Eric, I think the lighting duration during the day is a lil extreme, although most un concerned hobbyst do the same with long hours of lighting- I ahve several planted tanks and show tanks, and i use 10-12 hours a day at most soem i'v eused and expereimented with good results of 8 hours/day. That would be my first guess to algea heavily on the glass, although you will always have algea in the tank, always depends on to what degree, if it seems a lil fast growth, i would think the light is the first step to seing if that is the main culpret. If any other questions or concerns let me know - off the list- at Phibberz@threeguysaquatics.com , or on the list- i will be more then happy to help ya out! Mike Chappell Threeguysaquatics -----Original Message----- From: owner-apisto@admin.listbox.com [mailto:owner-apisto@admin.listbox.com]On Behalf Of Eric Martina Sent: Monday, November 13, 2000 12:20 AM To: Apisto Group Subject: Plants I was looking at the krib on info on plants, and I think I am more confused now than ever. I have a newly set up and planted tank, here is what I have: tank stuff: a 37 gallon tank a 55 watt compact fluorescent bulb CO2 injection some special plant substrate that my LFS recommended plants: java ferns pearl grass chain swords corkscrew vals giant red rotala dwarf ambulis (or something very similar) a cutting of an interesting long narrow leaf Hygrophila and two other plants that I forget the name of (if it is important I can go back to the pet store and get the names) I have been leaving the lights on for about 15 hours a day. After reading the stuff at the krib I realize that that is too much and I plan on reducing that to 12 hours a day (should I go less?). The tank has been set up and planted for about three weeks and I have already had to scrape the sides off of algea once, and it is coming back (I even have 5 otos in there for the last week or so!). Could this be because the plants I have, although a lot, are still small and not using up all the nutrients? If this is the case, once the plants get bigger will the algae die off, or will I have to take out all my rocks and stuff and scrape off the algae? Any suggestions on what I am doing right/wrong? Thanks, Eric ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eric Martina University of Illinois Electrical Engineering ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@listbox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@listbox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!