Show me your aquarium
Discussion
Caddyshack said:
Sway said:
Argghhh...
Bloody cyano.
This is like one of the Facebook posts where people reply with "sending hugs" and "alright hun?"Bloody cyano.
It's red slime algae. In this case quite unusually mixed with dinoflagellates (I think...). Joy.
Hateful stuff, with no quick or easy fix. Been expecting it, tank is coming up to the one year mark. Dealt with dinos surprisingly easy about three months in, knew this was likely as I've upgraded light significantly.
Flow is already pretty massive for the size of tank. I try to have a load of biodiversity and a good balance of nutrients - but I do feed heavy.
Currently dosing Brightwell Clean, which is a pretty potent mix of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, with the aim they'll out compete it and restore balance to the
Apparently upping the temp slightly, and having a three day blackout will help too - they're the next steps to try in a couple of weeks if the current regime doesn't show enough improvement.
Sway said:
Caddyshack said:
Sway said:
Argghhh...
Bloody cyano.
This is like one of the Facebook posts where people reply with "sending hugs" and "alright hun?"Bloody cyano.
It's red slime algae. In this case quite unusually mixed with dinoflagellates (I think...). Joy.
Hateful stuff, with no quick or easy fix. Been expecting it, tank is coming up to the one year mark. Dealt with dinos surprisingly easy about three months in, knew this was likely as I've upgraded light significantly.
Flow is already pretty massive for the size of tank. I try to have a load of biodiversity and a good balance of nutrients - but I do feed heavy.
Currently dosing Brightwell Clean, which is a pretty potent mix of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, with the aim they'll out compete it and restore balance to the
Apparently upping the temp slightly, and having a three day blackout will help too - they're the next steps to try in a couple of weeks if the current regime doesn't show enough improvement.
Sway said:
I'd love one - but unfortunately I just can't think of a way to make one work. Have considered an algae reactor - but I'd have to be incredibly careful it simply could not leak, ever... Not sure I can guarantee that!
Yes, the leak issue is always a problem, it is a shame one of the big companies cannot make a main stream model that just works.I suppose it's because 'most' can just run a ball of chaeto in a chamber in the sump...
It's not like it's a complex bit of kit - but, it needs that little bit of 'proper' design/component choice/manufacturing that someone like Fluval could do in a heartbeat.
Actually... That might have just given me an idea. Off to see if I can find a cheap small fluval or ehiem external canister filter.
It's not like it's a complex bit of kit - but, it needs that little bit of 'proper' design/component choice/manufacturing that someone like Fluval could do in a heartbeat.
Actually... That might have just given me an idea. Off to see if I can find a cheap small fluval or ehiem external canister filter.
Sway said:
I suppose it's because 'most' can just run a ball of chaeto in a chamber in the sump...
It's not like it's a complex bit of kit - but, it needs that little bit of 'proper' design/component choice/manufacturing that someone like Fluval could do in a heartbeat.
Actually... That might have just given me an idea. Off to see if I can find a cheap small fluval or ehiem external canister filter.
On my stingray setup I have pothos (devils ivy) growing on the tank lid with the roots in the water, it eats nitrate without needing co2 from the tank, I wonder what it would make of salt water? It's not like it's a complex bit of kit - but, it needs that little bit of 'proper' design/component choice/manufacturing that someone like Fluval could do in a heartbeat.
Actually... That might have just given me an idea. Off to see if I can find a cheap small fluval or ehiem external canister filter.
I have had bespoke tanks made up to run along side my sump before, they are not expensive to have done.
I've done pothos in freshwater. Salty equivalent is mangrove.
Problem I have is it's a 50l tank, on my office desk. The issues I'm having are all entirely predictable and a result of running a salty nano.
I'll get there, biodiversity is key at the microbial level from what I can gather.
Or, I'll upgrade to a 250-350l sumped tank in a handy niche I've left clear next to my desk...
Problem I have is it's a 50l tank, on my office desk. The issues I'm having are all entirely predictable and a result of running a salty nano.
I'll get there, biodiversity is key at the microbial level from what I can gather.
Or, I'll upgrade to a 250-350l sumped tank in a handy niche I've left clear next to my desk...
Aquarium is up and running ... no fish yet though still showing trace Ammonia sub .25 ppm.
Quick question, the tank is / has developed a film on the glass and in the corners, it is like a green film and makes the glass appear unclean.
It is more prominent in the corners / filter intake.
I did have a plant die and thinning it could be linked to its breakdown?
Quick question, the tank is / has developed a film on the glass and in the corners, it is like a green film and makes the glass appear unclean.
It is more prominent in the corners / filter intake.
I did have a plant die and thinning it could be linked to its breakdown?
Lord.Vader said:
Aquarium is up and running ... no fish yet though still showing trace Ammonia sub .25 ppm.
Quick question, the tank is / has developed a film on the glass and in the corners, it is like a green film and makes the glass appear unclean.
It is more prominent in the corners / filter intake.
I did have a plant die and thinning it could be linked to its breakdown?
That's biofilm/algae growth - entirely normal, and scraping the glass every few days becomes a normal routine.Quick question, the tank is / has developed a film on the glass and in the corners, it is like a green film and makes the glass appear unclean.
It is more prominent in the corners / filter intake.
I did have a plant die and thinning it could be linked to its breakdown?
Here's mine, after five days of no cleaning (cause it'll help out compete the cyano I'm battling at the mo):
Lord.Vader said:
Aquarium is up and running ... no fish yet though still showing trace Ammonia sub .25 ppm.
Quick question, the tank is / has developed a film on the glass and in the corners, it is like a green film and makes the glass appear unclean.
It is more prominent in the corners / filter intake.
I did have a plant die and thinning it could be linked to its breakdown?
That’s happened quite quick. I think your tank is probably getting too much light. Quick question, the tank is / has developed a film on the glass and in the corners, it is like a green film and makes the glass appear unclean.
It is more prominent in the corners / filter intake.
I did have a plant die and thinning it could be linked to its breakdown?
I’ve only got my light on six hours a day. I will only increase this when I have successful plant growth which will out-compete the algae for CO2 and nutrients.
Lord.Vader said:
Light is probably on 12-16 hours a day, didn’t realise that’d have such an effect.
Wow, yeah that’ll do it! I recommend some kind of timer on the socket or a smart plug type thing. Mine currently comes on in the morning for a few hours, goes off for several hours in the middle of the day, and then comes on for a few more hours into the afternoon. Here’s the rationale;
Any live plants will deplete the available CO2 within hours of the light being switched on. Algae starts to win the battle over plants when the CO2 concentration is low. A dark period in the middle of the day allows CO2 levels to recover again.
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 12th May 17:29
otolith said:
HustleRussell said:
I believe the nauplii need to migrate to brackish water - good luck!
Spotted a couple of baby Platy last night. Teeny tiny things, smaller than the gravel! There were well camouflaged and seem to be good at hiding.
Guess there's not much we can do to help them. Dropped some spinach into the water this morning, and some flakes are still around so they have a chance at getting some food. Time will tell!
Guess there's not much we can do to help them. Dropped some spinach into the water this morning, and some flakes are still around so they have a chance at getting some food. Time will tell!
HustleRussell said:
Quite right, it sounds like a major PITA but I am considering trying it. I know that these shrimp are at least two years old and I will definitely want more after these.
Given what the bloody things cost, so would I!Other shrimps breed like rabbits but aren't comparable algae munchers.
Chester draws said:
Guess there's not much we can do to help them. Dropped some spinach into the water this morning, and some flakes are still around so they have a chance at getting some food. Time will tell!
I’ll have to try spinach. We had a go with cucumber a couple of weeks back, but the fish weren’t interested.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff