ADA 90P journal (updated with new pictures 8-30-08)

[ColeMan]

Originally Posted by mott

Just squirt your ADA super juice after each WC... youl be fine. I'm just worried you are gonna lose some fish if you don't do at least one 50% WC a day. Two would be best but you might be ok with one WC.

Your cycle is looking like it's just about done so it won't be long.

One more thing, I think you should have some sort of ripple on the surface you need at least a little oxygen exchange.

If you think about it, the increased gas exchange to some point is a function of surface area...by increasing the surface area of the tank, however so slight, you're helping increase gas exchange.

Here's a really interesting link to an article called "Turbulence and Wave Breaking Effects on Air-Water Gas Exchange" - be warned, it's kind of technical.
http://complex.umd.edu/papers/breakinggas2000.pdf

Although they conclude that : "until breaking waves occur, the primary role of the wave state is to provide a means for transport and mixing
of the surface layer, via turbulence..."

(keep in mind they're talking about the ocean here)

They continue later that: "Once wave breaking occurs, the ingassing rate jumps...The onset of high amplitude acoustic events is correlated with the onsets of wave breaking and broadband spectra in the wave height. There is also a corresponding increase in O2 absorption rates."

so, if increasing breaking wave height corresponds to increasing 02 ingassing, then certainly ripples on the surface of a body of water would be more effective at gas exchange than no surface movement at all.

I always have the whirlpool effect going on. It happens when you use the Lilly pipe, then I move it up at night to air out the tank...

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by rick4him

Finally!!! Ammonia is at 0. Now I'm just waiting for my nitrites is still at .25...

when the ammonia goes to 0 does the nitrites follow closely behind?

They should.

What water change schedule are you running now?

You do need to keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrIte right after water changes- if you still get peaks then you're not quite out of the woods yet, but very close.

Here are some updated pictures for today.

My ammonia and nitrite are both at ZERO!

Nitrate - 10

Phosphate - 0 (this is a weird one - how could it be zero? and should I use some of the "special lights - ada" that I have - I believe that has phosphate.)

My alga is doing REALLY well. I'm up to 10 hour total light time, and 6 hours of m/h for a burst. I'm doing 7 pumps of step 1, and 8 pumps of brighty k)

Co2 is at 2.5 bps and it is a light green on the drop checker. I added some rummie nose's today- they are doing just fine. So are my shrimp and ottos.

Things seem to be coming along nicely. Hope you enjoy the new pics!

[CL]

looking good. those rocks are great

[CmLaracy]

Originally Posted by clwatkins10

looking good. those rocks are great

Looking good man. I'd say give it four days and DEFINITELY bump that MH up to 7 hours. If you want to, you could now, then in a week bump it up to 8. Those flouro's by themselves won't do much of anything for your plants, they're really just there to fill in the corners csuae the Metal Halides are only designed to spread about 2.5 feet, and your tank is 3 feet. So 7 hours soon, if not today, then 8 in a week OR two, whichever you feel more comfortable with. In terms of the ferts you're dosing right now, everything but the phosphates look good. I'd say dose 2 pumps of LIGHTS everyday from now on with the same amount of Step 1 and Brighty K. I'd go with 20% every other day now, no more need for those big 50%ers lol. So just change out about 10 gallons every other day, then in two weeks lengthen it to every two days.

Growth is looking great, you're really doing a good job, and you're being especially patient. Congrats!

[@marko@]

things are starting to look really nice.

whats your tap's phosphates? are they low, or are you plants using up a lot? either way you need to dose, but its good to know if your plants are productive, or if your tap is weird.

What is the ideal level for your phosphates?

[eyebeatbadgers]

Originally Posted by rick4him

What is the ideal level for your phosphates?

I'm guessing you didn't bother searching, but I keep mine between 1-2 ppm. Some research will yield values by others more reliable than myself. If mine dips below about .5 to 1 ppm, I start getting GSA on the glass.

Those pricey fertilizers get a little confusing when they have silly names like Super Brighty Bright Light Juice. I'll stick to my KH2PO4.

[roybot73]

I81B4U works the best...

So I just checked my water and my phosphate's are at .50 and my nitrate's are at at 0. Man my plants are sucking stuff up.

What should I dose more of? Step 1, or Special lights? If I am at 0 already and my phosphates are running low at this time of the day does that mean I don't have enough of that fert in my tank right now?

[@marko@]

1-2!?!? are you sure? mine are 0.05 (are you sure you didnt mean .1?) and the only place i get GSA is on the petite nana, but that happens in another tank too that has a p level of 2.

do you have any fertz made to replenish a single nutrient? like brighty K (well, with 0 nitrates and "low" phosphates you really shouldnt be adding K, its just an example).

Originally Posted by @marko@

1-2!?!? are you sure? mine are 0.05 (are you sure you didnt mean .1?) and the only place i get GSA is on the petite nana, but that happens in another tank too that has a p level of 2.

do you have any fertz made to replenish a single nutrient? like brighty K (well, with 0 nitrates and "low" phosphates you really shouldnt be adding K, its just an example).

man I think you are running really low. Most people keep theirs between 1 and 2. U may need to up your phosphates.

[CmLaracy]

most people keep their phosphate between .5ppms and 2ppms. Nitrates should be kept between 5ppms and 10ppms. I've noticed stunting in plant growth with nitrate levels over 10ppms.

hello everyone. I hope you have all been doing well.

I wanted to give you all some pictures of the tank. Things are growing in nicely. I am getting some allege on the rocks, but from what I understand this is normal and will hopefully go away after a few months. (or at least not be as bad.)

How's it looking?