Questions on my setup, Ferts, and algea. - Aquarium Advice

kcsport · 02-28-2008, 05:31 PM

My set up is a 26 gal bow front. I have replaced te light hood with a DIY setup with 2 100w CF bulbs. Well now I have algea on things but my plant is doing great. At the time I only have one live plant. I'm not using any ferts or CO2. Should I downlize the wattage or start using ferts like Flourish Excell. I've looked at the DIY Co2 systems a little. I'm open to any advice. Thanks.

**Purrbox** · 02-28-2008, 06:43 PM

That setup is a recipe for algae as you've already found. Even with half the light you'd still have a high light setup. For a single plant this is probably overkill.

If you've still got the old hood I'd recommend putting it back on and taking some time to research planted aquariums. Once you venture into high light, CO2 and fertilization are all but necessity. Then if you decide to go back to high light, make sure to plant your aquarium densely at the same time.

kcsport · 02-28-2008, 08:02 PM

Ok, I forgot I took the 100 watt bulbs out and replaced them with 40 watt bulbs when the algae statred showing. These are just the screw in CF bulbs from Wally World so they are really lower than what they say. I dont have the org. hood any more. Here s a quick pic i just took. The small plant to the left is real.

**Purrbox** · 02-28-2008, 10:25 PM

That's not quite as bad, but still well within the range where CO2 and Ferts are probably needed to keep the algae at bay. Even then, without more plants to make use of all the light and nutrients you're likely to continue to be plagued by algae.

rkilling1 · 02-29-2008, 04:13 AM

100 watt bulbs? Are you talking about the CF screw-in type bulbs?

EDIT: I guess I should read the whole post. LOL

Is that 100 watts based on the CF or the equivalent value?

pitt420dude · 02-29-2008, 01:00 PM

7.7 WPG seemed a bit high. Just a tad bit high...that is unless you want blind fish lol.

The one plant on the left certainly seems to be doing well, have you had it long?

kcsport · 02-29-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitt420dude

7.7 WPG seemed a bit high. Just a tad bit high...that is unless you want blind fish lol.

The one plant on the left certainly seems to be doing well, have you had it long?

Yea I'm back down to around 3 WPG now. I've had that plant for about 3-4 months now. I went to get some Excel today but all the Petsmarts in this area have stopped selling it. I did pick up the items for a DIY Co2 system.

rkilling1 · 03-01-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkilling1

Is that 100 watts based on the CF or the equivalent value?

And do you have a link to these bulbs?

02-28-2008, 05:31 PM	#1
kcsport Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 34	Questions on my setup, Ferts, and algea. My set up is a 26 gal bow front. I have replaced te light hood with a DIY setup with 2 100w CF bulbs. Well now I have algea on things but my plant is doing great. At the time I only have one live plant. I'm not using any ferts or CO2. Should I downlize the wattage or start using ferts like Flourish Excell. I've looked at the DIY Co2 systems a little. I'm open to any advice. Thanks.

02-28-2008, 06:43 PM	#2
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,396	That setup is a recipe for algae as you've already found. Even with half the light you'd still have a high light setup. For a single plant this is probably overkill. If you've still got the old hood I'd recommend putting it back on and taking some time to research planted aquariums. Once you venture into high light, CO2 and fertilization are all but necessity. Then if you decide to go back to high light, make sure to plant your aquarium densely at the same time. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

02-28-2008, 08:02 PM	#3
kcsport Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 34	Ok, I forgot I took the 100 watt bulbs out and replaced them with 40 watt bulbs when the algae statred showing. These are just the screw in CF bulbs from Wally World so they are really lower than what they say. I dont have the org. hood any more. Here s a quick pic i just took. The small plant to the left is real. Last edited by kcsport; 02-28-2008 at 08:18 PM..

02-28-2008, 10:25 PM	#4
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,396	That's not quite as bad, but still well within the range where CO2 and Ferts are probably needed to keep the algae at bay. Even then, without more plants to make use of all the light and nutrients you're likely to continue to be plagued by algae. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log Last edited by Purrbox; 02-28-2008 at 10:33 PM..

02-29-2008, 04:13 AM	#5
rkilling1 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NE ohio Posts: 1,775 Images: 50	100 watt bulbs? Are you talking about the CF screw-in type bulbs? EDIT: I guess I should read the whole post. LOL Is that 100 watts based on the CF or the equivalent value? __________________ My 75 Gallon Planted Aquarium Last edited by rkilling1; 02-29-2008 at 04:26 AM..

02-29-2008, 01:00 PM	#6
pitt420dude Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh! Home of the 5 Time Superbowl Champs! Posts: 949 Images: 11	7.7 WPG seemed a bit high. Just a tad bit high...that is unless you want blind fish lol. The one plant on the left certainly seems to be doing well, have you had it long? __________________ Thank you so much for all your help. I'm now going green. LOOK! A NEW LEAF!!!!!

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