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  1. wolfewill

    Starting Utricularia graminifolia with DSM

    Ok. Thanks for that. It sounds daunting. The TDS measurement from our tap water is 85 to 90 ppm. Does that sound too high? I think I'm starting to see how this may work. The peat or leaf litter decomposes and the UG uses the active organisms, or water borne algae as it's primary nutrient...
  2. wolfewill

    Starting Utricularia graminifolia with DSM

    zozo: What do you mean by 'EC'? This is very good to know as I understand it. The article(s) to which you refer are great. Thanks. But, what do you propose I do with respect to water column ferts. I've read at least one article that said it did well in a nutrient rich substrate. We have very...
  3. wolfewill

    Starting Utricularia graminifolia with DSM

    I’m been attempting to grow Utricularia graminifolia as a carpet plant in an 15 gallon iwagumi set up. This led me to do an online search to see what conditions have worked for others. In addition to the usual specialty web sites I looked at various blogs as well. So what follows is the progress...
  4. wolfewill

    CO2 Tablets?

    Ok. It's a relief that it's only as poisonous as baking powder. Seems a waste of money though. Cheers everyone.
  5. wolfewill

    CO2 Tablets?

    This would be a relief if it's true. How do you know this?
  6. wolfewill

    CO2 Tablets?

    I'm hoping that this is all it is. A fellow hobbyist, new to the hobby, has been sold this from the LFS. She has two very young children and I'm concerned that she and her family are not aware of the potential harm that may occur should her children get into this stuff. But that being said, even...
  7. wolfewill

    CO2 Tablets?

    I'd be very interested in what you read. Can you send me there?
  8. wolfewill

    CO2 Tablets?

    Does anyone have any experience with Ista CO2 tablets for the planted tank? If so, what are the ingredients? And, more importantly, does it work? The videos I've seen suggest that the gas goes straight up and gasses off without any consequential amount dissolving in the water. Also, there is a...
  9. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Do you do any testing on these tanks? On any tanks?
  10. wolfewill

    CRS, TDS and GH

    That's a really important point. And I agree with sciencefiction: When doing a water change, the incoming water needs to be similar in all respects to the water in the tank. For my breeding tanks I have a separate tank in which I prepare the water a week in advance to doing the water change. I...
  11. wolfewill

    Why do my plants looks so bad

    So you're adding 10ml per 50L, three times per week of the EI starter kit: That's 4 tspn of KNO3 into 500 ml, dosed at 40ml (please correct me if I'm wrong)? That works out to be a stock solution with 24 gms of KNO3 dosed at a rate of 40ml.... that's 24gm times 40/500 (ml/ml), which = 1.92 gms...
  12. wolfewill

    CRS, TDS and GH

    If you're sure they're really Neocardinia davidi, then my experience with them is that you cannot kill them unless you have too much nitrites, ammonia, copper or predators (West African cichlids are the worst in my experience). I breed them for my own tanks and for friends and despite all the...
  13. wolfewill

    2000L tank EI Dosing with drip water change

    That's a terrific drop, and the reactor volume is about the same as mine. What is the KH of your make up water? And what kind of diffuser(s) were you using? Do you know the flow rate into the tank? This is great! I've never had anyone with which to bounce these numbers around. There are very few...
  14. wolfewill

    2000L tank EI Dosing with drip water change

    I've done that to avoid gurgling from undissolved gas trapped in the reactors. I don't like the noise and the inline diffusers can only deliver so much gas until the bubbles get too big to dissolve, even with the high dwell time of the large reactors. I have a GLA gang kit of four bubble...
  15. wolfewill

    2000L tank EI Dosing with drip water change

    What size is the reactor or reactors? And how many inline diffusers are you going to use? I have a 330 g tank with two reactors in series (each ~24 inches long by 4 inches in diameter), with four inline diffusers ahead of that. I also have a devoted Sicce 5.0 pump to run it..... and this is...
  16. wolfewill

    2000L tank EI Dosing with drip water change

    Are you going to dose CO2? And if so how?
  17. wolfewill

    Water changes

    If I may interject here: I thing what kadoxu was trying to say was that in the salt water side, testing is necessary despite the test kit anomalies, and they have done quite well. But perhaps I'm reading something in that's not there?.... Comments kadoxu?
  18. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Ok. That's going to be harder to do. I have one shot of my beloved Congo Tetras from Feb 19, 2012 while they were in my 90 g tank, and another shot of the same fish in the larger tank on Jan 4 2017. They started to die off last summer (2017). I'm going to try to put them in chronological order...
  19. wolfewill

    Water changes

    And here are some pics that were on my web site when it was in operation. All of these tanks were, and still are, PPS dosed. In order from top to bottom: A 65 g tank with large Bleeding Heart tetras, etc. Next is my other 65 g, again before it's most recent o'haul. The Lemon tetras are hiding...
  20. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Ok, fair enough. I've posted photos on photobucket with links below. All of these photos have been taken after December 2012 which is when I started using PPS, and they've been up and public for a long time. In advance - sorry for the ads. Photobucket has become one of the most abnoxious sites...
  21. wolfewill

    Water changes

    I use Sylvania to assist me with algae outbreaks when I'm doing a new tank. It provides some shade, soaks up excess nitrogenous waste and is reputed to have algae growing symbiotically in its roots thus creating a bit of a nutrient vacuum for certain types of algae (not sure about that last bit...
  22. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Darrel, that's terrific. I did research in a lab like that many years ago, during a hiatus from this hobby. Cheers for the post.
  23. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Absolutely! Thank you for adding that. Yah, and I guess I would like to know too. I'll try to refine my search better to eliminate PPS Pro and PPS classic. But more later. Hockey game on, gotta go. And since my team tanked early, I all over the Jets.
  24. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Somewhere in the ball park is good enough. I need to know if there is none, a little, just enough or way too much of the macros to do PPS properly. The toxicity of these ferts are so far removed from the ranges we need to deal with in a planted tank that strict accuracy is not necessary. [Great...
  25. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Sorry guys, but I'm now having trouble editing my last post. It ends in the middle and left much of my response on the cutting room floor. I don't have an 'edit' option below my own posts.
  26. wolfewill

    Water changes

    This is probably very true. In my search for a dosing/water change strategy, I investigate PMDD, PPS, EI and the ADA method (that I could find), it became apparent that they all have much in common. If I had only a few tanks, and they weren't too large, I, too, would be using something like the...
  27. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Darrel, I have some questions: Time for what exactly? Time on the equipment? Time to research the issues? And this: What is the duckweek method?
  28. wolfewill

    Water changes

    There is nothing in that post that actually describes PPS. There's more about EI in there than PPS.
  29. wolfewill

    Water changes

    I'm responding to your original comment: This is factually incorrect. Fish and crustaceans do well. There is rarely an emergency. Water changes using this system merely resets the water parameters so I can more easily achieve my intended targets for the macros. In the over 30 years I've been...
  30. wolfewill

    Water changes

    And I apologize for being so defensive. I don't mean PPS Pro or PPS Classic. But after writing that, I quickly tried to find a site that would describe the original PPS but I can't find much. This forum certainly doesn't seem to have anything which properly describes this system. The...
  31. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Yes, I got the idea from just such forums. And I consider this forum to be the best available (and in no small part to the civility that are accorded everyone - so I'm treating the first part if this post as a joke). And this bit is very true.
  32. wolfewill

    Water changes

    You clearly have missed something. I've been keeping healthy fish in all my tanks, using PPS, for years. This has nothing to do with doing 'no water changes'. Water changes are necessary when certain thresholds are crossed. It's about maintaining a balance between fish health and plant health...
  33. wolfewill

    How to feed Spirulina tabs to discus

    I've done very little of that sort of thing, but I'll give it a try later in the week.
  34. wolfewill

    Water changes

    Oh, and PPS stands for perpetual preservation system.
  35. wolfewill

    Water changes

    The PPS fertilization method reduces the amount of water changes, but this only works if you are comfortable with water test kits. The process requires weekly water testing and monitoring to judge when to do water changes. Success comes with mature tanks only, from my experience, but in stable...
  36. wolfewill

    How to feed Spirulina tabs to discus

    I add enough water so that as I gently run the spoon through the water, the flakes immediately break apart into the separate pieces. It sounds like you didn't add enough water. If it clumps together and drops to the bottom then that's not enough water for sure. The spirulina should be small...
  37. wolfewill

    Reactors - separate up or inline ?

    No. See this for an example of an inline diffuser: https://www.co2supermarket.co.uk/up-inline-atomizer-co2-diffuser-12-16-p188.html
  38. wolfewill

    How to feed Spirulina tabs to discus

    I grind up the spirulina into a fine powder with a mortar and pestle and add it to a high quality flake food. I also grind up the flake food (a little) into smaller pieces and add it to the spirulina (shake them up a bit to get a good blend). The spirulina seems to stick to the flakes. Then I...
  39. wolfewill

    Reactors - separate up or inline ?

    I draw water from my main filter inflow lines with a 'T' or a 'Y' splitter to a smaller polishing filter which then feeds to an inline diffuser followed by a reactor with a separate line back to the tank. The extra head does reduce the flow considerably for this line, but the main filter is used...
  40. wolfewill

    Bushy plant for West African biotope

    There are several possibilities, and probably many more, but in that area some endemics are Lagarosiphon madagascariensis and Lagarosiphon major are two that I'm aware of. And some others that look similar are Elodea canadensis, Egeria densa and Hydrilla verticillata. The problem is that these...
  41. wolfewill

    ADA Africa

    I've had a lot of experience with Africana and wouldn't recommend it. My first batch was in a 90 gallon tank and it did well enough for about 4 years then began to break down. The second batch I put in a 330 gallon tank and it broke down in about 18 months. It turned the water cloudy and the...
  42. wolfewill

    Cleaning Inline CO2 Diffusers

    This is no problem 'cause in my case the tank volume is 300 US gallons. Thanks all. Cheers.
  43. wolfewill

    Cleaning Inline CO2 Diffusers

    Wow! I really like this idea. I have Metricide in quantities so I'll certainly give this a try. I like it 'cause of the ease of addition - no bleach, and no removing the diffuser from the location. Great.
  44. wolfewill

    Cleaning Inline CO2 Diffusers

    I've got an older model and it doesn't come apart. The three hours you suggest is what I'll start at. I've got four I need to do in the next few days so I'll let you know. Thanks.
  45. wolfewill

    Cleaning Inline CO2 Diffusers

    I've read the post in 2011 about cleaning the inline diffusers by soaking in bleach but am concerned about the plastic. How long should I soak an old UpAqua inline diffuser in 20% bleach?
  46. wolfewill

    Fungus on barclays longifolia bulb.

    I've read the same and agree with Mick.Dk. But my plants have many seed pods with many, many viable seeds. I began pinching off the seed pods as soon as I see them about a year ago. If they are left to grow, they spray seed throughout the tank and become a real hassle - literally hundreds of...
  47. wolfewill

    Fungus on barclays longifolia bulb.

    And, you've got to keep the water temperature above 76 degrees F or it'll induce dormancy. I've made that mistake several times and now keep the heater on all summer in case I forget to turn them on as the weather cools in the fall. Dormancy can last for several months. In my experience - 4...
  48. wolfewill

    Fungus on barclays longifolia bulb.

    Can you upload a picture of it?
  49. wolfewill

    Wanted: A reliable CO2 system for large planted tanks

    Several have suggested the idea of having the check valve positioned in a 'head down' position, and it sounds like a good idea to me. I'm going to replace all my cvs with CO2 purpose built cvs, Dennerle and GLA products are ordered (I have 14 tanks on the go at the moment). But what do you mean...
  50. wolfewill

    Wanted: A reliable CO2 system for large planted tanks

    Pictures? Yah, sure. Go here: http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/wolfewill17/library/My%20300%20gallon%20Planted%20Tank?sort=4&page=1
  51. wolfewill

    Wanted: A reliable CO2 system for large planted tanks

    Yes, I'm replacing my CO2 kit and bubble counters. I think you're probably right on that. And, leaking is not something I've checked but the length of tubing to the diffusers is rather long. I'm going to hard pipe the filtration system and reduce the length of tubing at the same time. And, I...
  52. wolfewill

    Wanted: A reliable CO2 system for large planted tanks

    Sacha, why would I need to do 50% water changes each week? I'm using the PPS system and do water changes when one is needed. Here in this part of Canada the ground is so cold that the cold tap water is about 46 degrees F. I don't have enough hot water in my hot water tank to do a water change...
  53. wolfewill

    Wanted: A reliable CO2 system for large planted tanks

    Julian, you may have something here: I have a lot of hose, and I'm using air line hose for the CO2. I also have air line check valves which I'm replacing with Dennerle cvs as soon as I can get some (not easy to get in Canada, eh). The affect substrate has on pH/kh degrades over time, from what I...
  54. wolfewill

    Wanted: A reliable CO2 system for large planted tanks

    I definitely agree about the use of spray bars, but I've got glass lilly outflow pipe for show on now (http://www.aquainspiration.com/nproductdetail.asp?PIN=FS&PNAME=goa&PSIZE=BOF17L&PTYPE=Filter%20Accessories). I will replace them with Eheim installation kit spray bars for regular use. As for...
  55. wolfewill

    Wanted: A reliable CO2 system for large planted tanks

    I am in the process of up grading my CO2 system on my 300 gallon, heavily planted, aquarium. The system I’ve been using is a collection of assorted parts which have all been reasonably successful on smaller tanks, but are proving unmanageable on the larger tank. I am considering purchasing a...
  56. wolfewill

    Green Hair Algae Battle

    They can grow to 6" but I buy them here at about 1.25 inches, I buy 2 or 3 of them even for 20 inch tanks, and move them as they get too big for the tank. As juveniles they aren't as good at eating algae as they are when they get older, so I get several. I feed blanched zucchini 2 or 3 times per...
  57. wolfewill

    Green Hair Algae Battle

    Many of the suggestions given already are spot on but I would like to throw out another suggestion: Try a Crossocheilus siamensis, or as we in North America get a C. langei. I've been a proponent of this character as an important part of a planted tank's algae clean-up crew for years and have...
  58. wolfewill

    Hard water plants

    You're right, of course. But one can only take so much responsibility for another's tank. 'You can lead a horse to water, ....' and all, but he's game, so he'll try. I'll check his water for macros - he lives near farm land and is on a well so, we'll see. Thanks C, much respect from here. Cheers.
  59. wolfewill

    Hard water plants

    Thanks for that, and I did 'walk through the door'...... and I'm glad I did. Thanks, ceg4048, my experience with ADA aquasoil Africana has convinced me to use it again in a 335 usg tank build I'm under taking at the moment. But as for the hard water issue: I am going to see my buddy tonight to...
  60. wolfewill

    Hard water plants

    I live in a city that has extremely soft tap water (total hardness is usually about 6 dH), but a friend in the country wants to set up a fully planted tank with tap water that has a total hardness of over 40 and a TDS of 440 ppm. I get the impression that the water in the UK is generally hard...
  61. wolfewill

    George's One-Pot Iwagumi Challenge

    TMC nutraSoil does not appear to be available in Canada, but how does it compare with ADA Amazonia as far as nutrient content and ammonia/nitrite leaching is concerned?
  62. wolfewill

    Vacation dosing?

    Great ideas, both. Thanks.
  63. wolfewill

    Vacation dosing?

    Now that I've got a workable dosing regime, I need to consider what to do when I'm on vacation. What is the conventional way of managing not dosing for 3 or 4 weeks. I've got too many tanks to consider dosing pumps, so I'm considering reducing photoperiod from 10 to 3 or 4 hours per day and...
  64. wolfewill

    30" Deep Tank Lighting Advice needed

    What about using an atomizer for the CO2, and locate the business end as close to the substrate as possible, and in such a location that the water flow is going down over it. I do this and if the bubbles are small enough they will flow out from the side of the tank on the current and dissolve...
  65. wolfewill

    Grobeam 600

    I have copied and pasted the following from LED Aquarium Light, Lighting; Reef, Planted; AquaRay AquaBeam, GroBeam - and perhaps this issue can be addressed by the manufacturer themselves. They're in the UK aren't they? Call them. But go down the page on the link and you'll see the following...
  66. wolfewill

    Grobeam 600

    As for the use of liquid carbon with GrowBeams, I have a dou GrowBeam 500 (that's 2 x 500) over a 25 usg tank (30 inches x 12 x 16 inches deep) with Fluval Substratum, and low concentrations of water column ferts, no CO2; and I'm able to grow crypts (retro spirals and wendtii 'bronze') with...
  67. wolfewill

    Grobeam 600

    Check out this review: LED Aquarium Light Review; AquaRay, EcoTech, Marineland, AI Vega; More | Aquarium Article Digest
  68. wolfewill

    Dosing vs time of lights on

    I am under the impression that dosing fertilizers before the lights are turned on has benefits. Is this correct? And if so, why? And when is the best time to dose? I'm dosing macros on days 1, 3 and 5; micros on days 2, 4 and 6.
  69. wolfewill

    Aqua Soil Africana

    The fish and crustaceans have been in for a couple of weeks now. No ammonia or nitrate spikes at all. I've found some nitrite, but too little on the test kit colour chart to have a value (Ceg, you close your eyes, now). I have been following Ceg's advise, except that I do test the water to make...
  70. wolfewill

    Aqua Soil Africana

    Viktorlantos, your observations are bang on: The water clarity is very good, there were no issues with cloudiness. There was no ammonia at all, either, and just a small amount of nitrite (which is expected apparently). And there is no algae or diatoms. I think I could have added livestock soon...
  71. wolfewill

    Aqua Soil Africana

    Yah! I'm really impressed with this site. Going to buy ceg4048 a pint or two for this. Wow.
  72. wolfewill

    Aqua Soil Africana

    Ok. All above noted and I have been doing #1 and #2 for years now, so no problem. And, I am testing my nutrient levels regularly (N, P, Fe, etc.), but what about CO2 targets? I'm trying to target 20 to 30 mg/L. Does the pH / KH chart still work if weak acids (aka tannins, presumably) are present?
  73. wolfewill

    Aqua Soil Africana

    So, I should try to provide enough nutrients for the plants to grow well, and ignore the water parameters. And just to clarify, we in Ottawa have tap water very low in KH and GH (2 and 2.5 respectively), so I'm using it directly from the tap to the tank (plus dechlorinator). Your patience and...
  74. wolfewill

    Aqua Soil Africana

    I am trying to manage the pH at the moment. I have been told to buffer the GH (with Equilibrium) and KH to 6.0. Otherwise the KH is less than 1, and the GH is zero (tap water is KH 2, GH 3 here). Your input is greatly appreciated.
  75. wolfewill

    Aqua Soil Africana

    Does anyone have experience with aqua soil Africana? It's quite a departure from Seachem's fluorite, which is what I've been using to date. Cheers to all.
  76. wolfewill

    plantaholic from Ottawa

    I've been involved in the aquarium hobby for over 22 years. I didn't get serious until the last 3 or 4 years, and found the planted tanks were the most interesting. I'm a member of the Ottawa Valley Aquarium Society, and as a subset, one of the 'plantaholics' group. I have 8 tanks and a...
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