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Hey guys, long time since I've been here - but I thought it might be a good thing to pop in and recommend a great guy for CO2 (in 2kg and sometimes 5kg bottles) for ridiculously cheap compared to commercial options. Been visiting him for over 5 years now, currently has quite a few bottles (must...

Hey guys, long time since I've been here - but I thought it might be a good thing to pop in and recommend a great guy for CO2 (in 2kg and sometimes 5kg bottles) for ridiculously cheap compared to commercial options. Been visiting him for over 5 years now, currently has quite a few bottles (must...

I do the same for GH booster. All the calculations for the breakdown are on a post on the forum and it takes me an hour to remember the search string that brings it up.

Thanks for the responses guys. I've been toying with O2 at night and different temperatures over the course of the last few months to see where my manageable balance lies. Nice to see you back Clive.

I was reading a website, here: https://www.waterjournal.org/volume-8/osborne and read this particular part: What are people's thoughts on this? Has anyone conducted any tests focusing on temperature or fluctuating temperatures vs plant growth? Also, what specifically does it mean by respiration?

Just to add, when I was running the purer water recipe (3GH/1-2KH) the EI dose seems even less effective. As if the super clean water changes were stripping whatever the last week left and the plants were always lagging behind trying to catch up to the dose. Was always under the impression, the...

Just to resurrect this thread for an updated observation.... During these problems, whether I had GDA or not, I rarely had pearling. I know that's not an indication of anything substantial besides the fact the water is saturated with O2. It was actually a helpful thing though as visually, more...

Thanks for the update! That's what I like about this site - people seem to hang around. I have just one question.... Since you use RO what are you doing about Cl? I too use RO and reconstitute with GH booster from TNC (CaSO4/MgSO4/K2SO4) and had been adding chloride with ill effects (MgCl2...

I know this is an ancient thread but what happened in the end?

If the cabinet top has warped then the tank will literally twist. Let me guess.... the crack runs from back pane to front pane diagonally? (couldn't see your picture by the way).

I think the most important thing to do once the plants and critters are taken care of is to find out exactly whey the tank cracked. Tanks don't just crack... there must have been something under the bottom plate or the edges if it is a raised bottom. Where is the tank situated? What's it on...

Amanos are bullet proof. If anyone manages to kill them then there are serious problems somewhere. Moulting is a good sign they are normal.

Sorry to dig my own thread up but I've been trying all sorts in the past year to solve an apparent refusal by plants to take up micronutrients effectively whild GDA has come and gone. I really wasn't interested in sorting the GDA problem out specifically but noted changes in its behaviours if I...

Does the peat moss have an effect on lowering soil PH though?

The soil I was using before specifically was the westland aquatic pond compost capped with sand. The stuff was coming up in sheets after a year! The plant growth in the first 6 months was very good though. IIRC it said that it was not suitable for lime hating plants so can only assume something...

Yes - between 32-35ppt The females must always be in fresh, even when dropping the larvae

I've decided to go with a minerlised top soil substrate and came across a nice tutorial on how to do that. The only question I have is relating to a concern about the compaction of fine soil substrates.... I had the problem with the westlands aquatic compost that the first couple months were...

Despite what we discussed in those threads (including https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/reconstituters.55797/) I'm still chasing the dream. I'm pretty worried that the day I find the perfect balance, I'll have nothing to do!! With all those salts you're going to want a decent calculator, I...

PM me your address and tank size and I'll send you some powder to kill them stone dead in 3 days. Perfectly shrimp safe too. Planaria in excess would indicate a dirty tank in my experience. How's your maintenance regime?

Amano are great shrimp - I've got some larvae maturing right now. They are ridiculously hardy shrimp and excellent clean up crew! You'll undoubtedly have questions within a week about the eggs the females will visibly be seen carrying... hanky panky usually always follows a moult.

Ok guys, here's my latest mutation... This blue batch had a lot of variants which was nice. See below. Can't wait to see what the pregnant one throws!

Cheers X3NiTH! So here's the deal - things are..... actually looking up! I stuck with the low fert regime and things were going downhill. Stellatus was shedding lower leaves badly and new growth chlorotic. Repens old leaves looking like a tortoise shell pattern. Wisteria was dark veins pale...

My balansae used to be incredible! A rich orange/brown colour. It used to get out of control quickly so got rid. As for the tank now, I've stopped dosing NO3 and upped trace to 0.1ppm Fe every other day with 1.3ppm PO4 and 5ppm K going in in between. Also turned one strip of lights off to slow...

Sorry if I came across a bit harsh - I suppose I could fence off a little bit to test.

My tank isn't really equipped for duck weed because of the skimmer and above average flow. I only use the NO3 test kits to see if there is no NO3, not to see if there is any. If that makes sense? Not perfect by any means but it gives me a rough idea.

I use them - really good seller. Always throwing in freebies like shrimp/fish food, almond leaves etc No problems whatsoever.

Go to your local auto factors - they should have a tray with popular sizes, assuming it's metric and not some weird size like they use on VW/Audi. You're talking pence if they have one. Just make absolutely sure it matches up.

I ran the week as intended and had NO3 lingering again toward the end so dumped in 20ppm of K as K2SO4 and today the NO3 and PO4 is completely undetectable?! I can't believe that I might be deficient in K but to test the theory I'll be starting the new week with the same water recipe except I...

Easy to tell male from female. Males are much smaller and slender and have dots only on the lowest row of markings. Females are larger (3x) with more of a pronounced "belly" and instead of dots they have dots and dashes in sequence on the lowest of the three rows of markings. Other signs are...

If you go to get some Co, let me know and I'll split the cost with you. I picked up some boric acid and zinc sulfate in case you need some. I've since also received the CSM+B, mixed it up and it's auto dosing daily 3 hours after macro. Values below (in ppm) B 0.003430322 Cu...

I wouldn't know where to start correcting! The NPK values are interesting, I've run close to these ratios and quantities during my little trials. Same for Mg but wasn't getting the slight improvements I've seen from the Floragrow, so this must still be something to do with micro. Also noticed...

I thought it might be macronutrient but have been dumping plenty in (also went super lean before that) - was even dosing urea and didn't see any changes while using the APF. Just a massive accumulation of N by the end of the week. Could it be that the plant had reserves of the micros but...

It's 1 pump per 5 litres - 7 pumps = 10ml Would appreciate the workings out if you can, no rush.

So here's an interesting development. I dumped in 30 pumps of some Flora grow pro special fertiliser (colombo) in the tank this morning before lights on and looking now at midnight my rotala has sprouted out an inch from each node! Leaves are plumper too! There are new roots forming also which...

I've read quite a few posts on various forums over the years about the red plant debate, and how to get them redder. I was doing standard EI (with that APF trace mix) in the hard water tank in the beginning and all my green plants turned pink which was nice. I've never been able to recreate...

Thanks guys I have inert sand but it sounds like I could get a significant amount of residual still in/on the substrate? Should I run some carbon for a while perhaps? Other parameters are: 7.3GH (Ca 40, Mg 8.4, Cl 35, S 16) 3KH (from KHCO3 + MgCO3) 7.2ph (6ph with CO2) EI daily macros (3.2ppm...

I don't see a lot of discussion about zinc on the forums and am curious if anyone has any info on it, specifically why commercial ferts use such dramatically different amounts to each other, especially in relation to boron. As an example, APF trace mix vs CSM+B (I use the former but will be...

"To plant or not" - since you're on a dedicated plant forum I'd be more inclined to plant... :p

More likely to get arrested down in this cesspit....

It's a shame you're so far away... I've got a guy who gets hold of expired FE's. £12 5kg and he isn't willing to post. I drive 50 miles to see him and buy 5 at a time.

Either way, that's crazy that they are predatory.

Absolutely fine IMO - MTS are just big lazy softies. They just get a bit out of control from time to time.

Banana worms?

I've got thousands in my cherry tank - they tend to sit around on the glass eating algae all day. Sometimes they will pester the shrimp, one had one on its nose the other day and the shrimp was trying to wipe it off. He got it eventually and it swam off.

It came today - just done a dose, will let you know how it goes.

I keep mine all together and separate them at cull time... usually when the males are getting mature enough to mate. Don't want clear ones spoiling where I've got to now.

Awesome! SF: that's a really interesting mottled look. Are you trying to develop the line at all? Chuck: I like that black one! nice patterns. I've got a fire yellow here with a single red blotch on its tail - I'm wondering if it will continue? I'd quite like a yellow with blotches of red on her.

Be nice to see how it develops, if it does. Post some pics up guys if you have them.

I just bought "no planaria" - I should have some left after treatment if you fancy going halves?

As title - got this critter in the tank. Looks pretty cool. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1n_5nuC1cwKc7vNEThWd1XjN2Ysuw2ETj Anyone else get weird mixes like this?

Anti-fungal silicone will cause you serious problems. Absolutely do not use it for anything to do with aquaria! Get HA6 or Aquamate silicone..... or alternatively use expanding foam if you're making a rock scape.

I'm betting it's the amanos - mine love hydrocotyle and cardamine! They will literally devour a bush of it in one night. I have got about 40 shrimp though which doesn't help.

Oh bugger! I didn't even remember about this thread till today..... looks like you guys have bee having good discussion. For the record, my family did leave..... in the end. Will catch up with this later.

I doubt they were eating the mould. More the bits that are stuck in it. Amanos are voracious - if they like to eat something, they will clear it. I've had my hydrocotyle demolished in 1 night by 5 shrimp. Even BBA after treating with glute - it will be gone by the morning. Either way, that's a...

Amanos won't eat that white fur. Best bet for that is water changes using the hose to suck it away while you rub it off the wood. My wood has been in the tank 3 years and it only rarely comes back if the wood is exposed to air.

I have an RCS tank with Columbo soil, planted - never had any problems. GH 14 KH10 PH 6.8-7 WC once a week at around 20%, dosing Flora Grow Pro and feeding Shrimp Cuisine. Sounds like a diet issue - I would have thought what the shrimp can't get from the water they will get from a high...

Forgot to mention that the Ni has been added. I made a 500ml solution: 200ml 201mg NiSO4 1ml dose in 150L = 0.0015ppm (1.5ug/l) Hope that's right? Nothing has died, and I read that Ni is the least toxic of the metals, far less so than Cu. I only added the single dose for the week. Going to...

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yJmS2CJhg8TJ1zUIoeMmm0sqraHoq7PP So here is the tank today. Growth is slower but seems more dense and compact. Still showing issues on older growth. Water change today, then I'm going to double up on macros this week and keep micro the same and bring the light...

In what form is the N & P? And, are you dosing your potassium already contained in your iron, or are you dosing K seperately? Me personally I'd leave some floaters - they'll help you understand if nutrient levels are adequate without injected CO2 being an influence (in case you're slightly off...

That's a lot of light! Any pics of the tank?

I've got a bag of APF traces here you're welcome to have some of if you like? I'd be more inclined to switch micros before taking the leap into EI.... just to see if the Tropica isn't too weak. I find most commercial liquid ferts are too lean for high light/CO2 driven tanks, plus the fact not...

Ok so an update - I've been running with this for 2 weeks after literally dosing nothing at all since the last post. Water has pretty much stayed the same, I mix up to these parameters now: Ca - 40 ppm Mg - 10 ppm Cl - 14 ppm S - 11.7 ppm KH 5.2 GH 8 Macro (dosed daily before...

I thought this was about Malaysian trumpet snails lol I've slimmed down to 5 tanks now (plus a little cull tank for shrimp). I can't believe I've got away with the one downstairs for nearly 3 years now! I think the old dear quite likes the eels.

Oh ok, I see what you did there..... you make a solution of NiSO4 to add 1ml to the 500ml micro mix?

Got a bit confused with the dosage - Zorfox's calc give me this 100ml RO + 33mg NiSO4 with a 1ml dose in 150L = 0.0005mg/l Think I'm going to have to dig my Tanitas out too.

Sorry, I must have missed it. I went rambling on with every detail. I've been messing with cutting out K again and I'm getting better growth. Few more weeks I'll update that anyway with my recipe. That would be great. I'd certainly be happy to pay my way, I want to get on this urea dosing ASAP...

I'm looking to add to my micro mix as it is lacking completely. It's primarily for experimentation with urea. Failing that, if anyone knows a good source to obtain some that would be great.

08/2 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dyGyt9h4aE0XHknsqdZmWj7J-4O_wNjP

Sorry I didn't get pics up - my van got broken in to and complicated a few things. However, I have come to a conclusion that this is a K problem. Since the last water change and only adding 7ppm of K the plants get better and better each day, but if I dose K as KNO3 or K2SO4 or any other...

Perhaps a good idea to check state laws too, as harvesting rain water can be illegal.

I tell you one thing vallis doesn't seem to like and that's liquid carbon.

Excellent! That clears that up then :D

What about rain water and 1/2 or 1/3 cut it with tap? I'd still get the well tested though - might turn up to be at least a bit better than the tap.

Better that water you have with the ability to add individual elements (like Mg) than have ultra hard water that you can't take anything out of. Water reports are pretty bogus anyway - they are few and far between and water can change dramatically out the tap over the course of a short time.

Just up the A3 from me - do you sell any of your shrimp?

Incredible!

OH MY GOD - this Flourish iron (gluconate) smells like a 10 day old curry!!! Absolutely rotten! Things are pootling along, will post some pics tomorrow when I can find the time.

If we're looking to disinfect (after a disease in the tank) what about milton - the stuff they use to sterilise baby bottles? Never, ever heard it mentioned and am curious as to why.

I asked a while ago what the effects of water conditioners are on our trace dosing?? Don't recall anyone giving an answer.

Just done this the other week on my friend's tank - savage black fur algae all over the wood. We soaked it all in a bucket with hot but not boiling water with a glug of glut (don't breath, whatever you do). Then left it outside in the freezing cold (2c) for three days. After that, scrub and...

Vallis has always done well in hard water for me 14GH 12KH. Spreading like a weed. In my friend's discus tank they melt and die. He's around 4GH 2KH. Only an observation though.

Has anyone experimented with heat mats? I don't mean IN the tank (unless there are waterproof versions for say an aquatic lizard?) but underneath the tank.

That's what I want - the ability to experiment with individual elements. I'm even a bit sceptical of premixed traces because not every spoon out the bag is the same composition as the last. I'm sure the differences are minor and keeping a strict dosing regime would ensure that all elements...

IIRC APF recipe adds 1ppm (roughly) per dose which works out as around 6teaspoons in the 500ml mixture (that they recommend)

Got a bottle of this for another of my tanks. I'll list the composition below for anyone that's interested. I'll be using it from next week on and will post results. Just need to sort some carbon out. Again though, no nickel?

Some pics from today - warts and all. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xzPsFACfaqYxvUg1gldYn3MoZvAexp5m It's really annoying me that it screams iron from the chlorotic look. I have this same look regardless of Mg content so I'm probably almost ready to rule that out. I just can't seem to get...

Tell me about it! A 5 minute segment on the most interesting part of the programme - really spoiled it for me.

It definitely sounds like something I'd enjoy reading. I wonder if there is an e-book online somewhere?

Have any of you caught the BBC's rivers of the world series on iPlayer right now? Saw one on the Amazon IIRC an there was a fresh spring annex on one part of the river where the water is practically pure. The fish were using it as a nursery to raise their fry. Didn't catch many plants in there...

There's not much else than trial and error for me and watching the plants I know what IS normal and what ISN'T growth - I just don't know how to correlate the abnormal growth to a cause. So I either leave a mineral out, or add one in and try every which way I can. If I suspect there might be...

Can't see the purpose of having it mixed with anything, and as such can't see why anyone would go to the trouble of doing it. Saying that, if in doubt - leave it out.

Could it be that in terrestrial plant soils a tighter ratio, or more Mg can be tolerated as it is at the roots as opposed to touching every leaf in water. I saw a video where someone with a hydro setup sprayed the leaves with an MgSO4 mixture and they greened up real quick. He was suffering a...

Reminds me of a documentary I saw about those pure water underwater caves in Africa - the same water from 10,000 years ago and blind albino catfish as inhabitants (among many others). It's the clearest water I've ever seen.

Not at all - good question. I've left RO in the dark for over a month with the lid off and it's been fine. You may just want to aerate it a bit before using it and give it a sniff. Other than that, never had problems. With my home made RO I used to test just TDS. Quick and easy with the pen.

You can have the best of both worlds..... keep going as you are, and if you need it just pop down the machine with a debit card and fill up on the spot.

Sometimes it's better to retire a tank. My best advice is to get a decent mop, something with a nice bit of torque but low rpm

I lose close to 4 litres a day in the height of summer in my 150 open top. I'm more concerned about the fact there are two pop bottles of water floating around my house invisibly.

Interesting, and a very nice tank. I'd like to know more about the Dennerle GH/KH! Do you have the info on the label at all? What does a dose give you? Also, is there a noticeable difference from week 1 to 2? I mean as in plant growth.

Should be fine - I'd even go for an open top piranha tank :cool:

I'd say if the scratches are quite deep, with a sponge head on a rotary tool and the oxide paste you will still effectively polish the actual scratch. It won't remove it obviously but I'd be quite confident it could make even the worst scratches look miles better, especially when the water is in...