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Andy, I've used both 2028 and 2128 and personally I always fill with tank water prior to reconnecting. The guy quoted earlier in this post may be right but starting dry doesn't work for me. Top yours right to top by pouring water into the outlet and try. B4m

Trouble is my CO2 is through an external inline reactor.

Well Zooplus have agreed to arrange collection of filter and return to Eheim Germany. However they say it will be 7 to 8 weeks before I'd have it back. Buy an inline heater or spend as much if not more on a cheap external to get me by...? B4M

Interesting LD maybe my DIY option wasn't such a bad deal! External CO2 Reactor :wink: B4M

Hi, Thanks for suggestion I've contacted the dealer (zooplus) and I'll see what they say. Fingers crossed they may be more practical than Eheim. B4M

Hi, The internal heater or control unit for the heater in my Eheim 2128 filter is faulty. It sticks on and after losing some fish a while back I'd been using an internal heater. I'd like to get rid of the internal heater and the filter is still in warranty. However when I originally contacted...

Thanks Clive, So putting slightly too much of any salt isn't a big deal apart from it wastes a little money. I guess you don't advocate dropping to half EI due to low biomass caused by poor plant health. I'll keep at roughly full EI without getting hung up on ppm. Cheers, B4M

Hmm EI would be a little less confusing if everyone agreed. Quote from James' EI guide: What ppm Values Do I Need? What amount of nutrient you wish to add depends on your dosing schedule but if dosing Estimative Index then here is a general guide: 8ppm of Nitrate which is added 3x a week 2ppm...

Most literature states the filter to be 1050 lph so not sure why my original reference gave a second lower figure. From specs here it's not a small unit at 11l canister volume. They state for tanks up to 600l but I know that don't apply to planted tanks. However in a health balanced tank the...

Great. Thanks Guys.

Hi, I'd be grateful for a ID on this fish. Sorry the photos aren't great. I'm sure when I purchased 2 years ago it was labeled Siamese Algae Eater. However I read on UKAPS that they are often mis labeled by LFS. From research I suspect I may have the False Siamese Algae Eater not the true...

Very interesting to me as a nube, thanks for providing link and advice. Logic tells me that as I have high CO2 and very high flow increasing the light and increasing the dosing should increase plant growth. However it appears that I need to flip that around. My plants are not growing (for...

Well here's an update on progress. I haven't updated regularly as I had planned but have been keeping on top of maintenance and taking photos of progress. I'm sure you'll forgive me as a journal on water changes and how much algae was removed is a bit dull compared to the aquascaping journals...

Update on progress. At the weekend I did a 50% water change and some more cleaning. Removing the BBA from gravel is tedious but I'm getting there. I don't think much, if any BBA, was new but it's hard to tell. So I've taken a few reference shots to compare against in future weeks. This shell...

I'm hoping I now have sufficient flow: Filter pump output is actually stated as 1050 l/h but filter circulation stated at 750 l/h.here So if I take the lower figure and add the 400gph of the Hydor Koralia 1 and the 850gph of the Hydor Koralia 3 that's a total flow of about 1400 gph for a 50...

Last weekend I rolled up the sleeves and gave a good clean. I removed the bog wood completely. The reason for not cleaning more often was that it was too big to remove without lifting the hood off the tank and that means emptying to 1/4 full and pulling away from wall. I also scrubbed all the...

These are the stats. After doing some research made some changes last week. where these changed I've stated was and is parameters. Tank- 250l corner tank Light. 2 x 24w t5 plus 250w Metal Halide. However the MH has a dimmer in the ballast. This ranges from pretty dull to very bright. About 2...

I've already made a start trying to resolve but these are photos of the algae as of a week ago. The large bog wood is covered. Mainly BBA but also Stag horn and others. The BBA is also on the slower growing leaves. No these aren't moss balls: In the next post I'll give some stats. B4M

I'm going to try a different style of journal here. My tank is suffering from algae and the plants aren't in great condition so I'm going to try and rectify and keep this thread updated to track progress. Any tips and suggestions along the way will be most welcome! The tank has been set-up for...

Hmm..wasn't the reaction I'd hoped for given the positive interest you and many others showed in Ed's. The cost of the reactor is actually £40. The venturi and other items are optional extras to suit my cabinet and would be needed for a purchased unit also. I just checked and I didn't buy...

OK so here's a summary of how to make once you have all the parts: First cut the acrylic tube to length. I cut to 350mm but you could get away with less. Now prepare for bonding into the PVC socket and elbow. I took the corner off the cut tube with a file and roughened the length that will...

Fair point. But if you wanted to add a venturi loop you'd need to buy the extra fittings along with the AM1000. If you don't want the venturi these can be removed from mine and save a little. I liked the look of the Aquamas reactor if I was buying but that was €70 + €19.50 p&p from...

Thanks for the interest I'll work out the cost. So for parts I used the following: From Hendersons Plastics The following are from ebay. As ebay links have a habit of disappearing I've included the description and a search for this should find a similar auction. 50mm x 3mm Clear Acrylic...

I built this CO2 reactor about 4 months ago and it has been performing great. I can't take credit for the design as it is a combination of Ed and Beholds with a venturi loop from a design of Tom Barr's with only a few of my ideas. I wanted to give it some time to test prior to posting to...

Yeah I ment to post this on the end of Ed's topic but got mixed up :oops: It flows better on his so I've added it here Please reply to that one :P

I want to replace my diffuser with an external reactor so found the DIY versions by Ed and Behold very useful. I think I'll be brave (foolish??) and try the e-bay acrylic tube with PVC fittings using araldite as I'm not buying 5m of clear PVC tube. From reading this topic the last remaining...

I want to replace my diffuser with an external reactor so found the DIY versions by Ed and Behold very useful. I think I'll be brave (foolish??) and try the e-bay acrylic tube with PVC fittings using araldite as I'm not buying 5m of clear PVC tube. From reading this topic the last remaining...

For Aberdeen refills try here: Chubb Fire Ltd Chubb House Badentoy Crescent Badentoy Industrial Estate, Portlethen, Aberdeen, AB12 4YD 01224 787600 www.chubb-scotland.co.uk 2Kg FE refill £15 but you might get for £10 cash if you ask nicely. B4M

Keymaker- The calculator looks great. However I don't understand a few of the columns. G12 -22 Dose amount; is this volume of all in one mix per dose added to tank? i.e. if I add 25ml per day I just put 25 in each? I assume I12 -22 is a reference to DIY TPN+ (3) from James' site. Out of...

Thanks for taking the time to develop it. I've almost finished the first 1 litre of all in one and the tanks looking healthy. I'm trying to follow Clive's advice that it's not about the exact numbers and make adjustments according to what the tank tells me. After the first 500ml I still had...

I thought this was the case too but sufficient people on here stated they used hot from the tap so I gave it a go. A couple of months in and no adverse effects. It's much easier and quicker so I'll be sticking to the tap unless the fish tell me otherwise. Going back to the original point of...

Hi, Why not buy a cheap kettle and boil the rain water? Even in winter you'd only need about 25% boiled to heat a bucket of cold. You may have more of an issue in summer due to lack of rain but that won't change whether 10% every 2 days or 50% every 10. Just a thought, B4M

Thanks, I'll just have to keep on top of the pruning now. B4M

Just a quick update.. I've moved the Ludwigia repens from front right over to the left and I think it is helping balance the H polysperma. I've added a Hydor Koralia 1 and it has made a big difference to the flow across the glosso so hopefully will remove dead spots and improve CO2...

Everything is looking pretty healthy but if we're talking warts and all there are a few unwanted guests I should confess to. Along the front of the glass at the substrate I get some Blue Green Algae. I also have noted a little Green spot algae on the Sagittario and some on the glass...

Yeah, the right side is doing well, the left and back are slower. The Hygrophila Polysperma dominates the right and needs regular trimming. At the right front the Bacopa baby tears and Ludwigia repens are also doing well. Behind the vallis are three Alternanthera reineckii but these are a bit...

OK, it's been a few weeks since last update. So far the new lights have not had a detrimental effect, I've started dosing dry ferts, and there are new arrivals... I've been pretty harsh with the pruning especially the fore and mid ground. It was looking OK but on the verge of getting out of...

Thanks Midnight, I made up the mixture last weekend and have been dosing 25ml per day. As far as I can tell this is close to EI quantities but combined into an all in one and using James' adders to prevent unwanted reactions. So far the liquid has remained a light green with no settlement. B4M

Re: My Water Changer Great idea. I bought a B&Q hose at the weekend and fill from the mixer tap in the kitchen. No more buckets and much quicker. I had been boiling water in the kettle as I thought hot tap water was a no-no. Fish seemed perfectly happy with water from the mixer tap so I guess I...

I think I'll give the mix given in the excel EI calculator a go. Ratios seem closer to true EI. So with a 250L tank to make up 1.5L and I chose to dose 25ml per day which is 175ml a week. The formula is based on dosing 3 times a week so I entered 58.3ml per dose, but I will actually does 25ml...

Hi, I'd like to make an EI all in one solution but am confused. James' very useful site lists the following(http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm): PMDD+PO4 formula: 10g Potassium Nitrate 1.0g Potassium Phosphate (monobasic) 4.0g Potassium Sulphate 8.0g Magnesium Sulphate...

Hi, Check if it's just under a year old. If so I suggest you obtain a bulb and test before the warranty expires. Interpet will not supply replacements as they don't meet new electrical regulations but should provide a full refund. I've just received a cheque from them today :D B4M

Hmm, interesting. Seems to contradict the school of thought that says low PH with little buffer capacity (low KH) leaves a tank vulnerable to PH crashes. Many people also state that a PH of between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideal unless keeping specialist fish. Thank-you for the encouragement :D B4M

I think we're in agreement but have crossed lines. CO2 toxicity and dangerously low PH are two separate issues. I could have a PH of 6 and CO2 of 10ppm, CO2 toxicity wouldn't be a problem but the low PH in the tank water could be. A PH of 6 is below the recommended/prefered level for many fish...

Correct. These are tank water readings. I appreciate that the CO2/KH/PH relationship may not be accurate as carbonate may not be the only buffer present. But for the well being of the fish I'm not sure they should be ignored. When I increased the CO2 it did reduce the tank PH from 6.4 to 6. I...

OK, Just read Clive's very detailed tutorial. http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=467 From the link he references http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm 25ppm KH is 1.4 degrees and with a PH of 6 this gives 42 ppm CO2 so I'm way off the chart on the previous post. I'll go...

I'm running lights at 175W and I've increased the CO2 to 2-3 bps and increased the liquid dosing. Dry ferts from AE arrived this morning. I only ordered yesterday lunch time; great service. I think I'll use up the last of my liquid fert while I do more reading. My nitrate has always been on the...

OK, I'll wind down the output and up the dosing. Good job I didn't go for the 400W unit then eh :wink: B4M

Yes, Pressurised CO2 from fire extinguisher. The ballast for the lights does include the ability to reduce output by 30%. So down to 175 watts if needed. Ceg4048- With pressureised CO2, drop counter green, and switching to EI do you still see problems? While I research EI and order dry ferts...

Hi Joecoral, I've been dosing 7 ml Tropica PN+ and 7ml flourish excel daily. From what you say I'd better buy some dry ferts and start EI. Thanks, B4M

Last night I remove the ill fated Power compacts http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3110 and installed a metal halide light. Wow what a difference. I purchased the Metal Halide from Fastlight lighting after finding the units on e-bay. The e-bay units came with 10000k bulbs and I...

Thanks for the comments. Point taken on the backing paper. I'll try to sort some black paper then try and figure how to swap as the original was attached before it was filled. B4M

Interesting response from Interpet customer care: As a leading manufacturer in the aquatic industry, we take very seriously our responsibility to provide high quality products, which are suitable for their intended purpose. We would advise that due to recent changes in EU regulations, the end...

I ordered some alternative plants to replace those lost. My Glosso was doing quite well with the amount of light so by way of experiment I included some red leaved plants. 5 x Alternanthera Rosaefolia 5 x Red Ludwigia 5 x Microsorium Pteropus Java Fern 1 bunch: Echinodorus Amazonicus 5 x Red...

Two weeks later and the plants are starting to establish. Unfortunately signs of brown hairy algae have also started to show. And one week later it's taking over. This was a low point as after weeks of planning I had hoped to avoid major algae issues. When searching the web for...

OK plants... I purchased the plants from Greenline and was sorry to hear they closed shortly after. I went for a selection of 80 mixed plants, 15 mixed crypts, 25 bunches of dwarf hair grass, 25 lengths of Glosso and a bag of 8 mixed mosses. Planting scheme below. 1. Green Cabomba 2...

I have option 2. Touch wood no problems with solenoid yet. Only gripe is the lack of sensitivity on the regulator. It goes from 1 bubble every 3 seconds to two bubbles a second in about 1mm of turn. I end up tapping the adjuster to try to move a tiny amount. Do any of these options have finer...

And inside the tank... Substrate is eco complete 1" at front to 3" at rear. Front then has 1" of black moon sand on top. Decor is bog wood And the after planting If you're wondering about the white thing, it's the foot from my wife's tights filled with sand to weight down the wood...

Hi all, My tank has been set-up for about 3 months and considering it's my first tank I'm pretty happy. Here's a summary of the story to date. Starting with equipment The tank- a 250L custom corner unit with oak cabinet and hood from Wharf aquatics This front opening hood was a special...

Yeah I'm sending back requesting refund. I've given up on tubes and gone for metal halide. I'll try again to add the photo. Thanks, B4M

Hi all, Has anyone else had problems with power compact T5 holders over heating and melting? These are photos of my Interpet Power Compact T5 holders after 3 months. [/url][/img] [/url][/img] B4M