I just joined the site based on the recommendation I got from a guy at the Raleigh Aquarium Society annual workshop this past weekend. I'm looking for some navigation help here in a couple areas after purusing around here for a while.
1) Lots of acronyms and abbreviations are being used here that I don't know. Any chance there is a glossary somewhere here (or elsewhere) - I've been able to figure some out by searching this site and others, but the learning curve would be lessened with a central source.
2) I'm really looking for the "Planted Tanks for Dummies" summary report. The detailed chemistry is great, its more than I have time/interest to handle. I've been reading/researching online off and on literally for a couple years, but came here because I was advised that Tom took a different approach to managing planted tanks, and that the issues I have could be readily addressed. If there is not such a thing (was hoping it would be in one of the newsletters / articles but I didn't see it) can anyone point me at the core 3-5 things I do need to focus on? My main issue is ... algae (no surprise). The guy I was talking to this weekend gave me a couple good insights, but really wasn't completely knowledgable either ... thus his recommendation to come here. He thought I had K deficiencies but past supplements haven't helped.
I am sensitive to asking questions that have been asked/answered 1000 times before. If anyone can point to the right buckets-o-info here I'd appreciate it!
Derek
Tank details:
1) Lots of acronyms and abbreviations are being used here that I don't know. Any chance there is a glossary somewhere here (or elsewhere) - I've been able to figure some out by searching this site and others, but the learning curve would be lessened with a central source.
2) I'm really looking for the "Planted Tanks for Dummies" summary report. The detailed chemistry is great, its more than I have time/interest to handle. I've been reading/researching online off and on literally for a couple years, but came here because I was advised that Tom took a different approach to managing planted tanks, and that the issues I have could be readily addressed. If there is not such a thing (was hoping it would be in one of the newsletters / articles but I didn't see it) can anyone point me at the core 3-5 things I do need to focus on? My main issue is ... algae (no surprise). The guy I was talking to this weekend gave me a couple good insights, but really wasn't completely knowledgable either ... thus his recommendation to come here. He thought I had K deficiencies but past supplements haven't helped.
I am sensitive to asking questions that have been asked/answered 1000 times before. If anyone can point to the right buckets-o-info here I'd appreciate it!
Derek
Tank details:
- 180 gallon freshwater
- Eco-Complete substrate installed ~6 months ago
- CO2 added via DIY reactor - not sure how effectively
- 4 x 96W CF bulbs generally on ~12 hrs/day (AH Supply)
- Bioload is ~20 4" fish of various varieties (angels, clown loaches, rainbows) plus a few tetras and plecos.
- Water chemistry ... unknown. Ran out of most test kits a while back and got lazy. But nitrates are low (~10ppm or less); PH is high (7.4+).
- Tank contains a couple pieces of driftwood and a good number of plants. Most of the latter do well, despite an ongoing cycle of various types of algae that have made their appearance. Latest is some kind of black slime that likes to coat everything (though the plecos keep it down) plus a couple others. In the past I've not had to work this hard at keeping the tank stable and had much better results. Current issues started 18 months ago after a move.