Can someone help in identifying this plant?

ttiger72

Thanks Blue, all of you have been very helpful for a newbie trying to get started. I greatly appreciate all the advice you guys have given me!

Lonewolfblue

Actually, anything above 2.5w/g should have CO2. If you don't, you are going to run into some algae issues, and the only way to eliminate it is CO2. BBA is a big one for that, loves low and fluctuating CO2 levels, and no CO2 as well. If the tank is ssmaller, then you can use Flourish Excel instead, as it's a carbon suppliment.

As for being careful with CO2, not really necessary IMO. I run my CO2 at 50ppm-78ppm regularly. The only time you need to be concerned is if it's running up around 100ppm and higher. Currently I'm running my 29G right around 50ppm.

Lastly, in very moderately to heavily planted tanks, you SHOULD run an air bubbler at night. Or anything that will give more surface aggitation. Plants produce O2 during the day, but take it in at night. I've lost fish due to suffocating, I woke up and half the fish dead and the other half gasping at the surface. Within 10 minutes after adding an airstone, all was normal and had to fish out the dead fish. And it included 5 Roseline sharks. :(

So, remember, plants PRODUCE O2 during the day, and USE O2 at night. The more plants you have, the more O2 that get's stripped from the water.

fish_4_all

http://woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/Lighting.htm

Anyhting on the chart for your tank that is high light needs to have CO2 to help control algae. I don't know if your tank makes the chart or not. I have 3.3 w/g gallon over my 10 gallon tanks and I do not need CO2, I use Excel. I am still under moderate light though. I still have plant growth beyond belief and i run an airstone 24/7.

Remember that if you don't inject CO2, an airstone is needed to help both CO2 and O2 replenish itself because the plants will suffer without it and the nautrual balance will drop without some good surface agitation.

Try it without it at your light levels just make sure to do two things. Keep up with your water changes and make sure your plants have all the nutrients they need or algae will be the result, even in lower light tanks.

Wolf is roght, CO2 will result some awesome growth but you really have to do a lot to keep your dosing right to prevent massive amounts of algae. Keep us posted and we will help you work the tank the best we can the way you want to do it.

ttiger72

Hi Lonewolf...can you recommend a system? I don't want to have to have a CO2 tank and regulators. Would something like this work in a 29G tank?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...04+113779+2032
Also, is my WPG calculation correct at around 3 with a 65W CFL? Or would I be okay using Flourish Excel?

Lonewolfblue

Actually, I don't recommend things like that for anything above 15G. You get above that tank size and you start getting CO2 fluctuations. Not a good thing, unless you run more than one together.

For the 29G, I would just purchase Flourish Excel. It's much easier, and you don't have to worry about fluctuations, and then run an airstone or other surface aggitation to help keeo O2 and CO2 at ambient levels. I personally like just using a small powerhead at the surface pointed slightly up to give surface aggitation, rather than an airstone. Plus it circulates the gases when they enter the water.

Lastly, there are a couple of plants to stay away from if you do use Excel, and they are Anacharis and vals. The Excel will make them melt. Other than that, no other problems....

Edit:
For the 65W CF, with it being more intense than a regular 65W florescent, it's about 2.9w/g. I guage CF as approx. 1.3x the regular florescent, so 65x1.3/29=2.9, approx. :)

ttiger72

Thanks Lonewolf. Again this board is great, I have gotten such great advice and hints I may wind up with an incredible tank instead of just a tank.