Need some lighting advice

[TRD_Power]

Well, my 40-ish watt lamp wasn't really doing the trick for my Amazon Swords, so I decided to up the lighting in my 75g a bit. I talked to my LFS and they recommended I get a 108w, Aqualife, dial-lamp, T5HO fixture. So I did, but after a few weeks, I got a ton of black hair algae on everything, my elk horn java ferns were dying off, and it just seemed to be more of a hassle than an improvement. I, at the time, had NO idea what I was looking for, but this light has been collecting dust ever since I put my old lamp back on. The java ferns are doing fine, but the amazon swords seem to be slowly wilting away Almost like I can't keep these two in the same tank.

I guess the question here is whether or not I should sell the Aqualife and downgrade to a regular output lamp? Should I get different plants? Currently I have 6 amazon swords, 8 java ferns (elk horned kind), some vals and just one Anubia. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Liquidplants]

Copied from .. James' Planted Tank - Algae Guide



Black Brush Algae, BBA

Description Often grows on leaf edges of slow growing plants, bog wood and mechanical equipment. Also sometimes it grows in fast flowing areas of the tank. Grows in clumps or patches of fine black tufts up to about 0.5cm long.

Cause In a high light tank it is an indication of low or fluctuating CO2 levels or not enough water circulation around the plants. In a low light tank it is often due to changing CO2 levels.

Removal In a high light tank you will need to increase your levels of CO2 and/or improve water circulation around the plants. Scrub and cut off as much as you can first. Increase levels slowly to 30ppm or more but watch the fish to see if they are respiring heavily. Make sure you have good water flow around the whole tank along with some good surface movement. Adding a power-head may help.
If you have a low light tank without CO2 injection then not doing any water changes will help. This is because tap water often has lots of CO2 dissolved in it which causes CO2 levels in your tank to fluctuate. The algae respond to this a lot quicker than the plants do.
Siamese Algae Eaters are known to eat BBA so can be used to control this algae.
Overdosing Flourish Excel will clear it up.

 

[JasonG75]

I talked to my LFS and they recommended I get a 108w, Aqualife, dial-lamp, T5HO fixture. Of course they did $$$

I got a ton of black hair algae on everything Of course you did, that much light and No Co2.

but the amazon swords seem to be slowly wilting away Almost like I can't keep these two in the same tank. Have you tried Root Tabs?

I guess the question here is whether or not I should sell the Aqualife and downgrade to a regular output lamp? Keep it until you decided to go pressurized Co2.

Should I get different plants? Currently I have 6 amazon swords, 8 java ferns (elk horned kind), some vals and just one Anubia. I would sell 4 and keep 2 (one in Each corner)
Thanks

Hope this help, HO requires ALOT of maintainance and Co2..

 

[TRD_Power]

What would a safe amount of Excel be as far as ODing on it? Again, I have a regular 75g tank stocked with a yellowtail cuda, 3 clown loaches, 4 corys, one giant pleco and some ghost shrimp. My main focus is keeping them safe. Thanks!

 

[jcardona1]

Stick to normal output lighting. T5HO is really on for high tech co2/fert tanks. For a nice low maintenance light, try using PC fixtures, or 4x T8/T12 bulbs.

 

[TRD_Power]

Cool, thanks!