plant biomass formula

[crystalview]

I am just beginning to read your site, so here is the first question
Is there a formula on the needed plant biomass for the size of the tank? Does this change when you have fish? I am concerned that for the size of my tank that the pair of Discus in there would not have room to cruise, If I overloaded the tank with plants.

I have a slight algae problem right now and have more plants soaking in alum. They way you talk about the biomass I will still be slight on plants.

45g O, O, .4 ph 7 Excel, Flourish, Iron

 

[VaughnH]

Perhaps the most important parameter is the light intensity, because that is what drives the growth of both the plants and any algae you might have. What lighting do you use? If it is very low light a low plant biomass would be no problem, but with very high light, low plant biomass is an invitation to algae to take over.

 

[crystalview]

Opps I know that. So here is info on my tank.

5 neons, 1 oto, 6 sids, 2 discus pr breeding, 3 female Betta's, pr wild GBR's, No Co2, Use Excel and Flourish, Iron, Fluval 304 with 18w UV, 96w 6700k flor. 45g

I just switched from a 29g to this 45g 5 months ago. I added the bigger light above a month ago. It is just now that as I add more that I have problems. I did not have algae except a small amount of green spot. Then I put 2 API root tabs in. They dissolved right away. Now I have green water and a lot of green spot. The tabs also put some sort of white coating on my glass. Reminds me of water spot. I also just started using Iron. I'm in bad need of learning about feeding the plants using one method. I also need to learn plant placement for aesthetics
I will have to look up and make a chart for me on the plants I have now and the ones I am adding. Wow it is hard to keep them strait

All plants in tank are small

Fissiden F. Limnophila indica
Nana Anubias 2 types java ferns
1 stem of ALTERNANTHERA REINECKII red tiger lotus
wisteria
Crinum aquatica

 

[VaughnH]

A 45 gallon tank with 96 watts of fluorescent light needs to be fertilized with nitrates, phosphates, potassium and trace elements. You really need to do some reading in the Estimative Index forum here.

 

[crystalview]

I have been using Seachem products and I only started to read the EI some of it is inputting but it will take a bit more study. If I understand I can use Excel with the EI chart. I don't think I have tests for most of those in my kit, so EI sounds like it would work.
I just deep vac my tank to remove any of the API tabs and wipe down the walls from the residue they left. Until I learn more I think I will go back to just using Excel and Flourish. Then I can try to switch to EI instead of flourish which is costly.
I was just given Watson's dosing guide but as I said above I want to learn one method well, before trying others. I need something easy to start with. It has been at least 30yrs since chemistry.
Off to read.........