Comment by Melvin Nicholson Sr on October 31, 2011 at 5:33pm

My 125 gallon tank was set up for frontosa with a crushed coral/creek pebble substrate for the high PH level that was needed. After getting rid of the frontosa, I decided to switch to a planted tank, not thinking about the substrate. I purchased two, 46 inch, dual T5 lights to cover both sides of this 72” long tank.  I incorporated the DIY co2 suggestion from YouTube, by using 4-32 oz bottles and a power head, with the bubbles going into the intake, chopping them up before expelling them into the tank.  All of the plants started out growing well but now I am noticing a lot of the swords leaves starting to look as if they are rusting and turning brown and a few of the Java ferns leaves have black spots all over them.  It’s too late to switch to dirt without completely draining the tank and I have too many large rocks and fish in my tank to do that.  I think that my problem is the crushed coral but I want your opinion before I try to remove it by sectioning off the tank and removing the substrate a section a week during water changes.  Please give me your opinion and advice.

Comment by Adam Carbary on November 1, 2011 at 8:25pm

Sick tank man! Looks really good. How long has it been going?

Comment by Keith the Aquatard on November 7, 2011 at 12:03am

Adam, this tank was started approximately in late march or early april.  Its been close to 6 months up and running I think.

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