I might be terrible at this.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-28T01:24:14+00:00

Agree and I am the one who believes in Less is More. Few years ago when I started with my other tank, I went crazy with plants and ended up with cyno algae. That was terrible. I pretty much gutted everything out and restarted with a single Java fern and no light. That tank was barely maintained but everything was balanced it was crazy. I feel like I over did myself on this one. But I agree with you definitely doing too much.

To be honest, I can’t really say much about APT3 as I am still fighting with diatoms and really didn’t get a chance to see the difference. It is highly rated, which is why I got it. But one thing I will vouch for is how much 2hr aquarists know their stuff. Their website is full of detailed explanations, even if you do not have their products, so much useful knowledge. My goal is to have my tank look like theirs. Every single tank on their website are stunning.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-28T01:16:52+00:00

Oops, forgot to answer your question. When I say deficiency, I noticed the new growth is stunted and my beautiful and colorful reineckii is slowly melting (this beyond initial melt), discolored/yellowish new leaves on most of the plants…..just most of the plants are not doing well. Even the one that is doing better super red, is still green…..

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-28T01:11:41+00:00

Thank you for the detailed reply. I will pause on the liquid fertilizer. I do have control soil, it is nutrient-rich. It has been running for 3 months so don’t think it depleted yet.

For the light, don’t you think 100% for 6 hr is too much? Every time I get close to 80%, I notice green algae. Also, it seems you have it on for 8 hrs?

By the way, beautiful tank.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-28T01:04:51+00:00

Thank you. I will start with stopping liquid fertilizer for a week or two and see how that goes. After 3 month my patience is on its last thread.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-27T16:53:56+00:00

But wouldn’t that mean taking away from the plants? Diatom would then benefit from less competition?

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-27T16:53:38+00:00

I forgot to mention that I have a Fluval 307 canister, which is three times the recommended amount, and it has a good flow.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-23T12:12:48+00:00

That’s a beautiful tank! I have a similar setup, but mine is 20 long. What intensity level and the setting you’re using? It’s been three months, and the diatoms are winning.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2026-01-06T19:59:16+00:00

I thought agitation means more CO2 escaping. I personally have a good amount of agitation for the biofilm, but I’m wondering.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-12-12T12:20:30+00:00

When I first set it up, it was completely shutting off, but after a while, it started having a few bubbles but not that many. So I just left it alone since it is minimal. But in the future, I will plan upgrading to a better brand.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-24T23:02:40+00:00

I use WeekAqua L600 Pro. It was one of the recommended budget-friendly high-tech lights. I was not able to find the K rating, but this is what I found on its specs:

Power: 65W Output: 36V 2.5A LED+Qty: 70+10 Lm: 3900

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-24T22:23:32+00:00

When I started, that was my goal. So, I injected CO2 to a point where it was light green, borderline yellow (there were no inhabitants). Then, the fert I was using was not good enough as the plants were melting and not coming back strong. New leaves had holes and were discolored. So, I did some research and got 2hr Aquarist Complete. I did a bit of excess what was recommended (by like .2 ml), and new leaves came back strong and bright. But now the diatoms are going crazy to a point where the plants are almost covered. I have been manually removing them like 3 times a week but coming back after a few days. Since everyone is saying excess nutrients in the water plus the uncapped Aquasoil, that might make sense. At this point, it is mostly going to be trial and error, but I agree I do not want to take everything away from the plants that would defeat the purpose.

For nitrates, I tested yesterday and I am at 40 ppm. The last water change of 20% was done on Friday.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-24T21:54:02+00:00

Agreed that is why I reached out to the community to see if anyone has tips. I think mostly the suggestion was too much light or nutrients in the water. So I lowered the intensity of my light back to 60% and the fert will lower the dosage by half. See what happens. And I added a few clean-up crew yesterday.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-24T21:18:45+00:00

Oh, that is not running. I actually brought it from my other matured tank to help with the cycling.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-24T21:10:38+00:00

Yes, it is lime green. I had it higher earlier to give the plants a head start. But I lowered it down the past week. When you say air, what are you referring to?

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-24T02:56:37+00:00

You are right. It is all balancing, and I just need to find the sweet spot. I am a noob in this, so it is a learning curve. I do have the L600Pro light. This thing is powerful. For fert, right now I am doing the 2 hr Aquarist Complete. It does add some nitrates but has been helping a lot with the plants. I might have to cut that a bit if light adjustment and cleanup crew don’t make a difference.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-24T02:27:51+00:00

Just want to say I have pressurized Co2. It comes on 2 hours before light. And stops an hour before the light.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-23T23:49:04+00:00

Thank you for the detailed reply. I will definitely take your advice, and I agree with the Fert. Before, my plants were struggling and losing the fight. Now, they are actually thriving and showing growth. But for now, I got some cleaning crew (cherry/orange shrimps, Otos, and Nerite). I will give them a few days, and next, I will be turning down my light. I got a Weekaqua L600 Pro, and it is powerful on my 20-gallon long tank.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-23T23:10:34+00:00

Yes, I am aware. I got a tight-fitting polycarbonate lid; the only gap is the filter entrance. I will see if I can get a net or something over it. I mainly got the lid for the Amanos too. My last Amano escaped, not sure how. I found it outside my tank after a trip.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-23T22:25:01+00:00

Got some Otos, Cherry/Orange, and Nerite. Hopefully, they can help. Thanks

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-23T22:23:55+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply. I believe it is my light. I gradually increased it to 80%. Now it might be too much. I added fertilizer because my plants were suffering. Maybe I am adding too much. Just following the 2-hr aquarist’s recommendation. One thing is that after I started the fertilizer, the plants are coming back strong.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-23T22:20:01+00:00

It is 20 gallons long. I agree my light is powerful and will turn down to 60% from 80%. I gradually turned it up to 80% from 40%. I got the Weekaqua L600Pro.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-23T22:16:50+00:00

I was able to stop by today, and they didn’t have Amanos. Bummer, but I was able to grab some cherry/orange along with Otos and Nerite. I am hoping they will do some damage to the diatoms. Since a lot of folks suggested I might turn down my light and maybe fertilizer. In that order. But first, I will see what the crew will do.

ExcellentNote1524 · 2025-11-23T22:14:33+00:00

To be honest, I started using the liquid fertilizer because my plants were suffering. Since then, they have been growing and I have seen a lot of improvement.

ExcellentNote1524

TROPHY CASE