have 3 fish, lost several during the winter power failure!)This is not something I wish to do again.
Here is my question (finally): I would add water when the level went down, I would remove about 10% during filter changes, but never vacuumed the gravel. Can someone define a proper water change? Or do I have light/nutrient imbalance. Or should I go back to plastic plants?
I read some stuff about people putting sand, top soil, etc. Don't think I would mind sand, top soil?....Can someone help?
| |
| | | Dr. Who First Lieutenant
Posts : 635 Location : Cancun Mexico
| Subject: Re: Water changes 6/20/2014, 9:31 pm | |
| The key to growing plants is light. Your 55 gal. tank is a little tall for the light to be strong enough to get to the bottom.
Why are you using distilled water?
When you say other plants what are you talking about. What types of plants?
Crypts and hygropholia should grow in a 55 gal. Amazon Swords will require more light.
You should also have some fish in your aquarium to produce fertilizer for plant.
Plants eat the final process of your cycle. Nitrites.
Water changes should be 25 percent every week.
Algae is coming from phosphorus and not enough plants to out compete the algae. | |
| | | | Water changes | |
|
Similar topics | |
|
| Permissions in this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| Who is online? | In total there are 17 users online :: 0 Registered, 0 Hidden and 17 Guests :: 2 Bots
None
Most users ever online was 885 on 4/28/2021, 6:39 am
|
Latest topics | » New To Site by Bishop 9/2/2022, 1:33 pm
» I'm BACK !!!!! by KMX 2/28/2019, 2:26 pm
» USA coming back? by lgsasquatch 1/12/2019, 9:06 pm
» -SL- Terrys Stocklist by Terry 1/9/2019, 9:36 am
» A look a my Set up! by BBurton 1/8/2019, 8:55 pm
» Send in your January POTM contest pics by ilicurtisili 1/7/2019, 1:55 am
» Salutations by BFinley 2/19/2017, 11:52 am
» Hello everyone by daenduckstreek 1/13/2017, 8:07 pm
» Hypancistrus (Colony Only) Sale - Shipping available - Allen TX by katiebear22 5/9/2015, 4:55 pm
» WTB L46 Zebra Plecos 2.5" or larger by katiebear22 5/9/2015, 4:53 pm
» algae prob please help!!! by wblueus 1/1/2015, 9:06 pm
» New to Fishbox by MitziK 12/28/2014, 9:57 pm
» Hello! by DreamFa11 12/26/2014, 3:06 pm
» -SL- proyect01 by proyect01 8/31/2014, 10:52 pm
» New to this forum by proyect01 8/31/2014, 10:49 pm
» Newbie by proyect01 8/31/2014, 10:46 pm
» Howdy...again! by proyect01 8/31/2014, 10:44 pm
» Hi Everyone by proyect01 8/31/2014, 10:43 pm
» Fort Myers, FL New Member by proyect01 8/31/2014, 10:40 pm
» Hello by proyect01 8/31/2014, 10:38 pm
» people in the dfw area. by koicrazy 8/8/2014, 3:12 pm
» where is the best place to get food for baby bettas? by Dr. Who 6/20/2014, 9:32 pm
» Water changes by Dr. Who 6/20/2014, 9:31 pm
» Anyone interested in - Samazi Frontosa - Mechanicsville, VA by Vikings 28 6/12/2014, 8:22 am
» Looking to buy Frontosa's by Vikings 28 6/12/2014, 8:17 am
|
|