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Pale (white tips) on plant leaves

I think I need more flow....Ok, I want more flow.

I’ve since added another air pump but I don’t think the Fluval is cutting the mustard. Flow is unidirectional across the back plain but lacking on one side.

Issue is I cut my JBL tubing to fit an inline diffuser and now it doesn’t reach over the tank (the diffuser sprung a leak so can’t reuse it)

The JBL tubing is like rocking horse poop. Any ideas where i can get some standard 16/22 PVC tubing? B&Q sell it or Wickes etc?

Thanks

CJ
 
Help with nutrient/co2 delivery

I meant a pump not air pump sorry
 
Coupled with a gradual increase in co2 over the past few days, flow seems to have made things better.

I couldn’t believe it. I thought I had enough co2 but the DC was blue to bluey-green, adding more it was just green towards the end of the photoperiod and only now is it turning lime. I was well under.

Regards
CJ
 
Yes, this is the problem in a rectangular box. Water does not behave as we would have it behave.
This leads hobbyists to mistakenly believe they have good flow and good CO2.
When they incur problems that are obviously CO2 related, they look for causal factors elsewhere instead of tightening their belt putting their thinking caps on.

Cheers,
 
I’ve been reading about flow in natural stream and the effect it has on Periphyton. One article suggests that the Periphyton have a symbiotic relationship in that they help facilitate nutrient uptake to a certain extent, however, if the Periphyton layer gets too thick this will have a negative impact.

They did some experiments at different flow rates, 0.5 5 and 15cm/s. Only the flows at either end of the scale shown a significant difference but a difference nonetheless.

I wonder if there is a conversion of these flow rates to something more meaningful to us hobbyists?

Thanks
CJ
 
I took a bulb out. According to the chart you posted Clive I was at about 160PAR (2xT5HO with reflector) it’s been a few days and things look better than ever. My next plan is also to increase phosphates to combat GSA.
 
Soilwork said:
I’ve been reading about flow in natural stream and the effect it has on Periphyton. One article suggests that the Periphyton have a symbiotic relationship in that they help facilitate nutrient uptake to a certain extent, however, if the Periphyton layer gets too thick this will have a negative impact.

They did some experiments at different flow rates, 0.5 5 and 15cm/s. Only the flows at either end of the scale shown a significant difference but a difference nonetheless.

I wonder if there is a conversion of these flow rates to something more meaningful to us hobbyists?
Click to expand...
Yes, one of the reasons we have problems with CO2 absorption is due to the thickness of the the Periphyton, which presents a barrier to gas diffusion. It's difficult enough for CO2 to diffuse through water and cross over the plant outer membrane, but when the membrane surface is covered with the film it is even more difficult. That's why I normally suggest that during the water change to preen the plants gently with your fingers to clear the leaves of the slimy film.

As far as the flow rate, it's not really necessary, or possible for us to measure or control the actual velocity, but as long as we stick to the filter 10X flow rate rule of thumb and have good distribution then we will be OK. This is the reason I'm always on about flow distribution. If the flow rate is too high, of course, then it can become counter productive, but if we see a majority of the leaves gently rocking then we know we are in the right regime as far as the flow rate across the leaves go.

Cheers,
 
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