camtang Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 so i am under the impression that new planted tanks will undergo an algae type cycle, correct? if so how long do these normaly go for? and when should i start thinking that i have my balance wrong and start looking at treatments that are more than manualy removing it? have what i think is BBA, some fine slimey type thing and some fluffy looking thing. no cam so cant take pics. doesing liqud tetraplant flora pride every second day, DIY Co2, and natural lighting system. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 and natural lighting system. How long is the light on the tank for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 I guess it varies depending on how much sun is out and about, and the lenght and angle of it in position to the window. tbh i havnt worked out exact times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Generally planted tank enthusiasts try to avoid any sunlight on their tank due to the lack of control they have over intensity and duration. I'm not surprised you're getting algae especially as you're lacking consistent CO2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 I under stand the light thing, but I only have the planted tanks (2 now :facepalm: ) as side projects, and sadly at the time I had no were else for this one but the box window in the kitchen. I do expect algae but am hoping with attention and fish managment it can be a doable little tank Also only just set up the second so am wanting to know in advance for that one as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Every tank I've run that received ANY sunlight had algae issues on the glass in the area that the light hit. Planted tanks are best kept in a dark corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 algae on the glass doesnt overly worry me, more worried about in water and on plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 Generally planted tank enthusiasts try to avoid any sunlight on their tank due to the lack of control they have over intensity and duration. I'm not surprised you're getting algae especially as you're lacking consistent CO2. +1. I keep all sunlight off mine. The key to planted tanks is consistency in all things. Any deviation from the norm can result in an outbreak in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dachende Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 Just cover the parts of the tank that get direct sunlight with thick cloth or poly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 but I am using the sunlight as the source of light and heating for the tank. but in sayingthat the last few days my water has been getting up and over the 30 degree mark, so I think that if I leave it there in the summer I will end up with fish soup. so the algae cricis maybe avoided anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dachende Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 I guess it depends then on which plants you have and how well they can tolerate huge swings in temperature and light intensity - Sam has it right, you should really be aiming for some kind of balance between all the elements - you'll probably struggle with using sunlight due to the varying nature of NZ weather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Cam I really think that using the sun as a direct source of heating and light for an aquarium, let alone a planted aquarium, is a bad idea. No one is surprised you're having these issues, the simple solution would be to stop using sunlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Sunlight is the best light but it needs to be through the top.You also need to get the balance of ferts and light right which is not easy when the light is inconsistant. I know a guy who grows plants very well with a mixture of sunlight and flouros from above but you have to chase it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 as previously mentioned before the water temp is going to get to high, so moving the tank is enevitable. I am not finished with the idea of useing sunliught for heat and light yet, its just this particular tank isnt going to be the one that works out sadly. At the end of the day, plants and fish live in streams heated and lit by the sun so on that logic it should be doable, just geting the right combonation i feel is going to be the tricky part. I do thank you all for your input however Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Provide the same turnover and depth as a steam and you might have more luck maybe :lol: Heating from the sun is totally doable, think of a system where water is pumped out into black pipes on the roof of a building and then back in as required, controlled by a thermostat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 there is some pretty shallow and slow moving streams about :sml1: the temp control is the issue for me, the stones glued to the back was just way way to efficent and it got way to hot. take the lid of to let it breath and fish jump out :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 there is some pretty shallow and slow moving streams about :sml1: Yeah the disgusting algae filled ones :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 I know a guy who grows plants very well with a mixture of sunlight and flouros from above but you have to chase it all the time. I have a picture of Cam with his tank on a trolley, moving it about the room trying to get the best sunlight.... :digH: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 chasing the balance is hard but chasing the tank is even harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 as long as i am not chasing the dragon its fine. :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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