Taiwan Moss browning...Light burnout?

[zyblack]

Hi guys,

My taiwan moss in my shrimp tank is kind of browning. I have just installed a 13w PL light over 2 galleons(US) of water. Is this a problem of over-lighting or lack of nutrients? Any one that can help?

[grey_fox]

Did you just add it in?

[richietay]

using 13watt over 2 gallon of water, hmm...!

How long is your current setup? Temperature of your water?

[diki]

Taiwan moss needs cooler temp (below 28 is ideal). Else it needs time to adjust to in the new environment.

[zyblack]

My tank only 2 weeks old. My shrimp tank thread is here.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=21149

I removed my dead riccia 2 days ago and installed the lights at the same time. Weird thing is my moss is throwing out new light green fronds whilst the other older parts are turning brown. I have no CO2 injection but did try CO2 tablets from AZOO. Oh yar...I did dose my tank with Sera Toxivec these few days when I did water change and top up. I read that it might be harmful to plants so is it the cause? If it does then why does new fronds appear?

Tank Specs
30 x 18 x 18 with only 14cm of water thus 2 galleons water.
Taiwan moss on driftwood.
20 cherry shrimps, 1 swordtail fry, 2 snails.
Black inert substrate.
Hang-on-back filter.
Water temperature is about 28-29 C with no fan (but getting a diy fan soon).
pH:7.5 due to coral chips in filter

[Tanc39]

I think it's your temp. I have this problem before and after installing the fan, the moss just spring back to life within a week.

[budak]

I think you need to be more patient. Mosses can take time to adjust to new tank conditions. The more you fiddle (adding additives etc), the worse it's probably going to be. Keep your lighting hours between 7-8 hours daily, keep on doing partial water changes (30-40% is enough) if the water gets cloudy or your tests indicate high NH4/NO2/NO3, and let the plants adapt. It might take a few weeks or more. Ideally, you shouldn't have added so many shrimps so quickly, but since they are already there, you'll have to work with that.

[zyblack]

Okok...patience, little grasshopper! I just change 30% water and top up with coldwater from the fridge. Temp is now temporarily 25C for prob an hour or 2. Will get the fan soon. No major excitement in my shrimps and fry behaviour. Will now reduce light hours and wait it out. Have done slight trimming to remove brown parts. Hope the moss will flourish now. Thanks all! Budak, by the way, I love your blog! Nice stuff!

[diki]

Do not use cold water to cool down the temp of the tank water. Since the temp can only be substained for a short while before shooting up again, it is going to be harmful your shrimps. I used to do that before and it is the main cause for killing all my bumblebee and tiger shrimps in my previous setup.

[Happy Camper]

As Budak says, patience. I would stop doing water changes all together. Only top up when needed.

[kemp]

i second on the fan issue, you'll really need to get your tank a fan soon