Weeds

[Michael Hoaster]

A quick shot of the tank after algae export. Note how the ulva on the back wall casts shadows, allowing the grasses to pop visually.

The seagrass is growing! The plants seem well rooted too. These grasses are getting established much quicker than the ones I had in v1. That's great news!

I've still got lots of algae. I suspect it's going to hang around until I can get more desirable algae growing. And my crew needs more time to reproduce. So for now, I'm helping to keep the grasses clean. With steady export, I should reduce nutrients in the water.

It's funny. At this time, I'm trying to keep nutrients lower to combat algae. Later on, I'll be trying to keep nutrients high enough to keep my favored weeds growing!

 

[vlangel]

Its looking good and I like the magnifying glass in the foreground! I have one on the end table next to my tank as well.

 

[lapin]

Magnifying glass. I have one too. A bit bent and rusty but who isnt.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Right on Dawn! We've got tiny things to see. I look forward to when I have a sand bed wriggling with life. I still have a ways to go, but we're moving that direction.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

lapin, you crack me up! Who isn't!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I pointed out the shading on the back wall to confirm that plants would achieve the same look as adding material to the back wall for overhang. Yay!

Did I mention I have algae? It gets better! Dinoflagellates are now part of the mix. The only reason I noticed that the grasses were taller was because the dinos were bubbling up and lifting the blades higher. That's why I fired up the UV again the other day. I had success in v1 using UV, so I have similar expectations. Combined with export, it should come down in a couple of weeks.

I wish I had more plants to compete with the algae. Hopefully the funds will improve shortly. The selection online, in the dead of winter isn't so great, plus I'm trying to be more selective in my choices.

My little ecosystem in a box still has a long way to go.

 

[vlangel]

I love the quiet confidence that you announce that you now have dinos and will deal with them. I read post after post of folks who lament the dreaded dinos.

 

[lifeoffaith]

I love the quiet confidence that you announce that you now have dinos and will deal with them. I read post after post of folks who lament the dreaded dinos.

I was pleased by this approach too! It's part of nature. Embrace it and deal with it the way nature would! Personally I am a firm believer in an intelligent creator. For that reason I try to avoid using chemicals if at all possible and just treat issues with natural remedies, assuming that means I don't kill the natural remedies by not being able to keep them fed or alive in my tank.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thank you Dawn! I too have read the horror stories. The problem with dinos is there is so much conflicting info on them. The reason for that is because there are more than one type of dino, and each responds to treatments differently. So it can be a very demoralizing battle.

In v1, I found UV to be effective with 'my' dinos, so I'm starting with that strategy. And I will keep exporting.

 

[McPuff]

I apologize if this has been stated, but just curious if you're running carbon. If not, I suppose you could just apply as needed. Bent and rusty... ha ha!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I do have charcoal in my canister filter, but I haven't changed it in a while. Thanks McPuff!

 

[Chasmodes]

Your tank looks great! I love the back wall contrast too. It does look like an overhang!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Kevin!

I was thinking I needed a fast growing macro to help compete with algae for nutrients. Then I remembered I threw a bunch of ulva into the QT. I retrieved a few and planted them around the top of the tank. That should help.

I've been reading up on dinoflagellates (again). My strategy at this point is UV, manual removal, macro algae competition, and assorted pods, to help consume them. Maybe a three day black out, and/or elevated pH.

Today I didn't remove any, except what floated up, I netted. It's kind of interesting, the war of algae I'm experiencing. There's so many different ones. And there's my crew.

My tank hasn't reached a balance yet. It's still in flux. There are several more pieces of the puzzle to add.

 

[McPuff]

There are several more pieces of the puzzle to add.

I always do the border first. :0)

But really, you could look at that as a metaphor. You've built the system that houses the biology (i.e., the border). All of the stuff that makes up the pretty picture is busily arranging itself now. Once you have all pieces (and only then) can you have a completed picture/puzzle. As long as you manage any instability that would jumble the puzzle you'll have a nice picture for a long time.

Metaphor complete. Ha! :0)

 

[vlangel]

I always do the border first. :0)

But really, you could look at that as a metaphor. You've built the system that houses the biology (i.e., the border). All of the stuff that makes up the pretty picture is busily arranging itself now. Once you have all pieces (and only then) can you have a completed picture/puzzle. As long as you manage any instability that would jumble the puzzle you'll have a nice picture for a long time.

Metaphor complete. Ha! :0)

Hey I like this metaphor, McPuff! It is applicable to most tanks. No matter what we keep, if we tackle the foundational (border) parts/pieces first then we are set up to start putting the pretty picture together. Otherwise, there can be a lot of time just spinning our wheels.

 

[Chasmodes]

I need to clean my border. :hmm5:

 

[vlangel]

I need to clean my border. :hmm5:

LOL! My problem is that I start trying to find middle puzzle pieces. :headwally:

 

[Michael Hoaster]

A puzzle is a good metaphor.

If the border is the tank and system, I haven't even gotten that done yet! I still don't have my main circulation pump running.

If the living elements are the inside pieces, I still have a ways to go there too. I expect to add more snails, pods, worms, serpent stars and a few others, just for algae and detritus. Then filter feeders and more plants. Some more fish would be nice too.

I am wavering on my fish choices. I was planning to stock with grammas and damsels. Now I'm not so sure. I've been looking at some more mild-mannered, schooling fish. Decisions!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I added baking soda today, to raise pH. I don't know if it will help or not, but it's one of the things I can try easily. My dinos do not appear to be toxic to my snails or fish. I ordered 1000 pods. They eat dinos. I've been taking notes on a multi-prong attack. More to come.

If I keep adding diversity, I should be able to get to a good balance.

 

[McPuff]

I added baking soda today, to raise pH. I don't know if it will help or not, but it's one of the things I can try easily. My dinos do not appear to be toxic to my snails or fish. I ordered 1000 pods. They eat dinos. I've been taking notes on a multi-prong attack. More to come.

If I keep adding diversity, I should be able to get to a good balance.

Curious what your reason is for bumping the pH artificially?