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tryin to keep healthy plants

2K views 7 replies 3 participants last post by  mgamer20o0 
#1 ·
ive been havin live plants sinse the end of last year and after getting a better idea of lookin after them they still end up dieing or algy grows on them.

i have a jewel vision 260 which is 50 gallons, a co2 kit, 2 fresh water lights and use daily liquid fertiliser. also do a 25% water change weekly and some of the plants still die off or have large amounts of algy growing on there leaves.

i got a uv steriliser and have orderd a external filter, i have an internal one which came with the tank but cant realy use that with the uv light as i looks crap lol.

if there is any sugestions that people have then that will be great
 
#2 ·
#1, what is the wattage of the lights?
#2, if you have a low light tank then you are dosing too much for the plants to use and the algae may be because of this.
#3 and posible most important what plants do you have?
#4, what type of substrate?
$5, what is it that you are dosing?

I know it sounds like a lot but it is all important to know to give the best advice to help your specific situaiton.
 
#3 ·
its all about a balance. i would switch to dry ferts. a lot cheaper and easier play around with how much ferts in the tank. my quick guess is you need more light. sounds like might have to much ferts in the water. plants are not using them up but the algae is.

more info like fish_4_all said would help out a lot.
 
#4 ·
the light wattage is 38 watt. and there are 2 of them which are fresh water lamps which says is good for plants as well.

i dont have many plants in there at the min but the ones i have orderd in the post are:

Lobelia Cardinalis: not had that type before but looks nice
Crassula Helmsi
Hygrophila Rosanervis: not had this 1 either lol
Anubias Barter: had this before but after a few weeks it has algy growing on it.

gettin a few others as well soon but ones which have bigish leaves on them keep gettn algy on them. other ones plants grow but never seem to be as bright and fade

the substrate i use is 6mm tank gravel which i got from a local fish store

and the fertilser i use is some stuff i get off ebay. i used to use JBL stuff but i wasnt impressed with it and it cost loads. the ebay stuff seems to be better but still not gettin the right results. i add 4ml daily as it says and it should be the right amount for my tank. and the pictures ive seen of when u use this stuff it should look great. instead they either die off, have algy on them or just fade.
 
#5 ·
1.5 watts per gallon isn't bad assuming it is fluorescent bulbs. If it is incandescent then it is really worthless and will only grow algae really.

If it is fluorescents then I would say you are lacking Macro nutrients like Nitrates which are notorious for stunted growth if you don't have enough. Also, with whatever you are using right now, make sure to dose Iron at about .1ppm every other day.
 
#6 ·
wat about these tablets. herd about them. will they help?
 
#7 ·
With the plants you have I don;t know that they will help immensely but they can't hurt per say. I wouldn't use they as suggested though, might put too many nutrients in the water column when you gravel vac. Maybe take them and break them in 1/2 or 1/4 and put them in different locaiton where the plants keep you from vacuming the substrate. They will help a little , specifically under the Anubias if you have a serious root system like mine does.

Root tabs are specifically used more for crypts and swords as they are heavy root feeders and almost need them to thrive.
 
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