Well happy

[mel]

Yes , apparantly old tubes are a major cause of algae in a tank .

Theres loads of New info on tank lighting these days and thoughts have changed in the last 5 years i was shocked on all the new "Hi Tec" advice on the web ,some of my info is maybe out dated

Anyway , two tubes that worked great for me on any tank with no algae issues when planted was a "power glow" and a "flora grow" , basically one of each seemed to give great results . I think the tubes were from interpet .
For basic plants like vallis / Amazon Swords / java moss i cant see any benifit of adding more exspensive tubes . More plants will also help to mop up the Nitrates and phosphates .

Have you asked on the Ukap planted tank forum ? , theres some decent advice on there on planted tanks and it seems about the best advice i,ve found on the net , i cant believe how things have changed in 5 years with T5 t whatever lighting , they never had them in my day ..lol..

[mel]

I,ve got some pics of mine i will post up , it needs a good clean the front glass and the pics are not great but i will find the post .

Some of the java moss is due a thin now ....if you want some let me know and i will grow it some more before cutting it , the tank is now black hair algae free

[welsh_kai_boy]

Thanks Mel I will take a look, I would love some java moss . I have java fern which seems to grow off daughter plants on the leaves quite well, I have just farmed some to secure to the bog wood but your more than welcome for some at the next harvest.

I will look at getting new tubes then, they are T8's bright white at the back and warm at the front (not sure how old they are) its the recommended setup for the juwel 300. I have left the lights off today to see how it helps.

[mel]

I will post you some in a week or so , i will let it grow abit more and then i trim it tight to the wood , it will be easier for you to tie to the wood if the strands are longer

[welsh_kai_boy]

Thanks mate, I have left room on the wood for it. I have found a few snails in the tank and have removed about 8, is OK to leave a couple in there? I think they are rams horn.

[welsh_kai_boy]

OK, so the API Accuclear has done the trick but still need to change the T8 tubes. Still keen to get a UV for the tank to eliminate the green water and also sterilise the water. Bought 3 more Brochis today along with another sterbai, pepper, bronze, albino and two other corys i forget their names. I just love watching them burrowing in to the sand.

Mel, are you interested in the java fern i harvest off the leaves? they are small but grow well on bogwood?

[welsh_kai_boy]

I have changed my tank about in the last month or so and have added some new fish, I have a major issue with ramhorn snails in there at present I keep fishing them out but they just keep appearing.

[mel]

That looks great mate ,love the tiger barbs .

The Ramshorn snails ....you could get some clown loaches to eat them , or buy 10 Assasin snails , they will control them and make a nice addition to the tank .

[welsh_kai_boy]

I have an army of....one assassin snail at present and there are some empty shells so your right Mel I need to enhance the army

I have the common ones, albino and the green ones. I am sure they have spawned a few times but by the morning the eggs are gone (need to get a nursery cage to see if the eggs hatch).

[welsh_kai_boy]

Well I have launched a new army of 12 assassin warriors in to my tank today to cull the ram horns and I have already seen one attack the enemy. I also have added a 6" fire eel and 3" whiptail catfish to the tank today as well.