I recently set up my tank.
180 gallon, 75g sump filter with a Fluval 404 for mechanical/carbon filtration. The only fish load at the moment is four SAE, and 10 ottos which I haven't fed due to the assumption they would feed on algae. Temp is around 78 F. (edit) - forgot to mention lighting which is four 95W CF bulbs and two 90W T5 bulbs all 6700K (makes around 3.1 watts/gal.).
The CO2 is probably around 20-25ppm based on the color of the drop checker. I'm using the EI method for fertilization. I put in 0.75 tsp of KH2P04 on Friday, and Monday. I also dosed 1.5 tsp of KNO3 the same days. I used the recommended quantity of Seachem Flourish on the same days. Today (Wednesday) I noticed Spirogyra (silk algae) growing on the plants and driftwood. A sizable amount but nothing that overly concerns me.
The plants are growing like weeds and have great color. According to the following article (Aquarium Algae ID (updated)) this algae is caused by an excess of nutrients. I was surprised because the amount of ferts I dosed was half what I calculated for my water volume. I thought it best to start out low and build up as the plants matured. The plan load is as follows: ~50 assorted stems, ~15 val, 5 HC patches around 2" in diameter, 2 swords, and 4 aponogetens.
I thought the best thing to do to keep things from getting out of hand was to not dose ferts today (Wednesday) and then go a little lighter on my doses when I did a water change this Saturday. Seem like a reasonable plan?
Any advice appreciated.
180 gallon, 75g sump filter with a Fluval 404 for mechanical/carbon filtration. The only fish load at the moment is four SAE, and 10 ottos which I haven't fed due to the assumption they would feed on algae. Temp is around 78 F. (edit) - forgot to mention lighting which is four 95W CF bulbs and two 90W T5 bulbs all 6700K (makes around 3.1 watts/gal.).
The CO2 is probably around 20-25ppm based on the color of the drop checker. I'm using the EI method for fertilization. I put in 0.75 tsp of KH2P04 on Friday, and Monday. I also dosed 1.5 tsp of KNO3 the same days. I used the recommended quantity of Seachem Flourish on the same days. Today (Wednesday) I noticed Spirogyra (silk algae) growing on the plants and driftwood. A sizable amount but nothing that overly concerns me.
The plants are growing like weeds and have great color. According to the following article (Aquarium Algae ID (updated)) this algae is caused by an excess of nutrients. I was surprised because the amount of ferts I dosed was half what I calculated for my water volume. I thought it best to start out low and build up as the plants matured. The plan load is as follows: ~50 assorted stems, ~15 val, 5 HC patches around 2" in diameter, 2 swords, and 4 aponogetens.
I thought the best thing to do to keep things from getting out of hand was to not dose ferts today (Wednesday) and then go a little lighter on my doses when I did a water change this Saturday. Seem like a reasonable plan?
Any advice appreciated.