Low light/no CO2, Tom Barr and Cyanobateria - Fertilizing

ctmpwrdcamry · 08-17-2005, 07:26 AM

I currently have a 45 gallon tank with 2 wpg. Its heavily planted and i use Tom Barr's method of adding frets for a low light tank. Over a month ago I tore the tank down, changed substrate and began to understand how a planted tank worked. Unfortunately, i got in over my head and Cyanobateria started to creep in. After a week or so of daily water changes and the Cyanobateria just getting worse, i tired a black out. After three days the green slim was gone.

However, its now been alittle over a month, and the ugly stuff is starting to appear on some of the plants again and on the back glass. Any ideas what needs to be done? Would upping the dosing of No3 help? Or do i need to do another black out first and add a power head to increase water movement? Any help is appreciated! Until then....

Sean

plantbrain · 08-17-2005, 08:56 AM

If you look at Blackout for BGA, it specially states you must add KNO3 and thereafter add KNO3 to address the long term solution.

I have made that extremely clear in numerous threads.
It will come back everytime if you do not address the cause, whether you use antibiotics or blackout........

Regards,
Tom Barr

ctmpwrdcamry · 08-17-2005, 08:59 AM

I added it after, but not before.

Didnt find anything on the before. I did feed the fish before. Looks like i need to do another black out. Oh well, for the first time sense keeping a planted tank, this is the only fert regement that has worked.

Sean

plantbrain · 08-17-2005, 03:33 PM

You do not need to add much after, perhaps 1/4 teaspoon once a week.
Add some SeaChem EQ, add about 1/4 teaspoon, perhaps a tad more once a week.

Do the water change, clean the filter good, etc, then add 1/2 teaspoon, blackout 100% for 3 days, then add 1/4 teaspoon after the second water change.

Add a little KNO3 each week thereafter........
No more water changes.......add only enough for top off.

Regards,
Tom Barr

ctmpwrdcamry · 08-17-2005, 06:55 PM

Alright, the only two things i wasn't doing was the KNO3 before the black out nor the SeaChem EQ. Do you dose that dry like the others? Just dump them in? I will start the black out tomorrow when i get home from work. Then open it up on Sunday after work. Thanks for your help.

Sean

MatPat · 08-17-2005, 07:27 PM

I think Tom suggests using Equilibrium for traces mainly but I may be wrong. If so you may not want to continue with the CSM+B. This would be a good question also.

I have a jar of it sitting around that I'm not using...If you don't purchase it by then remind me at the September meeting and I can give you some.