Eco complete, liquid ferts etc..

[lcap]

I have a Fluval Vista 16 gallon tank with 8,000k led lights. I use Caribisea complete as my substrate 2" deep at least. I use root tabs since the substrate is almost a year old.  Plants include Water sprite, water wisteria, crypt wenditii, and crypt spiralis. Got a case of black beard algae and now hair algae (my marimo moss ball turned black).   I'm doing a 20% change once a week.  Nitrates a little high.  Ammonia zero.  Lights are on 6 hours a day.   What else can I do to get the balance.  Was thinking of skipping root tabs and just using liquid ferts once a week (most of these plants are water column drinkers no?) Thanks so much!

 

 

[Garren]

Balancing a tank takes some time and one change can take a few weeks to see any difference. I would cut the root tabs out for now and try to keep the nitrates at or around 20ppm. You could also increase you water change to 30%. Just try one thing at a time till you narrow it down. Lots of youtube and blogs from aqaurium co-op on this matter as well. 

Edited February 15, 2021 by Garren