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Permalink Reply by Daniel on July 17, 2012 at 11:33am

First of all. How long are you leaving the lights on for? I recommend T5's with high output should only be on for 6 to 8 hours a day. taking down the amount of time should decrease the amount of algae in your tank.

2nd. Plants will take a little time to establish themselves, like beneficial bacteria takes time to establish. 

If you still have leaves that have melted still attached to the plant, try trimming those off otherwise the light wont get on to the plant in the places it needs to because the old and dead stuff is blocking the light.

And last but not least.

How many plants do you have?

If you have a couple, try adding a few more as you don't want to overfeed your plants with too much. It's just like overfeeding your fish. If you overfeed your plants they are just gonna say "dude your killing me".

You need balance. hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Lucas on July 17, 2012 at 1:46pm

Thanks Dan! I'll cut down on the light and I already have more plants on the way. I've kept my fish load light until everything balances out. I would say that the tank is moderately planted, and I'm working on putting a bunch more in there.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on July 17, 2012 at 4:33pm

your very welcome. 

Just out of curiosity what substrate do you have?

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Permalink Reply by Lucas on July 17, 2012 at 4:59pm

I'm using about an inch of the standard pea-size gravel, all earth tones. I was going to PFS since I like the way it looks in my other tanks however the gravel came with the tank when I bought it so I thought I would give it try.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on July 18, 2012 at 4:55am

I thought you were gonna say just gravel.

Ok. You need to feed your plants with the nutrients they require to live. Having good light is one thing.

Plants absorb 60% more nutrients through there roots than they do there leaves. I recommend you take the tank apart completely. Make sure you save at least half the water you currently have in the tank. 

Buy a nutrient substrate to put into your tank. Get some clay pots or one big one, smash it up with a hammer and put the small bits in with the nutrient substrate. Smooth the substrate evenly across and then put your gravel on top. 

Having the clay in with the substrate will add extra iron which is a primary source of nutrients. If you have any reddish plants, the clay will help the leaves stay red and promote growth.

Last thing. put you finger into the substrate once you have put the gravel on top. the depth should go to the top knuckle. make sure the gravel slopes from the back to the front of the tank. longer plants need to go to the back and front plants need to go to the front. by doing this will allow all the fish waste to roll forward to the front of the tank. This means its easier for you to collect when you do water changes.

Top knuckle for the back of the tank and the middle part of your finger for the middle of the tank and then about an inch from your finger nail at the front of the tank. 

A bit like top middle and bottom.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Lucas on July 18, 2012 at 3:01pm

Well, I've already got the dirt underneath the gravel. I should have mentioned that again. So, the plants should have plenty of nutrients. I already included clay. :) I did the 1 inch to 1 inch ratio.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on July 18, 2012 at 6:35pm

Oh you have a dirtied tank. good for you. I did that once and got the same results as you have now. 

Man that stuff is a bitch.

The way I advised in my last reply is how I do it.

I must admit the way that I have done it requires less water changes and plant growth is good.  

Do note that the dirt substrate wont last forever and it's a bitch to separate the dirt from the gravel. Trust me I've been there.

Again good luck with the aquarium. hope it does well. post a picture and lets have a look.

Later.

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