I was sucking really hard at growing syngonanthus. I decided to setup my 20
gallon long as my new syn tank as it would be easier to maintain (20g water changes over
56g water changes). But i really screwed myself over. 24w x4 bulbs t5 over 20 gallon long.
I figured high light and keep up on water changes that everything would be kush, but
I was dead wrong. I do blame all my algae problems on the lighting. Co2 was injected through
2 atomizers on timer. Lighting is 5 hrs a day. After a few weeks or so estimate, algae was always
quick to appear, I've gotten myself into a hole. Co2 was high, but not blasted, which i usually
do. The filter is hob aquaclear 30. I figure if i keep updating somehow my equipment that
the algae will go away. On the way, a sun sun canister filter and x 2 beamswork dimmable leds.
Currently i have a 2x24w t5 bulb on the tank for a week or two now, but algae just does not go
away. Its engrained i suppose. Its really gonna be hard to eradicate, I don't really know
what types I have but i do know i have a little bit of cyano, very little hair algae, bba
my syngonanthus. So its all going to be rather tough to deal with. I like prevention
first, my water changes are weekly, one day about 80%, and the very next day about 10-20%.
The reason for switching tanks is that I'm filling ro jugs and its a real wear down on me.
I thought that more water changes was the key to a healthy and successful syn tank. But still the
algae is rampant. Since switching to 2x 24w t5s, there also has been melting of syngonanthus, I'm
losing them left and right. It seems possible that the melt is a disease as it seems to affect
others around it. I certainly gained the experience of fixing all this, but I just don't know.
Oh btw, this is all new malaya soil as well. Usually all you need is the water changes and things
are kush. Dosing? I've been overdosing macros, i have nilocg liquid ferts, and more than the
recommended pumps of dosing, but staying to the recommended pumps of micros. That part doesn't
even matter as I didn't start with dosing waiting for the package in the mail and I started with
the rec. macro dosing, I just know there was deficiency as syns were whitish growth and that means
its lack of macros. It was all lighting that started my problems, 2nd filter underdone, 3rd co2
fluctuations in the beginning dialing in. I'm not blasting but sure its in excess, i'm pretty darn
sure no fish would survive in this tank. GH, done with lowkeys GH booster. I just add a few drops or
so randomly, play by ear, i'm usually good at playing things by ear. So seeking after that boom in growth
with the new soil and high lighting, i messed up. Besides light, the planting was very dusty as well. Lost a lot
of syngonanthus over the months, melting and all, but I'm back on track almost, the back on track photos
will be posted in upcoming posts. For now, devestation pics.