New Custom CO2 Set up

[trd1]

I have finally gone to CO2 on my bow front (400lt) about 2 months ago. Previous to that I had used low light & EI, then used Excel. Thanks to all the guys in my previous posts that helped out with heaps of info for switching to CO2. The system was made by a local gas system company to my specs (see photos):

Single Stage Reg (modified to minimise end dumping)
Swagelok SS-SSA-A-VH metering valve
Parker Solenoid
UpAqua CO2 atomiser (using 25psi & approx 4bps of CO2)
2.64kg CO@ cylinder

Currently using EI dry dosing once a week & WC once a month
1.2tsp KNO3
0.4tsp KH2PO4
1tsp Equilibrium
1tsp Epsoms
30mls Seachem Flourish (also dosing mid week as well)
30mls Seachem Iron (also dosing mid week as well)
PH7, 6dKH, 6dGH (water is very soft)

Using 2x 39w T5 HO lights (recently increased it to 3 lights) sitting on the cover glass under the hood (tank depth is 60cm). Lighting period is 10 hrs & CO2 coming on 1 hr before lights on & stopping 1 hr before light off. 2x Koralia II, one at top & bottom. 2x Drop checkers (one at top & bottom) & both green with a hint of yellow. I have made up KH4dk solution using RO & DI water (yes I have both systems). I have very high fish load.

After the initial ph drop & a few dead fish, I lowered the CO2 & now have slowly increased it. There is lots of misting, but no pearling. The system has stabilised & plant growth is good. Fish are much better.
There is a bit of GSA on the back glass & anubias, but BBA is virtually non existent.

I have a few questions:
-Does my dosing & lighting seems reasonable? (hoping to achieve low light tank)

-What is the thick white slime growing in the drop checker where tank water meets the air pocket (see photo)? I clean it but it comes back. There is a similar white film also on the front glass, but minimal & is slowly diminishing.

-Should I be increasing CO2 for the BBA? There is already a heavy misting of CO2 in the water, however the 2 Koralias disperse it throughout the tank well.

Thanks


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[Gerryd]

Hi,

I am still digesting your thread but 3xT5HO stands out in addition to a 10 hr photoperiod...

You only have 55 gallons of water and you say you want a low light tank?

I would only use ONE T5 bulb and see how that goes. Especially with them sitting right on the glass....

Reduce your lighting and do nothing else and I bet in 1-3 weeks you will see a big improvement....Also 8 hrs daily is plenty...

More later...

 

[trd1]

Hi Gerryd, thanks for the reply. Yes I know there is a bit to digest (my wife said the same thing LOL), but I wanted to give a general idea of what's happening. By my conversions 400lt is approx 88g (UK) or 106g (US). So I guess 2x T5Ho for 8 hrs should be ok for low light on that volume?

So far the plants are coming along OK with my current dosing regime, maybe too early to tell at this stage. GSA is still seems to be happening even though I have upped the Kh2PO4 a little. White film in DC is still there, it would be interesting to see if anybody else has had the same thing.

Thanks