Archivarium 2004

[Fraynes1]

Hi, I've got a 75 gallon tank that I've had up and running since Nov/04, it was a menagerie since it's conception. I've battled with green water since it started.

So last Friday, I totally drained and tore apart the tank (not filter), took out the gravel, bought lots of Hygrophila, Repens, Java Moss, pennywort and a few others I don't know the names of. Added 6 and 1/2 bags of eco-complete, planted and put the fish back in and started using the EI approach. Chaned 100% of the water except what was in my Fluval 304. As I didn't have co2 (put it in on Tuesday), I used Seachem Excel.

As the week went on became cloudier and cloudier and got cloudier as the day progressed. Noticed my Phosphates were off the chart. Did a 50% w/c today checked Phosphates down to approx 3-4 ppm. Phosphates out of tap are 0 or close to it. Rechecked my pH and KH which are approximately 6.8ph and 70-80 KH which brings me close to 20 ppm co2.

Nitrates are at approximately 10-15 ppm
Potassium 20 ppm
Added recommended dosage for Seachem Comprehensive
" " Iron

What do I do if Green water returns. I had tried the black out prior to all of this and it didn't work very well. If I use the ei method and have the proper nutrients will the green water go away on it's own or do I have to manually (diatom filter) remove it.

Also added lots of Hygrophila today after water change. My pennywort I have floating pearls. Very confused!

[Rex Grigg]

The phosphate problem is discussed here
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=17212
_________________
www.rexgrigg.com

Semper Fi