High Tech Planted Aquarium Difficulties

I am having difficulties with my high tech planted aquarium. I know that it is always a challenge when starting a planted tank, as the balance between plants and algae can be challenging, but it can frustrating when things don't seem to work out from the start. Also a little bonus of an Aquarium Co-op unboxing.

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[rantsandreviews]

HT planted is a marathon, not a sprint. Just stick with it. Once you find the nutrient/light balance you will be grumbling about having to trim the plants all the time. That's a good thing!

[IMObutters]

Something you might be able to try that's worked for me is using a siesta period. I run my lights from 11:00AM to 2:00PM, then from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. The theory for this is that algae takes longer to start photosynthesizing than plants, so it's supposed to cut down on the time that algae can use up the nutrients/light. After doing that and moving my light(Finnex Planted+24/7 CC) up a little more off the top of my tank (20L) I've had effectively zero algae growth on my glass or anything else. As other people have said though, it definitely takes some patience to see how small changes can affect everything and adjusting it until you get the balance just right. Good luck and I look forward to more updates!

[truckinlow]

The key when setting up a newly planted tank is plant heavily, and if using aqua soil do big frequent water changes for the fist 2 weeks to remove extra nutrients that the plants can’t use as they are adapting to new tank. The co2 and light I’d start with about a 6 or 7 hour light cycle and see how it goes from there. Dual fluval lights should not be needed unless you are growing some serious plants. Good luck👍

[HaYNFishKeeper]

Great vid braddah... the tank doesn’t look that bad, it’s looking pretty good I’m liking it 🤙🏽🐠🤙🏽

[BlueWaters]

I have no advice, but thanks for video. My 40 breeder was set up, finally added eco-complete and plants....now trying to find the right LIGHT/NUTRIENTS/CO2 along with a Pleco, 2 Siamese algae eaters, and a Chinese algae eater to assist. You inspired me to do an update on the tank even tho my setup is so backwoods

[TMAquatics]

Z, the algae is easily controlled with the liquid carbon. You can double dose for a week or so and most the algae will disappear if it’s out of control. For future reference, save some money and buy Metricide 14. It has the same active ingredient as Coop’s liquid carbon and Seachem Excel, at a fraction of the cost. The active ingredient is glutaraldehyde. Metricide 14 is like 1.7 times stronger, so you need adjust dosing amounts accordingly. Dry ferts are also much more economical than easy green and liquid ferts. Try adding (even temporarily) some faster growing stem plants to help with the nutrient uptake while the other plants adjust and take off. Try adjusting the photo period to 8-9 hours max (you didn’t disclose how many hours your lights are on). You can also try breaking the photo period into two smaller periods 4-4.5 hour periods with 1+ hour break between the light periods, and adjust based on what the plants tell you (rumored to help with algae control). The Co2 set up will help. Start the gas 1 hour before your lights come on. Cut the gas 1 hour before lights off. Give the root feeders some root tabs. Be patient while the plants adjust. If you start E.I dosing with dry ferts, and with the appropriate light level, your plants will thrive. The 50% weekly water change with E.I. dosing MUST be followed religiously to maintain the balance. Isn’t Tom Barr out in that area? You could always hire him for advice. 💪😉 Cheers and good luck. You’ll figure it out. Oh, be sure to check out The Planted Tank forum, or the Barr Report forum. You’ll find solid advice there. 😉👍

[damionmarkham]

I've kept fish since 1988 and found the plant learning curve more difficult then expected . It takes some time, you will get it, be patient . Tank looks great by the way

[akl_gaming]

Nice video sir thanks. Happy fishkeeping

[GirlTalksFish]

I want to do CO2 someday, but even with low tech, I'm still dealing with different phases of algae one by one. Dialing in everything is hard since the plant load varies over time or I'm adding new species or some other change happens. :P

[aquariumplantman]

Keep the updates coming on the trials and tribulations of the planted tank. I’m interested to see how the tank goes through the algal cycles before you find that happy balance point.🤙

[jdogger]

the melting could just be from adjusting to new water parameters or it could be melting emersed grown leaves. When you get the regulator you should also get some dry ferts and try EI method dosing. My plants weren't doing so great even with co2 but after i tried EI dosing they grow like crazy.

[Scouse.raver]

I have a narite snail in my tank it's smaller than yours but he keeps the alge under control good luck 😀

[vb]

Water changes and over-filter is the way to go.

[edstaart]

Hi Zenzo, I think you have to go easy on the lighting, begin with one Fluval for instance for 6hours a day, when all the plants show growth you can add more hours or more light, but take it easy or alge wins and might kill your plants. In the period of melting plants alge is almost waiting to get them. You might put in some cheap super fast growing plants as a example of you adding the right amount of light and co2 and liquid furts. Really regulate your co2, adding now and then and even at night is not getting in control. I heard you are gonna. Try and take it easy ; no fun but the way to go for me. Good luck and enjoy it. A uv light could kill some beginners alge( floating)

[johngonzalez]

Starting a new planted tank has its ups and downs.
I alway start of with low ferts and work my way up. Looks like you have enough light.

[philthytanks]

Has the CO2 helped against the algae? I’ve been having some algae issues in my larger planted tanks and am thinking of giving CO2 a try. Well, from 1 San Fran fish keeper to another, best of luck with the plants!

[anthonyragan]

You're almost always going to get melting with plants, some worse than others. I wouldn't be concerned, but keep an eye out for new growth. As long as you see new leaves, you'll be fine. Good decision to use pressurized CO2: it made a heckuva difference in my tank. Be sure to put it on a timer to start the CO2 one hour before the lights come on and end it one hour before they go off. Your plants will appreciate the regularity, and this will help them out compete the algae.

[bojoford]

I run 13 hours of light with double the recommended amount of ferts and I have no algae issues. Also any fert with carbon in it will combat the algae. I forgot why but I know there’s some science behind that. As far as lighting goes I find that one fluval plant 3.0 works good in tall and deep tanks.

[SalmanKhan-vybm]

For the budget friendly aquarist, I would recommend simply "upgrading" your slow release CO2 container to a large gatorade bottle instead of that vase.

[Beursblik]

I'm a noob but seems to me too much light, too much nutrients, and too few plants. Setting up a new 47 gallon tank and man so many doubts about the substrate, which one do you use? Definately going to follow you with your tank to learn how you tackle the initial problems, many doubts too. CO2 with soil is really necessary I guess, so will have to buy a system too.