There are some that love and hate SafeTSorb as a substrate.
This is an observation and experiment in one of my tanks(5.5 gallon).
#1 Effects of SafeTSorb on tap water.
My tap water parameters are as follows.
pH = 7.5
TDS = 80ppm
GH = 3
KH = 3
Ca = 10ppm
Mg = 6.97ppm(calculated value)
Testing the effect based on a 75 gallon tank.
Requiring about 60lbs. of SafeTSorb to provide a 2" substrate.
Equates to about .8lbs of SafeTSorb per 1 gallon of aquarium water.
.8 lbs. of SafeTSorb ironically equalled 1-16oz. Solo cup by volume.
Test included 1 gallon of tap, 3drops of Prime, and .8lbs. of SafeTSorb.
Noted: This SafeTSorb was not pre-treated in any way, right out of the 40lb. bag.
Sample of said materials was shaken and stirred 3x and allowed to settle.
Each stir and settle took about 2 hours.
Results of this 3x absorbtion rate were as follows.
pH = 6.1
TDS = 185ppm
GH = 8
KH = 1
Ca = 20ppm
Mg = 22.65ppm(calculated value)
Results:
Accurate? heck no, a very short term test for sure.
Longer exposure changes the game a lot.
#2 Effect on a sample environment of 5.5 gallon tank.
A 5.5 gallon tank was set up for testing.
The above posted estimate would have required 4.4-16oz. volumes of SateTSorb.
Due to the tank dimensions 8-16oz. cups were required.
After tap water was added and 24 hours passed the following parameters were observed.
pH = 7.0
TDS = 104ppm
GH = 4
KH = 2
Ca = 20ppm
Mg = 5.22ppm(calculated value)
Tank is now moderately planted and presently raising fert values.
Trying to achieve 10-20ppm NO3, 1ppm of PO4 and moderate micro dosing.
Since dosing has required 2 days of ferts a 48 hour report will follow.
For those that complain of water clarity using SafeTSorb.
Material was rinsed 6 times with limited agitation by hand.
Placed in tank and filled via 32oz. bucket, somewhat careful pouring.
If clarity were rated 1-10, @ 24 hours an 8 out of 10 would be estimated.
More to follow, tomorrow will post 48 hour parameters.
This is an observation and experiment in one of my tanks(5.5 gallon).
#1 Effects of SafeTSorb on tap water.
My tap water parameters are as follows.
pH = 7.5
TDS = 80ppm
GH = 3
KH = 3
Ca = 10ppm
Mg = 6.97ppm(calculated value)
Testing the effect based on a 75 gallon tank.
Requiring about 60lbs. of SafeTSorb to provide a 2" substrate.
Equates to about .8lbs of SafeTSorb per 1 gallon of aquarium water.
.8 lbs. of SafeTSorb ironically equalled 1-16oz. Solo cup by volume.
Test included 1 gallon of tap, 3drops of Prime, and .8lbs. of SafeTSorb.
Noted: This SafeTSorb was not pre-treated in any way, right out of the 40lb. bag.
Sample of said materials was shaken and stirred 3x and allowed to settle.
Each stir and settle took about 2 hours.
Results of this 3x absorbtion rate were as follows.
pH = 6.1
TDS = 185ppm
GH = 8
KH = 1
Ca = 20ppm
Mg = 22.65ppm(calculated value)
Results:
Accurate? heck no, a very short term test for sure.
Longer exposure changes the game a lot.
#2 Effect on a sample environment of 5.5 gallon tank.
A 5.5 gallon tank was set up for testing.
The above posted estimate would have required 4.4-16oz. volumes of SateTSorb.
Due to the tank dimensions 8-16oz. cups were required.
After tap water was added and 24 hours passed the following parameters were observed.
pH = 7.0
TDS = 104ppm
GH = 4
KH = 2
Ca = 20ppm
Mg = 5.22ppm(calculated value)
Tank is now moderately planted and presently raising fert values.
Trying to achieve 10-20ppm NO3, 1ppm of PO4 and moderate micro dosing.
Since dosing has required 2 days of ferts a 48 hour report will follow.
For those that complain of water clarity using SafeTSorb.
Material was rinsed 6 times with limited agitation by hand.
Placed in tank and filled via 32oz. bucket, somewhat careful pouring.
If clarity were rated 1-10, @ 24 hours an 8 out of 10 would be estimated.
More to follow, tomorrow will post 48 hour parameters.