So, this is how it starts...

[SoCalBoo]

Dave - try to trim vals on diagonal, looks better.

[davocean]

Ok, did that, and looks SO much better now, light can actually get through to bottom now.
Vals healed no prob.

[lowfi]

What Ive noticed with my FWP tanks, is that if you trim back too heavily, it might also cause an algae bloom. Sometimes I would hack down my "background" plants (rotalas, vals, etc) and if you cut too much off, it greatly slows down the growth rates in that tank. Without growing plants to eat up the nutrients, nuisance algaes would start popping up here and there. So just make sure when you cut your plants back you dont take too much off. I probably wouldn't go over 1/3 of TL of plant. I was also using ferts that I mixed myself, CO2 and high light so that obviously impacted algae rates. In retrospect I should've cut back on the ferts after a major trim.

If you have any questions on ferts or need some bulk, I have a bunch. Did the FWP thing for a while but found it to be more time consuming than the reef tank! Sooo much trimming and cutting.

[davocean]

Agree, I did trim just about 25% to see results first, and yes, I did see a slight increase in algae.
That Val chains around pretty good, some I will have to pull out completely, but I'm going to wait till things balance out a bit.
Thanks for offer on ferts, good for now but may hit ya up later when convenient.
I absolutely LOVE that avatar!!LOL

[lowfi]

"mine.....mine...mine...MINE" that's what the avatar reminds me off...

Here is my tank, before I took it down. I didn't run the CO2 ladder for too long, I liked the diffuser better..actually that can be debated also..





sean!

[davocean]

LOL, think that av only needs to say MINE once, and in a deeper voice, no contests!
That planted tank is nice, great ground cover.
Wish my micro sword would do that, but I'm w/out C02, so...

[lowfi]

I broke that ground cover up as much as possible...then planted it in a checker board pattern across the bottom. Seemed like the best way to make it spread, it worked.

[davocean]

I broke mine up a bit, but I think I really need more light, and possibly C02 to get good ground cover.
Right now I'm only running 2 of my 54wT5's, and not all 4 of them as I could because most exp planted guys are telling me that w/out C02 I will most likely have algae issues if I burn all 4.
I'm pretty happy w/ this being simple right now, so I can focus more on my reef, and I'll keep plants that are easy.
Maybe later down the road I'll step up to C02, who knows.
You know how these things get!LOL

[lowfi]

sounds like a good idea so far. the KISS method, I like it.

You know how these things get!LOL

tell me about it!

[davocean]

This is my planted today.
I need to pull out all the Val in front on right side to open things up a bit, may do that on next rain day.

[davocean]

OK, I culled back the Val a bit, looks much better