Adrienne Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Over the past 8-10 weeks my 5ft, 450 litre planted tank has suffered from irregular water changes, pruning and a lack of fertilisers causing most known types of algae to develop and detritis to lie on the bottom of the tank and float on the surface. After having a total hip replacement nearly 2 weeks ago I am now in a position to be able to begin to tidy it up, albeit slowly as I am still on crutches for another month and have limited reach and mobility. I thought I would post some before and after photos of my tank to show it can be done and that in most cases outbreaks of algae can be treated without the need to throw out your plants and start again. I will add to this thread as the algae reduces and the plants return to a better state of health. Before the magnetic cleaner was used on the front and side glass of the tank - After the glass cleaning and pick up of loose plant detritis off the bottom and surface of the tank (please note the amount of algae remaining on the wood, plants, filter and heaters. The CO2 diffuser is still on the bottom of the tank as I am as yet unable to reach this. The CO2 has not been running for a couple of months. and some of my fish in the tank with obvious algae in the back ground. I have started dosing flourish excel daily, flourish comprehensive every 2 days and epsom salts each water change - water changes will be increased from every 7-8 days to hopefully every 3-4 days depending on my husbands availability to assist me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzyJeff Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Beaut tank!! Please - Can you tell me why you are using epsom salts at each water change? and at what dose rate? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 I use the epsom salts because it was recommended to me - it is magnesium sulphate and it has improved my plants health a lot. 1 tsp per 200 litres when doing a water change. I normally change 50% of my tank each time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwan Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Nice work Adrienne, it's amazing how just giving the glass a good clean can improve the tanks overall look, and also how you feel about it. Looking forward to updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 that is very cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzyJeff Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 I use the epsom salts because it was recommended to me - it is magnesium sulphate and it has improved my plants health a lot. 1 tsp per 200 litres when doing a water change. I normally change 50% of my tank each time. Thanks Adrienne, I might give that a try - I have discus in my 200l tanks and the plants don't do as well as my 100l tank (prob the T8 vs T5 lighting to blame) I see your Discus don't appear any worse for wear so am going to copy your regime :thup: Would I be right in thinking that when I do a 50% water change I am to put in half a teaspoon? It would be very cool if you can post progress pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Jazzyjeff - yes, half a teaspoon. It won't harm the fish and if you don't see improved growth with your plants then I would stop it. It has helped with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzyJeff Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Jazzyjeff - yes, half a teaspoon. It won't harm the fish and if you don't see improved growth with your plants then I would stop it. It has helped with mine. I'll give it a go & let ya kno... thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 I spy your pygmy cories out and about with the ember tetras, they don't seem phased being in a big tank with big fish :love: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navarre Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 I think it looks horrid youneed practice I have a tank you can practice on until you get it right Isnt that nice of me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 I think it looks horrid youneed practice I have a tank you can practice on until you get it right Isnt that nice of me always a charmer & helpful :gigl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 :lol: Coming down your way in a few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navarre Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 great is odd weather atm hope this trip is better than last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostknife Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 its so good to see u nearly back in to it but even more your health is coming back and thats the man thing i know its been a long hard road for u but this is light at the end of the tunnel photos look great but still take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Always good to get in and give the tanks a good thrashing once in a while... makes you feel so much better about things. I'm watching this thread to see how the algae on the wood reacts to your regime... I have BBA on my two pieces of wood and my method of removal at the moment is pull the wood out every so often and give it a good scrub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Neat! Algae could have been a lot worse given the lack of CO2 injection! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Yes it could have been. The primary reason for the CO2 being turned off is that the bits keep coming apart as in the pressure keeps blowing the plastic drop checker open. I can't get down to put it back together and until I can work out why it started happening theres no point in making a massive effort just for it to happen again and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted October 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 I'm watching this thread to see how the algae on the wood reacts to your regime... I have BBA on my two pieces of wood and my method of removal at the moment is pull the wood out every so often and give it a good scrub Another water change today. The hair algae seems to have gone away and the bba on the wood has turned this colour as a result of my squirting flourish excel directly on to it with a syringe on Monday. I find this method works well in the worst affected areas however it is a slow process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 just thinking, maybe you should move your twisted val to another tank while you're dosing the excel.... it's so nice and long it would be a shame if it died :smln: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 nice tank setup... :nfs: !drool: !drool: i miss my dicus tank,,,, &c:ry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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