In the beginning...*Update* 9/20/06

[Zagz]

Looks great Bill. Everything has grow in so well. I'm still learning how to get them to grow and be so lush. Hopefully in a year my tank will look as healthy.

[Jchillin]

Originally Posted by BlazerFRS

Plants look so good I can almost forgive you for the blue gravel.

What blue gravel?

Originally Posted by Zagz

I'm still learning how to get them to grow and be so lush. Hopefully in a year my tank will look as healthy.

You are on your way...patience and coming in here to ask questions goes a long way...believe me, I'm proof of that.

[BrianNY]

Much improved. I'm thinking 4wpg and pressurized CO2 can't be far off.

[Menagerie]

Originally Posted by BlazerFRS

Plants look so good I can almost forgive you for the blue gravel

I can't The plants and fish look great!

[brant]

Nice tank. Are you using any CO2? I have the same size tank and am considering going from 40 watt NO to 130 watts of CFL. But I don't want to get into CO2 just yet. My only fear is having a massive algea bloom without the CO2. The plants I have are similar to what you have jungle val,corckskrew val., java moss,anubis nana and anacharis. They are gowing ok but I know they could be so much better.

[Jchillin]

*Haven't checked on my own thread in quite some time*

No, CO2 had not been used...up until now, which is why I'm here. I now have a complete mess on my hands. Due to abject ignorance/laziness (feel free to choose), I am now in the throes of a medium BBA outbreak. To add to the frustration, I have come to the conclusion that I am a "Species collector". To wit, I've allowed the sunset hygro to take over the tank.

Now that my priorities are straightened out, I will be utilizing a dosing method to rid the tank of the BBA. I will be dosing a combo of Excel, CSM+B solution beginning today. In the meantime, take a look at the mess I've created.

I'm open to suggestions - Oh, there is a bacopa/moneywort/L. Brevipes forest hidden behind the hygro on the left. My Sailfin pleco has destroyed almost all of my stargrass.

[mr funktastic]

looks like a very health jungle there JC. so when are u moving up to highlight with the rest of us crazy people. u seem to have the low light nailed. and when are u going to change that luvly blue gravel lol

[Lonewolfblue]

Originally Posted by Jchillin

My Sailfin pleco has destroyed almost all of my stargrass.

I hear you there. My pleco is just way too big. Destroys just about everything. Going to have to get rid of him before I redo my tank. Then maybe get something smaller like a Gold Nugget Pleco.

[Glenc]

BBA is a real pain to get rid of once you get it. Green water is easy compared to this crap. CO2 is a definite help in getting rid of it. I hear Excel will help kill it off, but it still takes a long time. I have had it in my ten for a month now, and it's getting worse. Did a three day blackout, hardly put a dent in it. Came right back. Cut the lights back, scrubbed the tank, ended up removing most of the worst effected plants. Doubled up on water changes and dosing regime, tank is starting to look good again. It's my first encounter with BBA, I'm just learning how to get rid of it. After two weeks, I'm just now starting to keep it at bay. I got it by not dosing the tank for thre first month and a half. I had great growth, just let the ferts bottom out, NO3 in particular. Know better now.

[Jchillin]

Thanks Glen, sounds encouraging. I actually did worse than letting the ferts (NO3) bottom out. I have reason to believe I screwed up my KNO3 dry mix and have been dosing warm water.

Originally Posted by MrFunktastic

when are u going to change that luvly blue gravel

Blue gravel??? Where???