PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build
- Thread starter PEMfish
- Start date
minicrazy592
Member
Good to hear. Personally I would stop dosing all together for a week or two, then slowly start it up again.
PEMfish
Well-Known Member
I have the algae down alot. It got really bad when I was gone, but its not too much of a problem now. Things Ive done;
-Cut lighting ( I am down to 6 hours a day on the main lights, 7 on the 6th bulb. The bulk of the cut back was done about 2 - 3 weeks ago. )
-Increased flow ( I didn't even realize I did this when I did. I swapped out for a bigger pump because even though I was happy with the flow of the smaller one it was to much stress for it handle. I did this maybe 4 months ago. I didnt think it made to much of a difference at the time but looking at the long term trends it might have. )
-Increased CO2 ( The system shut down when I was gone so it went from 0 to normal levels about a month ago. I also upped normal levels. About two weeks ago I had a CO2 accident leaving the valve open all night. Wow did that ever piss the algae off! )
-Changed dosing ( I was upping it with good results but may have over done it because last week I cut dosing down and this week I eliminated it with good results. )
-Increased maintenance ( When I was gone little to none was preformed. I have not increased maintenance from normal levels but bringing it back up to normal levels has done alot. ( Normal = 20g W/C per week and whatever else needs to be done; algae removal, gravel siphoning, trimming...)
-Cut lighting ( I am down to 6 hours a day on the main lights, 7 on the 6th bulb. The bulk of the cut back was done about 2 - 3 weeks ago. )
-Increased flow ( I didn't even realize I did this when I did. I swapped out for a bigger pump because even though I was happy with the flow of the smaller one it was to much stress for it handle. I did this maybe 4 months ago. I didnt think it made to much of a difference at the time but looking at the long term trends it might have. )
-Increased CO2 ( The system shut down when I was gone so it went from 0 to normal levels about a month ago. I also upped normal levels. About two weeks ago I had a CO2 accident leaving the valve open all night. Wow did that ever piss the algae off! )
-Changed dosing ( I was upping it with good results but may have over done it because last week I cut dosing down and this week I eliminated it with good results. )
-Increased maintenance ( When I was gone little to none was preformed. I have not increased maintenance from normal levels but bringing it back up to normal levels has done alot. ( Normal = 20g W/C per week and whatever else needs to be done; algae removal, gravel siphoning, trimming...)
minicrazy592
Member
Sounds good!
PEMfish
Well-Known Member
I tore my tank apart to try to go for a better aqua scape. Im letting the dust settle so I can see enough to be able to work again now.
So far I have;
-Taken the drift wood out, fixed the lose base ( its bolted to a piece of acrylic sheet ), cleaned it, and buried the base deeper in the substrate.
-Cut the Didiplis Diandra down ( tall plant in the back left ). I kept some of it short in the front to create a carpet, now I am doing that with all of it. When I pulled the huge bundle of healthy plant out I almost cried. I hope I dont regret it.
-Moved the large leaf stem plant back to the middle.
What I plan to do;
-add more drift wood, see links for pics that inspired that
http://bhushandalvi.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/kevins-75g-055-1.jpg
Google Image Result for http://www.projectaquarium.com/aquariumImages/valleyEast_images/small_planted_aquarium_5.jpg
-Go for more small bunches of plants instead of a few big ones
http://upperorchard.net/images/75g/75g42107.jpg
-Attach plants up on all that new drift wood I'm planning on getting. I may pot plants using my substrate in PVC end caps and attaching those to the wood.
(See first 6 pics; Jeff's Aquarium Tour Photo Gallery by Oliver Knott the aqua creator at pbase.com )
So far I have;
-Taken the drift wood out, fixed the lose base ( its bolted to a piece of acrylic sheet ), cleaned it, and buried the base deeper in the substrate.
-Cut the Didiplis Diandra down ( tall plant in the back left ). I kept some of it short in the front to create a carpet, now I am doing that with all of it. When I pulled the huge bundle of healthy plant out I almost cried. I hope I dont regret it.
-Moved the large leaf stem plant back to the middle.
What I plan to do;
-add more drift wood, see links for pics that inspired that
http://bhushandalvi.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/kevins-75g-055-1.jpg
Google Image Result for http://www.projectaquarium.com/aquariumImages/valleyEast_images/small_planted_aquarium_5.jpg
-Go for more small bunches of plants instead of a few big ones
http://upperorchard.net/images/75g/75g42107.jpg
-Attach plants up on all that new drift wood I'm planning on getting. I may pot plants using my substrate in PVC end caps and attaching those to the wood.
(See first 6 pics; Jeff's Aquarium Tour Photo Gallery by Oliver Knott the aqua creator at pbase.com )
minicrazy592
Member
Thats what I'm talking about!
minicrazy592
Member
Hooray for pics!
PEMfish
Well-Known Member
minicrazy592
Member
Wow nice.
I think this is the first full shot of your tank we have seen in a long time.
I think this is the first full shot of your tank we have seen in a long time.
