Brown spots

[Cacatuoides]

Hi guys,

I noticed some brown spots on my plants and on the glass as well.... its a newly setup tank, could anyone advise what it is and any solutions?

Thanks!

[ecoculturesg]

Check on your Phosphates level bro.

[benny]

Most likely to be brown algae. Easy to get rid of by introducing algae eating fishes such as Otocinclus sp.. But like what Azmi says, get to the source of the problem will be a better long term solution.

Cheers,

[PeterGwee]

You likely have diatom algae. As with all algae, trimming and pruning is needed followed by a review on ways of improving plant growth. Maybe you can use the help template to let us know more on what is going on in your tank.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[Cacatuoides]

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH, specify units):60 x 30 x 30

Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 2 x 15W
Number and type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : ADA FL
Age of light bulbs : 3mths
No. of hours your lights are on : 10hrs

CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : 2bps
Type of CO2 (DIY/Cylinder) : CYlinder
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor) : Diffusor

Liquid fertilisers Used (Product name. E.g. Seachem Flourish) : Ferka
Fertilization regime (Frequency and amount per dose) : 1 pump per day

Other fertilisers (Product name. E.g. Root Monster) :

Other additives (Product name. E.g. Seachem Prime) :

Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister, Product name/model if possible) : Internal filter, 800L/hr
When was the filter last washed : na
Filter media used : wool & bio-ring
When was the media last changed :used old media from previous setup
What was changed : nothing

Age of setup (i.e. since initial setup or last major re-do ) : since last thurs, 5days old

Water change frequency : once a week
Amount changed : 20%

Water surface movement (None/gentle/turbulent) : gentle
Circulation (None/gentle/turbulent) : gentle

Tank Temperature : 28

Chemical Properties (Fill what you can)
-------------------------------------
KH (dKH):1
GH (dGH):
pH : 6.7
NH4 (ppm):
NO2 (ppm):
NO3 (ppm):
PO4 (ppm):
Fe (ppm):

Bioload (Number and type of fish and plants)
------------------------------------------
All plants now
2 otos added today

Describe your problem : Brown spots on leaves and glass, can be easily wiped off....can it be due to sunlight? afternoon sun shines on on side of the tank where the brown spots are.....just did a water change today, 20%
----------------------

[PeterGwee]

Clean the glass and scrub the algae off if possible or else trim the leaves. Main issue...CO2, not enough. Target 30ppm. I'm not sure about the Ferka ferts but I believe you are only dosing traces. It might be fine if the tap and fish load adds enough of the macros but I rather not take the chance. You have to decide then....once the CO2 limitation is lifted, uptake increases.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[Cacatuoides]

Could you recommend which brand of fert to use for Macros? Will up the CO2 to 3bps...

[PeterGwee]

You can consider KNO3, KH2PO4 from Dr Mallick or Seachem's line of macro ferts. Main thing is the CO2 as always. Target a pH of 6.0 for your KH using CO2 gas only.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[Cacatuoides]

Have increased the CO2, will monitor it today....
Which of Seachem's line is that with Macros?

Sorry, i've lost touch with planted for quite sometime....

Thanks Peter!!

[valice]

For macro, it will be Seachem Phosphate, Nitrogen and Potassium...

[Cacatuoides]

Thanks guys! I think I'll switch to ADA Green Brighty Special Lights...
It states that it contains NItrogen, Phosphate, Potassium and Trace elements...

[PeterGwee]

Thanks guys! I think I'll switch to ADA Green Brighty Special Lights...
It states that it contains NItrogen, Phosphate, Potassium and Trace elements...

ADA is lean.....

Regards
Peter Gwee

[Cacatuoides]

ADA is lean.....

Regards
Peter Gwee

MInd explaining what do you mean by lean?
I actually want a liquid fert which will contain most of the macros and micros for planted but i know its not quite possible as liquid ferts are always incomplete....

Which brand would you recommend for easy dosage of both macro and micro?
So sorry about these basic questions

[PeterGwee]

MInd explaining what do you mean by lean?
I actually want a liquid fert which will contain most of the macros and micros for planted but i know its not quite possible as liquid ferts are always incomplete....

Which brand would you recommend for easy dosage of both macro and micro?
So sorry about these basic questions

Well, too low for plant uptake rate. It might work if you use the entire range of products (they are meant to be use together since ADA still think that NO3 and PO4 cause algae when in the water column.). Depends on which school of thought you are in, go that way. Main thing in the end is still good plant health. You can do it in a lot ways but the plant still need the same nutrients in the end.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[Cacatuoides]

Have learnt a lot from you peter....I'm open to ideas n other school of thoughts
Mind sharing what are the other combinations of fert used, other school of thought?

Currently deciding on ADA's Brighty Lights and Ferka's Balance K (save a bit of money here since Brighty K is similar) any others i missed out?

Thanks for taking time to share with us your extensive knowledge peter!

[PeterGwee]

Have learnt a lot from you peter....I'm open to ideas n other school of thoughts
Mind sharing what are the other combinations of fert used, other school of thought?

Currently deciding on ADA's Brighty Lights and Ferka's Balance K (save a bit of money here since Brighty K is similar) any others i missed out?

Thanks for taking time to share with us your extensive knowledge peter!

I do it cheap except for the general trace mix, namely KNO3, KH2PO4 and EasyLife Profito (going back to TMG after I use it up). Basically, I follow the EI (Estimative Index) method by Tom Barr. All I need to do is basically fine tune my CO2/tank circulation whenever I have algae issues.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[Cacatuoides]

Tropica Master gro? I heard its very concentrated and effective but hardly sees it on lfs's shelfs... what are the brands for KNO3 & KH2PO4?

I'm using the misting of CO2 method, dispersing tiny bubbles of CO2 using the circulation....