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

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

The plants are starting to grow in very nicely.

I wouldn't have put Otos in at this point, so I do hope they do OK! Are you feeding them?

Yelp- things are going fine. I talked to Jeff over at ADG and he said I was fine for the otos and shrimp so I put some in - they are doing great. (no need to feed them, there is lots of grub from them around the tank!)

thanks for the feedback...just waiting for it all to grow in..tick, tick, tick

[@marko@]

its growing great. its going to look amazing once HC fills in all those cracks in the rock.

[ColeMan]

hey rick - how's the cycle coming? tank's looking great! Im curious as to your water parameters - I'd like to compare them to mine! My tank is still cycling....

oh ywah - what ever happened with that crazy looking, unidentifiable "grey-dust" algae...no wait...I think it should be called "dust bunny algae." yeah, that sounds better.

Originally Posted by ColeMan

hey rick - how's the cycle coming? tank's looking great! Im curious as to your water parameters - I'd like to compare them to mine! My tank is still cycling....

oh ywah - what ever happened with that crazy looking, unidentifiable "grey-dust" algae...no wait...I think it should be called "dust bunny algae." yeah, that sounds better.

Hey man - that stuff was crazy - but it went away.. Just cycle stuff I guess.

My water stats as of today are -

Nitrite - .25
Nitrate - 10
Ammonia - .50
Phosphate - .25

How does this compare to yours?

[ColeMan]

Mine's a bit further along. As of Sunday:
NO3: 5ppm+
NO2: 0
NH3: just barely above 0 (you've got to love accuracy like that).

I've been somewhat hesitant to add fish, but I think its time. How are your oto's? Your shrimp still doing okay?

[@marko@]

ammonia and nitrites?! poor otos; hope they pull through for you.

[CmLaracy]

Originally Posted by @marko@

ammonia and nitrites?! poor otos; hope they pull through for you.

yeah I'd recommend more frequent wc's so you don't burn those fish up.

Originally Posted by ColeMan

Mine's a bit further along. As of Sunday:
NO3: 5ppm+
NO2: 0
NH3: just barely above 0 (you've got to love accuracy like that).

I've been somewhat hesitant to add fish, but I think its time. How are your oto's? Your shrimp still doing okay?

Actually everything is doing great. I added more ottos - got around 10 total now.

I also added around 30 shrimp in this tank.

They are seem to be doing great - eating away at everything as we speak.

I was talking to Jeff over at ADG and he said he never uses a test kit to test water stats, and he always puts these in during week 4 and never has a problem. So I did the same...He said not to worry about the water stats. So I took his advice.

As far as water changes go - I am doing a 50% every 2 days until the water gets to the right point.

[mott]

Rick, you should step up the WC's to 2 50% a day if you can. those Oto's are in grave danger, they are very sensitive fish. They may look fine to you but things could start going bad at a moments notice.

Originally Posted by mott

Rick, you should step up the WC's to 2 50% a day if you can. those Oto's are in grave danger, they are very sensitive fish. They may look fine to you but things could start going bad at a moments notice.

2 50% a day? Really? So how does that effect my dosing, photo pierod, etc.

I always do water changes early in the morning before the lights come on, and before the photo time starts.

If I were to change my water 2 times a day how would I dose? Or would I simply does really early in the morning, and then really late at night before bed time?

[mott]

Originally Posted by rick4him

If I were to change my water 2 times a day how would I dose? Or would I simply does really early in the morning, and then really late at night before bed time?

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.

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.

Hey thanks so much. I actually put my lily pipe up at night and creates lots of oxygen...

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?

[ColeMan]

Originally Posted by mott

Just squirt your ADA super juice after each WC

ADA super juice...ha!

Originally Posted by mott

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

You know, rick, if you position your lily right you'll get a nice whirlpool effect on the surface; motts right, surface rippling is great for a number of reasons, including hastening gas exchange (since there's no actual breaking of the water surface CO2 outgassing won't be an issue) and providing a really nice aesthetic effect. Glad to hear your oto's and shrimp are doing well. Look forward to some more pictures.

[CL]

Originally Posted by ColeMan

surface rippling is great for a number of reasons, including hastening gas exchange (since there's no actual breaking of the water surface CO2 outgassing won't be an issue)

huh, I didnt know this. Good to know