2013-6-11

After these 5-6 years I FINALLY figured out that the reason I have been disappointed int he plant growth in the 90 gallon aquarium is because I wasn't adding enough nitrogen!  I assumed that Flourish COMPREHENSIVE was indeed comprehensive!  It is not!  It does not contain enough nitrogen for the aquarium.  I added Stump Remover and IMMEDIATELY the plants greened up  and the java ferns started growing!  I had given up on java ferns.  This is the reason the swords never grew in this aquarium.  I had replaced them with cyrpts which are also gorowing well now.

2013-6-11

Received 4 fish from Kenny on 5/21/13.  Golden melon looked a little stressed as he was the biggest and less water and air left in his bag than the others.  Plus he had tail burns that the others didn't have.

Red larg (golden melon) discus listing to side, pectoral fins flailing resp rate 104 at temp 84F. Likely dx, constipation. Administered 1 ½ tbsp/10 gallons of Epsom salt at 1pm.  His resp rate normalized by 3 hours and he ate some brine shrimp.  doesn't seem to like bloodworms?  This is odd.

He has not eaten well since I got him. Others are eating well. Initial superficial fin infections have cleared with Maracyn 2 (minocycline) over 5 days. Then did 65% water change.

Today, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite all OK.  this is the third time since the new arrivals that the old coral 1/2 blind albino discus and the new carnation snakeskin have mated and laid eggs on the intake of the filter or the top of the heater.

 

I read that new additions might be treated with Prazi as a preventative, so I added Prazipro a few days ago.  I still suspect that parasites might be infecting the discus even the albino in the main tank, bc his growth rate is slow and he apprears underweight.  Hve feeded the new fish with flakes also and they are eating the flakes.  The older discus are too picky to eat flakes.

2013-5-3 Planted Cryptocoryne wedtii 'green'

I am giving up on the swords which have gradually declined for no clear reason.  Other plants look fine.  Planted crypts to take their place.

KH 40.  Will add 1 tsp

One day this week forgot and left filter off all night!
Thankfully, ammonia, nitrates, nitrite all 0 today.

Apex has been working well.

I need to add a circulation pump and maybe that will cut down on the algae at the bottom of the tank.

2013-3-27

Replaced filter gaskets.
cleaned filter.
Removed plants with fungus and large sword. 
Replaced far back pink light with another plant grow pink light.
Replaced front light with 6700K light last week.  All lights have now been replaced in last 6 months.
Fe 0.  This is where my problem with plants probably lies.

2013-3-24 current plants

carolina bacopa

water hyssop

 

glossostigmata

 

dwarf hair grass

ludwigia peurensis

 

water shamrock

 

2013-3-20

Replaced a bulb with 6700K bulb.
Plants don't look green and swords are anemic in particular.  Foreground plants are not doing well.  May need renewed substrate or more fert supp of substrate.
CO2 has remained in green level.

2013-3-13

Cleaned tank last night.
Added 2 tsps baking soda and all ferts.
Cleaned filter about 3 weeks ago.
Swords are looking pale.  Added 3-4 fert tabs to each.  Need to monitor iron closer.
Today Free Fe=0.
Fe chelated=0
KH 60ppm
Added 15ml Fe.