The Planted Tank Forum - View Single Post - Safado's 55g (Warning 56K) New Pics 10/08

Safado · 08-06-2005, 08:53 PM

Another wordy post, but what are journals for, eh?

I just did the weekly water change. I will take a picture later today after the dust settles. I also turned on the 15 Watt Aqua UV Sterilizer. I have this with a pump rated at about 200 GPH at the nearly four feet lift to the tank from the sump. I imagine it cuts down on the flow somewhat, but I think there is still enough. I also have the pressurized CO2 being added to a Venturi valve on the pump outlet. I don't have a reactor, but the bubbles reaching the surface of the tank seem to be significantly smaller than when I was using a glass disfuser, and I have increased the ammount of CO2 being added. Despite there being a large bubble every once in a while, I think this is a lot more efficient, and I don't have the tubing or disfuser in my tank. I keep the PH at about 6.7 for 45 ppm. I have never seen the guppies or ottos react in any way (gasping or hoovering at the bottom) to the increased CO2. I think the increased surface area and agitation of the overflow to the sump/ filter box provides plenty of O2, and the CO2 goes off at night. I will try to get a picture of the 10 g sump setup, as I am not being very clear. I also have the PH meter, and heater, which isn't plugged in now, in the sump.

Besides chopping a few of the plants, I repositioned the Parrot's Feather to the back of the tank. It is back down to about six inches. I left the bottoms, as they have a bunch of roots, and also replanted the tops, and some middle portions. I understand this is not a naturally submersed plant, but I like how it looks, so as long as it is looking good, and growing, I'll continue to enjoy itenjoy it. Cross your fingers for me. After the WC I tested the Nitrates and the Kh.

Kh is just under 130 ppm (3 drops of tank water added to the initial 5 ml brought it back to equilibrium).

Nitrates are under 5 ppm.

I haven't started dosing regularly, but I have added a bit, ("dash") of KNO3 here and there. (everything I have other than some Flourish, which I haven't used) is from Greg Watson.

Using some tupperware measuring spoons, I added a "dash" of Potassium Phosphate and Calcium Carbonate, a "pinch" of Potassium Sulphate and mono potassuim phosphate, and a "smidgen" of CSM+B.

After 15 minutes I tested the Nitrates again, and they were around 10 ppm.

I will test the Kh again later today as I understand it takes a bit longer for the Calcium Carbonate to disolve, but I don't see any clumps of it on the bottom.

08-06-2005, 08:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Safado Still a Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 503	Another wordy post, but what are journals for, eh? I just did the weekly water change. I will take a picture later today after the dust settles. I also turned on the 15 Watt Aqua UV Sterilizer. I have this with a pump rated at about 200 GPH at the nearly four feet lift to the tank from the sump. I imagine it cuts down on the flow somewhat, but I think there is still enough. I also have the pressurized CO2 being added to a Venturi valve on the pump outlet. I don't have a reactor, but the bubbles reaching the surface of the tank seem to be significantly smaller than when I was using a glass disfuser, and I have increased the ammount of CO2 being added. Despite there being a large bubble every once in a while, I think this is a lot more efficient, and I don't have the tubing or disfuser in my tank. I keep the PH at about 6.7 for 45 ppm. I have never seen the guppies or ottos react in any way (gasping or hoovering at the bottom) to the increased CO2. I think the increased surface area and agitation of the overflow to the sump/ filter box provides plenty of O2, and the CO2 goes off at night. I will try to get a picture of the 10 g sump setup, as I am not being very clear. I also have the PH meter, and heater, which isn't plugged in now, in the sump. Besides chopping a few of the plants, I repositioned the Parrot's Feather to the back of the tank. It is back down to about six inches. I left the bottoms, as they have a bunch of roots, and also replanted the tops, and some middle portions. I understand this is not a naturally submersed plant, but I like how it looks, so as long as it is looking good, and growing, I'll continue to enjoy itenjoy it. Cross your fingers for me. After the WC I tested the Nitrates and the Kh. Kh is just under 130 ppm (3 drops of tank water added to the initial 5 ml brought it back to equilibrium). Nitrates are under 5 ppm. I haven't started dosing regularly, but I have added a bit, ("dash") of KNO3 here and there. (everything I have other than some Flourish, which I haven't used) is from Greg Watson. Using some tupperware measuring spoons, I added a "dash" of Potassium Phosphate and Calcium Carbonate, a "pinch" of Potassium Sulphate and mono potassuim phosphate, and a "smidgen" of CSM+B. After 15 minutes I tested the Nitrates again, and they were around 10 ppm. I will test the Kh again later today as I understand it takes a bit longer for the Calcium Carbonate to disolve, but I don't see any clumps of it on the bottom. __________________ 10g with shrimp 55g First true attempt at a planted tank.