Hi Tom and all,
I am currently running a dry start method in my 90 x 40 x 40 cm tank. Lighting is 3 x 39 watt T5 tubes on for 8 hrs and substrate is composed of Aquatic Nature Fertiplant and fertisoil and a top layer of flourite black. Plants are glosso, pogostemon, Lilaeonopsis and Elocharis. Filtration 2 x 1200 l/hr external filters and pressurised co2 with aquamedic 1000 reactor on one filter and a co2 atomiser attached to the other.
Questions and concerns:
1. I have some form of algal growth growing on some glosso plants. WOuld it be best to remove them prior to flooding or is there any way to remove algae from leaves?
2. I am a bit confused with respect to initial fertilisers to use. Should i immediately be dosing E.I or should i limit N and P during the initial phases? NB: SUbstrate used lacks N and tank has been running dry method since october!
3. ANother uncertainty i have is the photoperiod. SHould i start with a 5 hr photoperiod and increase it gradually to a 8 hr one or should i immediately start with an 8 hr one.
4. I plan to perform half tank water changes every alternate day during the first 2 weeks so as to reduce likliness of algal blooms. IS this good practice??
5. I understand that after flooding plant must undergo an acclamitisation period but if wilting occurs can one distinguish from it being due to acclamatisation visavi any limiting factor.
Sorry to have bombarded you with questions.
ANy help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks again.
Chris
I am currently running a dry start method in my 90 x 40 x 40 cm tank. Lighting is 3 x 39 watt T5 tubes on for 8 hrs and substrate is composed of Aquatic Nature Fertiplant and fertisoil and a top layer of flourite black. Plants are glosso, pogostemon, Lilaeonopsis and Elocharis. Filtration 2 x 1200 l/hr external filters and pressurised co2 with aquamedic 1000 reactor on one filter and a co2 atomiser attached to the other.
Questions and concerns:
1. I have some form of algal growth growing on some glosso plants. WOuld it be best to remove them prior to flooding or is there any way to remove algae from leaves?
2. I am a bit confused with respect to initial fertilisers to use. Should i immediately be dosing E.I or should i limit N and P during the initial phases? NB: SUbstrate used lacks N and tank has been running dry method since october!
3. ANother uncertainty i have is the photoperiod. SHould i start with a 5 hr photoperiod and increase it gradually to a 8 hr one or should i immediately start with an 8 hr one.
4. I plan to perform half tank water changes every alternate day during the first 2 weeks so as to reduce likliness of algal blooms. IS this good practice??
5. I understand that after flooding plant must undergo an acclamitisation period but if wilting occurs can one distinguish from it being due to acclamatisation visavi any limiting factor.
Sorry to have bombarded you with questions.
ANy help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks again.
Chris