TheWetLeaf

"I believe the best fertilizer is elf poop but fish poop is a good alternative and that is what my tanks rely on." ​Most of the commercial lights meant for plants will have a chart on their website describing PAR at certain depths and you can do some google searches for people who have done their own tests on specific lights. Also diy set ups. Generally PAR is split up like this,Low light 15-30 par, medium light 35-50 par,high light50+ par. If you want a high light tank you would be aiming for 50+ par at your substrate, 35-50 for a medium light tank. Plants need a good substrate. Some people like Dirted tanks, potting soil caped with sand or gravel, cheap and grow plants well. If you move plants around a lot it can make a mess. Products like Tropica aquarium soil or Ada soils work very well, but can get a bit expensive for big tanks. CO2 is the most important fertilizer you can add to your tank, even a low light tank. Think about it if you are serious about growing plants. You can find used systems on here too. Liquid/dry fertilizer most likely will be needed. Depends on the route you chose. Some people don't fertilize Dirted tanks at all. Estimative index is easy. The right plant selection for your tank is important too as biodives mentioned. I've mentioned all of this because light is just one of the things needed to grow plants. I "drive" most tanks with light, I use a soil substrate, lots of CO2, lots of fertilizers and consistent water changes. The amount of light over the tank is the only thing that is limiting plant growth. Generally keeps most plants happy and the tank stable. And you will find that you are able to keep slightly higher light plants than what you should be able to keep in your tank.

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Remove as much BBA as you can manually, trim of the leafs that have a lot on them. Especially if leafs don't look healthy. Spot treat the BBA with Excel or Hydrogen peroxide, with all water flow turned off. Should be able to find a video on You tube. I subscribe to the theory that if you can get your plants growing good your algae will go away. Fast growing stem plants will out compete algae, lots of water flow, weekly water changes, and proper fertilization all help. Consistency is HUGE, lights and CO2 on timers,water change on the same day, dose ferts exactly as planed around the same time everyday. Deficiencies can be hard to pin point, but the BBA leads me to believe your tank might need a bit more Phosphate. If you have been constant with all the things I mentioned above you could try increase your KH2PO4 a bit.

Looks like several deficiencies in addition to the ones mentioned above. Are you getting Black Brush Algae in your tank too?

The Tropica Aquarium Soil paired with the Tropica substrate is a great combo. I haven't decided if it grows plants as good as Ada Amazonia. However, Tropica soil is way cleaner, and I found that you don't get a huge ammonia spike or the the algae from excess nutrients in the first month or so.

You probably won't have a problem in regard to the Excel dosing. But you will likely have to rebalance your light and fertilizers.

Looks good.

Black Beauty Brownie Kunti Dark Wave Nanga pinoh super blue

We've added several new verities of Bucephalandra spp. to our collection, in addition to a fresh shipment of the super awesome Buce that we usually have on hand. Check it out! www.thewetleaf.net Copper leaf Envy red Brownie satan Brownie kunti Black beauty Red beauty Mini Coin Dark wave Nanga pinoh super blue Heres some photos of some Buce for attention! And check out our Facebook page for more pics.

For a planted tank, you'll benefit a lot if you use a substrate meant for plants. Some thing like Ada, Tropica aquarium soil/substrate combo, Eco complete, Dirted/Walstad (can't rearrange things to much) all work best in my opinion.

Very nice!

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Tropica Pre-order, Pick your plants! These plants straight from Tropica haven't been sitting around in a tank, becoming nutrient deficient and growing algae. Or sitting on a shelf turning to mush.They will be crispy fresh! We will be doing a Tropica order next week Aug 29, with arrival to Calgary Sept 6-7. If any one would like to get the freshest plants possible, free of algae and pests, Get in touch with us! Pricing; 1-2 grow $13, Potted plants and portions $8 -$22, XL Mother plants also available. Most of the plants on the Website are available. http://tropica.com/en Please reply by August 29

Algae eating fish, shrimp and snails can really take a dent out of and algae issues you might have, but be careful eventually you might end up with a tank full of algae eating fish and nothing that you wanted. Focus on plant growth, find your balance with light/co2/ferts, the algae should disappear. Macros (NPK) might help, some believe that low phosphate might encourage algae. But doesn't really mater the cause of the algae, just get your plants growing. Put your light on a timer, if its not already. Do your weekly water change on the same day every week, same with ferts, dose on the same days. Don't skip any days, consistency really seems to go a long way with planted tanks.

We just got in some Moss Balls! Four sizes Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large. Should be up on www.thewetleaf.net today. Pricing $1.99 - $6.99 https://www.facebook.com/TheWetLeaf/photos/a.1024111764342966.1073741831.992146550872821/1094091537344988/?type=3&theater The Big Guy!