[Wet Thumb Forum]-Adding lime or oyster grit

[Mr Fishies]

Thanks. Things seem close to coming together. (Fingers crossed)

I'd still like to add more plants, but finding the right kinds from a looks and compatability standpoint has only yielded 1 true plant "failure", and that was cabomba. I had much less light at first, that was likely a problem, but no matter how nice it looks healthy, it's really messy when it's not. I may just look for elodea to float and block some of the light as a quick plant fix.

Should I do anything different with the lighting until the green water clears up? Less hours? Changing to the CF light may be what tipped the balance too far towards the algae.

[dwalstad]

Your analysis sounds reasonable.

Cutting down on the hours sounds like a smart move. Right now, you don't have enough plant for the high light you've added. Once you've got more plants and less bare spots, the good lighting will be fine.

If green algae appears to be taking over, I would do what I wrote about in book:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>Major water change to get rid of most of green water organisms.

Then add charcoal to filter (gets rid of chelated iron in water)

Cut hours of lighting down drastically (3-6 hours total per day?)[/list]
That should help.

[Mr Fishies]

Sorry. I should have gone back to the book. At work I am forever telling people to read the manuals/instructions before asking questions. Thank you for your patience!

Hopefully my next update will be of a clear water variety!