Problems with HC

[Jkeating8]

I first planted my HC about 3 weeks ago. It is spreading but extremely slow. It's quite frustrating. Just looking for some advice.

Specs:

5.5g
Floramax
UP Aqua Reg to paintball can at 2bps
40w 6500 spiral CFL about 12 inches from substrate
EI Dosing

All of my others plants are doing great. Am I missing something?

 

[Billbug68]

Mine took a while to acclimate and take off. Give it some time. Did you separate it and plant in a checkerboard pattern?

 

[Jkeating8]

Thanks for the response! Especially from you. I followed your 12g long build every step of the way. Yeah, I planted it like that. I'll just wait and see then.

 

[Billbug68]

Haha thanks! As long as its not dying off, you should be okay. Sometimes it takes a while to really kick in to high gear.

 

[Jkeating8]

Haha welcome! Yeah it puts out new green leaves everyday...just not spreading yet.

 

[Billbug68]

Can you post some pics of your setup?

 

[Jkeating8]

Yep- as soon as I can figure out how to upload pics from my iPad. Haha

 

[Billbug68]

Lol, when you're in the reply screen, tap the + sign at the top and upload the photo.

 

[Jkeating8]

Ok- got it! Haha. The light shouldn't be my problem. It's really bright and the new growth on the cardinals is a nice deep red.

 

[Jkeating8]

Sorry for the crappy iPad pics

 

[Billbug68]

It looks good! I really like the scape! I hope you can get the HC to fill in, don't know if its the pics but it looks a little yellow. It also looks like you could separate it out a little more, and get some more coverage throughout the tank. Have you been testing you water params? Nitrate and phosphate?

 

[Jkeating8]

The pics do make it look a little yellow. It's not as yellow. Theres a little bit though. Thanks! Just waiting for it to fill in. I'll spread it out a little more. I have never tested params. Fish are always healthy and no algae so I never have. I'm moving it to my room soon and will upgrade to a eheim 2211. If that matters. Haha

 

[Billbug68]

When you move it, I'd put or paint a black background on this tank... I think it'd look good with black. You might want to invest in the test kits. You might not have problems now, but if/when you do, it's important to have the liquid tests so when can offer you help.

 

[jetajockey]

It's growing very...upward. I don't think you have enough light on it personally.

Is that a true 40w cfl or 40w equivalent cfl?

 

[Jkeating8]

I actually thought about a background. Hmmm- ok ill try and pick one up this week then. Thanks.

Jeta- it's a true 40w cfl. I shouldn't have leggy growth I would think.

 

[Jkeating8]

Maybe I'll look into upgrading the light. Hmm.

 

[jetajockey]

do you have a photo of the fixture setup?

 

[aqua_chem]

Do you have a drop checker? A HOB that far above the water line worries me with regards to co2 offgassing.

 

[Jkeating8]

I have a drop checker coming in the mail in the next few days. Here's the light set up.

 

[Jkeating8]

Also- I changed and rescaped everything about two weeks ago when I switched from sand to floramax. When i did this could I have caused a diatom bloom?