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Permalink Reply by samsam24 on July 1, 2012 at 3:36pm

Okay first give us some more info, What size tank? What is your substrate? How long has the tank been set up? What fish did/do you have in the tank? What type of lighting do you have? and even filtration...

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Permalink Reply by Brent on July 1, 2012 at 4:19pm

Ok here goes. It is a 36 gallon bowfront I got a petsmart, I have a t5 ho fixture with two t5 bulbs both 24w. They are zoo med bulbs one super daylight and the other flora sun(5000K). I have two HOB filters a power head and a UV Sterilizer that has recently started acting funny. It has been up and running for around 9-11 months (can't recall when we set it up). I have in it now Wisteria, Ludgwigia Repens, Dwarf sag, a small Crypt that has actually done okay, and some small java ferns from my big tank. As far as fish I have 2 cory cats, 4 cardnal tetras, 3 rasboras, 2 angels (until they are big enough for the other tank), 1 clown loach, a clawed frog, and another fish I believe is called a boatia. I have lost 2 tetras, 1 clown loach, a hillstream loach, 2 otocinclus cats, and countless shrimp that never seem to take. As far as the current clean up crew that I have, the only thing that has stood the test of time is the MTS, and I have at least 1 maybe 2 assassin snails in there. The MTS are in staggering numbers, I am actually thinking of trying to take them to my LFS for trade or just to get some of the numbers down. But there is still algea on the leaves of the plants. It appears to be a hair algea of some sort or perhaps a diatom I am not really sure. It is not as bad as it used to be but bad none the less. if you need more info let me know.

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Permalink Reply by samsam24 on July 1, 2012 at 7:52pm

alright you seem to be in alright shape for stalking and filtration. But do you do enough water changes? Your ammonia might be high (Check your water again not at petsmart and check with the liquid tests) That was always my problem. I used to over feed. Now, I feed 1 flake per fish per day and a little bit of New Life spectrum. It took my ammonia way down and i havnt lost a fish to water quality since! And they couldnt look more happy. Now as for the hardness of the water, I would check with a specialty store if you have one near by. Petsmarts and Petco's are more of Pet Stores than fish stores. The people there kinda know what they are talking about but will more or likely direct you towards the chemical section of the store if they see something wrong with your water. There are other ways to fix hard water, im sure, but i dont know any. Do some research or see the fish store. DO NOT DUMP CHEMICALS INTO YOUR TANK. usually they can do more harm than good. (at least from my past experiences)    Also, make sure you properly de-chlorinate your water each time you add some. Hope everything improves

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Permalink Reply by Brent on July 1, 2012 at 10:13pm

I do my own water tests and have never really had a problem with ammonia. I don't use chemicals except for medications when needed and I am currently using a liquid co2 booster which has helped a little. I have used an algea fix type solution but am no longer using that since it doesn't seem effective. As far as softening the water goes I rent the house so I am not going to buy a water softener just for the tank and our RO water tap is only meant for small amounts of water at a time not several gallons. Really just trying to figure out if I can pull out the dying plants and plant heavily again, as if I was just starting, or if I have to tear down the tank and start over.

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Permalink Reply by samsam24 on July 1, 2012 at 10:17pm

Dont tear it down. Try again with some hearty species like anubias or Java fern. If those die, then you definitely got something wrong. But seriously, get to a local  fish store and ask them what to do about your water. Chances are they have people who live in your area who might have the same problem

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on July 1, 2012 at 10:52pm

If you have algae it means conditions in your tank are excellent for plants. Algae likes the same things plants like - lots of minerals. So try getting something that will outcompete the algae for minerals. The best plants by far for this job are floating plants - Duckweed, Water Cabbage, and Water Hyacinths (Kudzu). They grow faster than anything, And, if possible, cut down on the light to discourage the algae.

A good substrate is important. This means dirt capped with gravel or, better yet, clay pellets, flourite, or eco-complete. Unlike gravel or sand these caps will suck nutrients out of the water, away from the algae, and hold them for your plants roots.

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Permalink Reply by Brent on July 2, 2012 at 9:10am

Well I have thought about duckweed. I have dirt but I did cap it with sand. For aesthetic purposes more then anything, I think it looks realy good. I suppose I could pull the sand up with water changes and re-root the dwarf sag. Do you know of any of these good caps that are black to keep the effect that I have?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on July 2, 2012 at 10:03am

I could be wrong but I think eco-complete is black and Fluval also makes a black substrate. Clay pellets sold as "Oil-sorb" in automotive supply stores is bluish-gray. If some sand ends up getting mixed in with the dirt that's ok. Loam is considered the best substrate for plants and that's a mixture of humus, clay, and sand.

Before getting Duckweed try finding Water Cabbage. Its a lot more attractive, efficient, and easier to manage than Duckweed. I have tons of it in my pond and usually end up throwing the extra growth into my compost pile. I can send you some if you want. 

I didn't want to mention this before because I didn't know if you could do it. But another way of killing algae is softening the water - ie pulling out the minerals. The only practical way to do this is to start using rainwater instead of tap water. This would involve placing a barrel underneath a roof gutter(s) when it rains.

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Permalink Reply by Brent on July 3, 2012 at 11:07am

Well I live in Yuma AZ so rain water is pretty much out of the question. I have dirt with fluorite mixed in it and black sand as a cap. If he sand as a cap isn't hurting anything then I don't want to change the substrate. 

Permalink Reply by samsam24 on July 2, 2012 at 10:08am

I agree with Robert. A good Substrate is key. Eco complete comes in black and you could use that as your only substrate. I use Eco complete capped with some gold gravel that looks great. My plants do better than ever as well. but the only downside is it comes a price. Eco complete is kinda expensive.

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Permalink Reply by seth roach on July 3, 2012 at 5:56pm

also where are you getting these plants? If there the ones from petsmart in the tubes or are just from petsmart that could also be the problem. Ive never had luck with them....plus dont throw out all the root systems and little chunks of dying plant try and put em outta sight you may luck out and have a lot of them come back once you get the tank balanced and growin good

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Permalink Reply by Brent on July 4, 2012 at 11:17am

Well I have gotten plants both from petsmart and online. With the same results from both. Actually at first the tank seemed to thrive and those plants were mostly from petsmart. I really think I just didn't plant heavy enough and the nutrients built up. 

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