Thanks to Tom and the Barr Report

[dutchy]

Hi everyone.

I want to thank Tom for his effort to help me, his good advice and the great info found on this site. Over the last months I had BGA, BBA, Staghorn, GSA and oedogonium.

The biggest change was adding more CO2 and good circulation. From the moment I changed that, everything started to improve, but it still took some time.

I'm happy with the final result. In a few months I'm going to start a 200 gallon tank.

So everyone having problems, hang in there, it's going to get better.

regards,
Dutchy

 

[Tom Barr]

If you could get some of that dwarf form of Lobelia, or the round leaf tip Staruogonyne or the porto velho type, that would look nicer.

I know a few blackouts leave the plants semi leggy, and a few good trims and prunings later it would look super, but you might look at adding a species or removing one, nice looking tank and colors.

I would like to mention, while Dutchy has had success, many have not.
Still, when we look at what really helped folks achieve that success, most of it comes back to light(less typically), good adherence to CO2/circulation.

Nutrients rarely are part of this. They can be independent(eg something like EI dosing makes that really easy to do)

Many seem to think I'm all EI and gung ho there, but if you look, over time, you'll see I have focused a lot for decades not just on any one thing, but also light and CO2.

Once you see the results in your own tank, then you understand this.
It's everything, not just nutrients. And CO2/light plays a massive role, focus there.

Do not assume it's(light or CO2) simple or will cure everything over night either.
It takes time and you need to learn how to use these and stay on top of them.

After that, then you can focus on aesthetics of scaping, plant choices, fish etc and what not.

So there's plenty more to learn, you are not going to run out of anything.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Tom Barr]

Also, do 2x week 50% water changes and dose good after each water change.
Do this for another 3 weeks or so after any longer term issue.

This will really wipe the tank into really good shape and maze you more. Then trim good and water changes right after etc. Do a few more water changes more frequently and then you be where you want to be and can back off.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[dutchy]

I forgot to mention earlier that light was an issue too. I was using T5 at 2,7 WPG. Now, 1,35 WPG. 50% less. Made the tank more managable, less algae, easier to deal with CO2 and nutrients. Plant growth reduced somewhat, but not drastically.

Dosing has remained the same over the last months, no changes here.

Good idea about changing the leggy Lobelia. This plant is kind of sensitive to blackouts.

 

[guy tillmans]

Tom, if there are any algae issues, you say do a 50% wc, twice, weekly.(for some weeks),then a good dose after the WC. Do you mean micro's or macro's? Do yo have to increase EI during this period?

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Guy,

Dose both after each WC......at least the macros....I do both. the fresh water will contain trace elements as well, but not all.

Upping EI is based on the issue. If say BGA and low K was suspected, than increasing it during this period would be considered.

Does that make sense?

Dutchy,

Nice tank... glad it is working out...

 

[scottward]

Nice looking tank!

I too am having much more success with my tank since I reduced the light and improved the CO2 distribution (+ stopped looking at the drop-checker and stopped bothering with test kits).

I am learning to adjust my tank 'by eye' and having good success.

Scott.

 

[Tom Barr]

Takes some time and effort, but there are good results had by all focusing more on CO2/less lighting.

This is independent of the dosing methods and philosophies.
EI or a modification thereof, leaner, richer, different ratio etc can simply help make that aspect easier to manage. By making nutrients independent(at least in the water column), then light can be measured, that leaves CO2 and other general care issues like filters, circulation etc.

Sediment nutrient sis also a aspect of nutrients, and this too can be addressed, eg, use ADA AS, or mineralized soil etc and EI etc.

Now you have address 2 locations for nutrients and added non limiting amounts.

Lower light/good CO2= more species to chose from, not break neck growth rates.
These are generally what folks are seeking that are new to the hobby.

Goals will vary, but in general, these are the targets.
Is this new?

Nope, been stated by many folks for decades unfortunately, few listen.
Those that help others on line often overlook it also, too much focus on nutrients and algae cures.



Regards,
Tom Barr