Hi light HC tank (EI with Tropica N&P) started emerged

[Dusko]

This is my 160 liter Hi light aquarium.
I used the emerged HC planting method for approx 4 weeks, and it worked fine. Didn't get the carpet though. I guess it needed at least 6 weeks in total to crate it.

The way I started it;

I used mulm from an established tank
First layer = Aquatic Soil
2nd layer = Aquacare Tropica substrate
* added a few Tropica NPK capsules
3rd layer = 4cm tick 0.8mm gravel

I saturated the substrate with water that contained 15ml of Tropica+N&P.

Anyhow, after 4 weeks I filled it with water, planted lots of Blyxa japonica, some Hair Grass and Pogostemon helferi.

HC pearling every day;

Canister filter 1200 l/h, CO2 pressurized (on during photo period), injected through the filter intake.
Drop checker (good CO2 level), good water flow.
I also dose Easy Carbo.
Lights on for 10 hours.

The first day I filled it with water, I added 15ml of Tropica+N&P and after 3 days 15ml more.
Here is where my problem started

I am trying to establish EI with TropicaN&P, and I am not sure it is going to work for this Hi light tank.

Hair algae started growing on gravel (not on plants but will soon) between the HC (not on Blyxa japonica). Also some BGA in the corners of the tank (traces only).

I introduced 5 Amanos. These guys are very good in controlling Hair algae.
BUT, they seem not be moving. They are under stress i presume (new aquarium).
Tested for NH4, NO2 = 0ppm
I will give them a few days to settle in, but did a 30% wc, just in case I overdosed.
Maybe they are moulting when in new water? have seen this before.

I was thinking... I dosed the emerged HC with 15ml Tropica NP, dosed the submersed on day 1 with 15ml, and after 2 days 15ml more. This might be causing the problem. What do you think?
I am sure as soon shrimps acclimatise (I will add more Amanos later) the Hair algae will be gone (I have noticed some fungus as well, not much).

I have no tall plants, that might control the nutrients a bit.

What do you suggest?

Regards, Dusko.

 

[Tom Barr]

You really do not need to dose much here.

Also, recall HC needs some time to get growing.
While the dry start method helps there, give it some more time, moderate light EI dosing is fine, there's not much big biomass here and you've added a bit to the sediment.

Still, it takes some time, so keep up on the Excel and CO2 and wait.

Water changes are always welcomed.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Dusko]

Thanks Tom.

I will do another WC today to reduce the nutrients.

Are you suggesting, since I grow no tall plants (less bio mass) to reduce EI dosing.

I was thinking to dose 2 times a week, like 5ml of Tropica N&P, each time, and continue with Easy Carbo and CO2 the same. Weekly wc as usual.

Also, will SAEs damage HC?? I can see my SAEs uprooting L. brasisliensis (which has stronger roots) in my 180L, and for that reason I am not really happy to use them for the Hair algae control now. I hope another wc is going to distress the Amano shrimps.

Regards, Dusko.

 

[Tom Barr]

Yes, I think you can go with Tropica's NPK+their micros as well.

Do not ever bother with EI if you have ADA AS, just use their line, it's far cheaper and does the same thing as ADA liquids, likely better.

But you need to add more versus their directions on the bottle.

3x a week ought to do plenty, then 50% weekly water changes etc.
Lots of CO2, wait 2-3 weeks after a 4-8 week run dry, to add shrimp.

SAEs are poor for hair algae anyway.

CO2.
You likely need more.
Give the tank's surface movement more, and more water changes to make sure nothing goes wrong with CO2 and gas the fish or harm them etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Dusko]

I read on Oliver Knotts site that he doesn't dose anything (except CO2) for the first month, but he does use Tropica Aquacare substrate.
He start dosing Tropica+N&P liquid after one month.

CO2.
You likely need more.
Give the tank's surface movement more, and more water changes to make sure nothing goes wrong with CO2 and gas the fish or harm them etc.

I am dosing 4 bubbles CO2, and drop checker is showing sufficient levels, but I will top it up a bit.
I also added one internal filter with UV-light for surface agitation.
So, 1x 1200l/h external + 1x 1000l/h internal should do just fine for this 160 lit.

Thanks Tom, I will post updates next week.
Regards, Dusko

 

[Tom Barr]

If you have relatively less light than many folks add in the USA, which is the case for ADA and David's tanks, that would be fine.
He likely does more water changes that first month or so.
You have to keep it things clean and running good.

Sediment ferts works well as a back up, plants also have reserves in their tissues.
So you end up adding it a little while later, but adding right away is not bad either.

Still, both Tropica and ADA add liquid ferts to the water column as well as the sediment.

I've never argued against using sediment ferts other than ones rich in NH4 such as jobs or raw soil. ADA has some NH4 as well, but the tannins help reduce the algae until the tank get growing well. So does zeolite and lots of water changes and no fish.

After a month, the tank is cycled, you can do the dry start method and gte the same results without much work also for either method.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[wiste]

What photoperiod was used when growing HC emersed?

 

[Tom Barr]

I used 10-12 hours typically.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[wiste]

I used 10-12 hours typically.

That photoperiod seems conservative for an emersed setup.