I really have a proble with GSA... It grows and grows and grows!!! Its like every 3 days i need to clean the glass or else it becomes unsightly. Does dosing more PO4 actually help GSA reduction? PO4 as in KH2PO4? Is this the same? Can some one pls tell how to stop or even retard the growth of GSA?
Are you dosing P currently? Increasing the dosage of P helps in most of the cases and I dose in the form of KH2PO4. Easier to control the ppm I am aiming for and cheaper in the long run. Tried Seachem Phosphourous and its also workable, only that it is used up much faster.
Studying the water chemistry and nutrients is a science.
Knowing what plants to get and how to use them is an art.
Aquascaping is a marriage of art and science, the logical and emotional.
-Calvin
I put 1/2 tsp twice weekly, How much do you think i should increase? Right after taking a sample of my water. I see that my KH:3 and PH 6.0. Using the KH/PH charts, my CO2 conc is about 90ppm. Looking at my fish they don't look stressed or gasping. I read in the forum I should have my CO2 either at extremes to deter BBA. Is this true?
I have got problems with GSA as well... Currethly have a 2 ft tank.. i dose KH2PO4 3 times a week. 1/16 tsp everytime..should i increase it?
I am into Plecos now...
L46, L173, L134 & L236
~~Jeffrey~~
GSA is not only caused by limiting level of phosphates. Its also caused by bad levels of CO2.
You might be dosing enough P but the CO2 levels might not be enough.
You are saying that you supposedly have 90ppm, are you sure? Recheck your test kits. The best indicator is not the CO2 ppm, it is your plants growth. This should mean that you have room for improvement in that department. You might have 90ppm at a point in time, but is it stable? Is it well circulated? Does it take a long time for the level to reach 90 (if it is indeed 90ppm) as there could be a lead time for the CO2 level to build up.
As long as you make sure your P is not limiting, then fix your CO2.
Studying the water chemistry and nutrients is a science.
Knowing what plants to get and how to use them is an art.
Aquascaping is a marriage of art and science, the logical and emotional.
-Calvin
in my observation, the GSA does not/less grow on the glass closed to healty plants. Can anyone confirm?
ok... will take a few more samples. I use a commercial lab to check for my PH and KH so i think the equipment is well calibrated. I have been playing with my CO2 lately... Will stop fiddling and take an avaerage of 5 days before WC. But having 90ppm CO2 is not good? My plants are growing well but have a few of my nanas having holes and black spots.. is this nutrient deficiency?
As far as I can recall, I read somewhere that levels over 40ppm for CO2 yields minimum returns (law of diminishing rate of returns acts here too I guess) so even if your fishes don't suffer at 90ppm you should have negligble returns. Are you using ADA Aquasoil or any pH altering stuff in your tank like peat? It screws up the readings.Originally Posted by Sratchuback
Anyway make sure it is well circulated. Don't take it only once through 5 days. Take a few readings daily.
Studying the water chemistry and nutrients is a science.
Knowing what plants to get and how to use them is an art.
Aquascaping is a marriage of art and science, the logical and emotional.
-Calvin
No... I use lapis sand. Minimum returns meaning what? My plants grow slower or i'm wasting CO2.
you are wasting CO2, either the plants wont take that much or it release to atmosphere (water can't hold the excess CO2).
ok... i'll wait a few days as i'll be monitoring CO2 the next couple of days. When you say misting... what does it mean? I see lots of tiny bubbles coming out from my outlet and it floats to the top. Monitoring my GSA too to see how fast it grows as I dose KH2PO4 1/2 tsp 3X a week now.
Maybe i have to plant some more?
That means your CO2 is not disolved completly, you are wasting CO2.
By the way, in one of the thread, bro FC solve or improve Greed Spot Algae condition with UV light, but make sure the UV light >13W
Last edited by Shadow; 26th Mar 2007 at 10:27.
hi, I am recently hit by GSA. From this thread, i think my problem is the lack of phosphorus as my Co2 is injected at 1 bps. Btw, whats nerites? what does ppm means?
nerites is a snail species, their egg only hatch in brackish water
ppm = part per million
1bps CO2 is meaningless because it is actually depent on how efficient your reactor. The important think is how much CO2 disolved in the water. bps just helping you to adjust the CO2 tank output.
Last edited by Shadow; 27th Mar 2007 at 19:43.
reactor? whats that? how to calculate ppm?
is a equipment used to disolve CO2 into water. Some people use reactor, other use diffuser, etc. You can take a look the thread at equipment section.
1ppm = 1mg/liter
I have a UV, but mines at 5W and its on 24/7. I thought that having a UV of above 11W is not so good for the plants as its destroys certain traces plants need. Can I fit a higher W bulb to the one i have now? Very Ex this one from sam yick...
Is it green dust or green spot algae? PO4 and CO2 correction will deal with green spot but not green dust.
Regards,
Peter Gwee
Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger
I thougt both are referring to the same algae. BTW, where can i find more info about the green spot & green dust algae? Thanks.
Cheers,
U.K.Lau
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks