Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Barr
You seem to have many things going on here in effort to cover every base.
You do not need to do that.
I'd suggest more flow, say another canister filter, 350-500gph.
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I now understand that the plants will add O2 to the system more efficiently than an airstone. As I reviewed, I also realize that higher flow is another key to "DO" success. I have no canister filters on this set-up, I have a 950gph pump. I could easily add a bigger pump."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Barr
Tank water is fine there, temp is as well, it's not a big deal if the summer creeps up higher, adding a fan clip on for the surface will help cool about 2-3F.
Sometimes you can find those cheap Carboy Water coolers for 20-30$ and take the chillers out of those and drop the probe into the sump to drop the temp down a few degrees, (maybe 5F or so.).
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Thanks for these suggestions - the house was at 78F all day. The system cooled to about 85F maybe a bit more on the marrow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Barr
Stop thinking about pH, think about CO2(KH+pH).
CO2 is the concern, not a specific pH. A pH target for that KH is found here assuming that the KH is all from bicarbonate
DFW Aquatic Plant Club--KH-pH Table
So about 6.4 pH is the target.
So you keep adding CO2 until you have a pH of 6.4.
But..............you are using peat and who knows what in the substrate............so that target is likely lower than that, perhaps 6.0, hard to say depending on when and how much peat is added, or what all is leaching out of the sediment.
And what is left in the tap.
All those things can affect pH.............and they artificially lower pH fooling you into believing you have more CO2 than you do based on the chart. |
Question: When my drop checker, filled with water from my system, is green is it giving me a valid reading?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Barr
I'd remove the peat personally and leave it out from here on.
You soften the water with RO already, no need to do more.
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I can take out the peat - I was going for the dark water look. The carbon seems to have absorbed most of this along with the tannins from the oak.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VaughnH
I think it is probably fun to build up such an elaborate system, trying to mimic a natural system in a specific river area. If the goal is just enjoyment, and that is certainly a worthwhile goal, then people who enjoy doing that should do so. But, growing a variety of plants in a tank of water that will also support fish very well, really doesn't require that complexity. We all need to understand our goals and do what fits those goals. That's why this is a hobby and not a profession.
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Hoppy gets close to the mark. I want to have some fun here. I have been growing terrestrial plants, mostly xerophytes, for over 4 decades. Some as a professional but mostly as a passion. I know that there are about as many ways to grow these plants as there are growers. From reading posts of marine and freshwater enthusiasts I realize that the "aquatic confines" may be a bit tighter, but there is room for experimentation.
Gentlemen thanks for you constructive comments. Regardless of the enthusiasm I may have for
my 
ideas I realize that there are some basics that are different in aquatic systems.
Thanks,
Joseph