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Maq's Substrate Experiment

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What do you think is causing the drop in pH in tank D - it is just peat etc included in that product, or does it contain something else to acidify the soil (when used in gardening for example)?
 
PH in tank D is getting a bit adventurous, I'm afraid. I wonder if I should continue the way I did
Well I guess from an experimental point of view it would be interesting to see at what point the plants fail to uptake nutrients in these extreme conditions, I'm also curious to see if any of the nitrifying bacteria can still function in such low ph levels.
I'm guessing any snails in this tank have already succumbed to the acidic water?
 
What do you think is causing the drop in pH in tank D - it is just peat etc included in that product, or does it contain something else to acidify the soil (when used in gardening for example)?
The manufacturer does not describe the carrier. It only looks like a soft peat. Manual instructions say it should be put into the soil several centimeters deep. No guide for aquarium hobbyists...🙂
 
I'm guessing any snails in this tank have already succumbed to the acidic water?
I've introduced some juvenile snails with the plants but they disappeared since long. In all tanks.
 
27482 post: 748388 said:
Hopefully @LondonDragon and @Tim Harrison will allow me to note here, at least in this brief form, that @_Maq_ has been permanently banned on this forum, so he cannot post any more posts, nor can he respond to any private messages.

That is a real shame if I'm honest. @_Maq_ was a prickly character on occasion for sure, but clearly had a lot to contribute, and it's hard to see what could have been 'ban worthy'?
 
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Hopefully @LondonDragon and @Tim Harrison will allow me to note here, at least in this brief form, that @_Maq_ has been permanently banned on this forum, so he cannot post any more posts, nor can he respond to any private messages.
Moderation Team are evaluating this member after various complaints from members about his way of responding to messages, he had been asked to tone it down a few times over the last few months and ignored those requests and was actually abrupt towards the team. He was not banned, a discouraged was placed in the account for further discussion!

Also note that Dolos has requested for his account to be deleted.
 
@_Maq_ was one of the only people here doing and reporting even vaguely controlled experiments, so this is a real loss. Like this last one... don't you want to know whether root tabs actually do any good (I suspect they do not) and likewise isn't it worth understanding whether aquasoil is better than plain sand (I suspect it is) and can plants really grow at a pH of 4 (I wouldn't have thought so)? I'm willing to put up with some snarkiness to get real answers to those questions.
 
As Paulo has said we are evaluating the situation. Unfortunately, this member’s behaviour has often been in violation of the forum rules. We also received several complaints from other members. Further our continued efforts to moderate this behaviour were ignored. These decisions are never taken lightly.
 
@_Maq_ was one of the only people here doing and reporting even vaguely controlled experiments, so this is a real loss. Like this last one... don't you want to know whether root tabs actually do any good (I suspect they do not) and likewise isn't it worth understanding whether aquasoil is better than plain sand (I suspect it is) and can plants really grow at a pH of 4 (I wouldn't have thought so)? I'm willing to put up with some snarkiness to get real answers to those questions.
I very much agree with this Andy. I am fan of the experiments and insights as well and I think it would be a real loss to impose a permanent ban. But I can certainly also see if from the perspective of the casual beginner/intermediate members (which are the vast majority around here) that just pops in for a quick question or feedback. Especially towards such members there are absolutely no reason to come across as prickly or patronizing or take the opportunity to make seditious and largely unhelpful know-it-all statements rather than just play-along and actually provide the best possible answer and insight within the context of the question.

Cheers,
Michael
 
I can certainly also see if from the perspective of the casual beginner/intermediate members (which are the vast majority around here) that just pops in for a quick question or feedback. Especially towards such members there are absolutely no reason to come across as prickly or patronizing or take the opportunity to make seditious and largely unhelpful know-it-all statements
I honestly didn't agree with half of what he said, the bits I didn't agree with I ignored. Also never put a complaint in against him.
 
Also never put a complaint in against him.

I did on a couple of occasions earlier on.

If you're smart (allegedly), knowledgeable and outspoken as in trying to educate people, being kind and cordial is such an enormous multiplier. Curtness, sarcasm and the like just wont work in a setting like UKAPS or any other online forum for that matter... If you end up getting complaints, being "ignored" and just generally dis-liked, I just don't see the point of being on a forum focusing on elevating peoples skills in the first place.

The whole thing makes me (m/s)ad because he is such a knowledgeable guy, with many great insights for further research and discussions - we only have a handful of people on the forum with that breadth and depth.

Cheers,
Michael
 
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I'm in favour of Maq being reinstated.

Yes he has his own opinions but don't we all, and everyone has good days and bad.
This is a really good high quality forum with very knowledgeable people. (just compare it to face book as base line. This forum is right at the top with 2 or3 others).
Having read quiet a lot of posts, I work nights so have time too, any iffy posts are quickly noted and other members push people in the desired direction. Some people are able to write enthralling, descriptive epics that run on, and you can't wait for the next part (hufsa, and a few others), others are more direct at the other end of the spectrum (Ceg and a few others). Ceg is a clever guy but disapeared.
Maybe there are other issues at play here, language, money, love life, family etc. I know he is skint judging by his posts, I'd happily throw a few quid his way every so often for his input (experiments) with growing plants and aquariums in general. How many people just sit here awaiting the next interesting post to read.. Maq does the what ifs, maybe we should be asking what if..
james
 
As new to the forum, I think it is tough to call on both sides.

Maq seemed like a knowledgeable and capable guy who focused heavily on experimentation and added a lot of valuable insights as a result. The issue was with how that value was sometimes delivered and the impact of that delivery - especially to inexperienced members or those who were easily intimidated. From my limited exposure to Maq, it was never really the 'what' that was the issue - it was the 'how' it got delivered that became challenging. When you are an established forum like UKAPS, and it promotes itself as a friendly forum (some have commented on that aspect in their welcome post), you have a decision to make when you have someone who behaves conversely to that. For those with strong personalities and a great deal of confidence, Maq could be pulled into line or ignored. For others, that could affect them, and they rely on the policing and rules.

It sounds like a massive loss of experience from the forum, and I got on just fine with Maq and accepted his abruptness and strong (sometimes one-directional) view. But as a forum administrator, how long do you put up with complaints and witnessing inappropriate interactions before you act? If you have been asked to dial it down a little but don't, that also makes a strong statement. Hence, I can see the Admins dichotomy of the decision between keeping experience and not accepting challenging behaviour.
 
I took him with a pinch of salt but it was uncomfortable to witness his terse sarcasm to new members.
I think many of the more experienced and knowledgeable members have no issues with the cut and thrust of a spirited debate.

On the other hand, it seems to be a matter of common sense to adopt a more 'helpful' tone towards new members who may well be beginners starting out in this journey (i.e. everyone was a beginner at one time).
 
For balance beyond opinion and conjecture, the 14 rules and guidelines of the forum that enable UKAPS to be the community that it is.

UKAPS Forum Rules and Guidelines

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