Quote:
Originally Posted by Orlando
From what I have noticed, most top notch looking tanks come from overseas and there fert regimens are a little leaner and they dont over do it on lighting. Here in the states we like big cars, big house and giant tanks with 1000watts of light hanging over them. Fast cars and fast growing tanks... I think they take there time in growing and lean feeding.. But who knows, maybe they have some underground secret code of how to grow algae free amazing tanks.
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Exactly...well said Orlando...
We as hobbyist tend to make things harder on ourselves by thinking we need more light, more ferts...etc. I say "HOGWASH".
There is more than one way to skin a cat (sorry to the cat lovers) I have done the over lighting technique and no more. The key is shallow, tanks less light and go easy on the ferts. I dose by feel and do not have a regiment. This results in slower growth but every bit as healthy.
One thing that people tend to overlook in a planted tank is good BACTERIA. This is one of the key components to "balancing a tank" The more lights you have the more bacteria is needed. After every water change and filter cleaning, bacteria should be added back into the system. I use Green bacter and will start to add Bacter 100. Green bacter is food for the bacteria so you have healthy bacteria. Bacter 100 is used as food for shrimp, and as the shrimp digest the bacter 100 the process of new bacteria is the by-product. Bacter 100 is also used under the substrate at start up, as it decomposes new bacteria starts to grow.
Ever heard the term "new tank syndrome"? Well for me this is because the tank has yet to cycle, meaning no or little bacteria. So the algae grabs hold and until your tank is cycled with enough bacteria to match the amount of light and ferts given. This is why I over filtrate a tank. My 60 gallon tank has two filters rated for an 80 gallon tank each. My result was no algae from start til present day.
Ever wonder why we can get away with 6 or 7 wpg on a nano tank? That the WPG rule does not apply to nano tanks? I believe that it is because we are using filters that are for a 10-15 gallon tank on a 3 gallon tank. If you do have a nano and are struggling with algae add another filter.
Try adding "Cycle" to your tank after water changes and see if you start to notice a difference, I bet you will.
This is only my expierence and maybe someone here that is more scientific could back me up on this theory. It really to work for me.