is my substrate right

Hi all i started my first high tech tank probably about a month ago I'm using prodibio substrate and CO2 but I have noticed that Eriocaulon sp vietnam isn't growing or at least is growing at a slow rate is it because I don't have fertalizing substrate underneath my prodibio or could it be caused by something else

 

There looking kinda green in the middle and I am working on the algae problem


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Substrate should be fine. Do you use liquid ferts? If not, that might be a good idea. If that is not the problem, then it could be inadequate lighting. I have decent lighting but quite a tall tank (60 cm tall) and have real difficulty getting carpeting plants to grow well. But if ferts are fine and lighting is fine, then maybe it just needs a little more time...

 

Yeah I’ve made a DIY led rig that has red green and blue so the full spectrum is covered I stopped using feet’s due to algae I’ve started again because I have added Amano shrimp and more biological filter media that should keep th algae at bay thanks for the help


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I wouldn't stop fertilizing, a lack of or imbalance of nutrients leads to algea. What dosing regime are you using?

What's your C02 levels? Is it on a solenoid?

Fluctuating and Inconsistant C02 will also give you algea.

I also find that a minimum of a 50% waterchange everyweek goes a long way in keeping a tank clean.

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I have my CO2 on a solenoid and I add one squirt of scape complete it’s only a 60L I need to be more religious about my water changes


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That sort of fertilisation is not going to work for a high tech tank.

I don't see iron in it as well. Which could be the cause of your eracaulon looking the way it is.

Iron, calcium and magnesium are also not mentioned.

Check this link.

https://rotalabutterfly.com/nutrient-calculator.php

I dose EI Daily.

Seachem iron.
Seachem trace
Scape N
Aqauvitro activate P
Potassium chloride K
Plaster of Paris - Ca
Epsom Salts - Mg

If you don't get the fertilisation right you will never win with algea.

This is also compounded by the fact that you planted fairly sparsely. Algea becomes difficult to control without substantial plant mass in the tank.

Attached a pic of my tank

Hope this helps.

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It’s my first high tech tank so that’s why I bought an all round feratslizer these are the contents of scape complete any ideas on plants I could add


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For me and my tank, a single, all-round fertiliser works perfectly. I sometimes forget to use it so I probably use it at about 1/2 the recommended dosage. It's true, though, that the presence of algae often indicates some kind of imbalance. I also have CO2 but use it at about 1/5 the recommended amount; still helps a lot. Maybe your tank just needs more time to settle. Also, Amamos should help. Siamese Algae Eaters (SAEs) are also good with algae (one of the few fish that actually tackle hair algae) but can be annoying when they grow up and start eating the regular fish food. The best sucker mouth type of fish, I think, is ottos (otocinclus) because they don't grow big and they just stick to algae. Good luck!

 

yeah thanks jimmy my dad bought a Chinese algae eater lol needless to say i had to move him to my 280L low tech so i could move in some shrimp whatm do you guys think i wanna add some rotala and java fern because i thnk rotala looks good and java fern is going crazy in my low tech

 

Both good choices, I think. Lots of types of rotala, so I don't know which one you have in mind, but it's usually a good bet. Java fern (whichever variant) is always a winner.

 

With your planned setup you should be able to keep any plant you wish.

This is my first high tech planted as well.

I also tried all in one ferts at the beginning, fine for low tech. The moment you push gas and turn up the lights, it becomes a different story. The complete is one of the better ones, you may just need to play with dosing. I actually think you are under dosing, I add 5ml of 1.4% scape N alone per week... And my tank is only 45cm.


In the long run I'm being really honest, I don't know if it's going to work. But I'm not saying it wont.

The other issue is water flow and surface air exchange. Its really important.

And the number one rule. 50% waterchanges religiously every week....


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Otocinclus catfish are also incredible algea eaters. The best you will find, combined with amanos . Its a formidable team

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I was found that I have a canister filter so I fill the water to just below the water level to keep the surface moving to help my CO2 level balance out


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Invest in a lily pipe and surface skimmer for the canister. Youl thank me later

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I’d love to get some but my 60l already has 10neons 5 mountain minnows 4 Cory cats (had 6 but two unfortunately died) and 5 Amanos so I don’t really want to increase the bio load on the filter even though I’m going to add like 250ml of matrix when doing mantanince next week Friday


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You only need one.....

If not, then get some snails.

Biological cleanup crew help to build a more diverse and balanced system.

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