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Post by angelminx on Oct 24, 2014 12:24:51 GMT -5
I used the pH alert once quite a while ago, but I think it was probably fairly old when I got it, because it never read correctly--always way off compared to the API test kits. Let me know how yours works, Kevin, I'm usually quite happy with Seachem products.
Angelminx
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Post by Ameenah on Oct 27, 2014 2:18:55 GMT -5
Devon your tank is looking great and your fishes look like they are thriving too. Great job! You and Kevin should write a song about Chasing the Nitrates LOL.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 28, 2014 8:58:51 GMT -5
Devon your tank is looking great and your fishes look like they are thriving too. Great job! You and Kevin should write a song about Chasing the Nitrates LOL. Thanks Ammenah. HaHa too. I actually now removed to many Nitrates IMO. At 0 and only wanted to come down to around 30. I removed some of my NPX and will now wait for some Nitrates. I've been adding a extra feeding to help, which I'm sure my fishy friends are happy about. This has been an interesting "messing around" with my sand filter to see what works best.
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Post by Ameenah on Oct 29, 2014 9:45:35 GMT -5
How well I know about "messing around" with the FSB Filter!! LOL isnt it nice to get it honed in.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 29, 2014 10:15:40 GMT -5
How well I know about "messing around" with the FSB Filter!! LOL isnt it nice to get it honed in. Yes, once it starts working correctly and honed in, it's pretty exciting.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Nov 8, 2014 15:41:03 GMT -5
RIP Dana Fish We lost our Kissing Gourami. One of my favoirte fish in the tank. He had been acting funny for maybe month. It started out that he didn't kiss as much, then he would go sit in the back corner of the tank. Then he stopped moving his fin while in the corner. He would eat, but completely stopped swimming. I'm wondering if this had something to do with my Nitrates dropping from 160+ to 0? I'm currently monitoring my parameters to see if there is any affect on my kh or pH.
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Post by Carl on Nov 22, 2014 14:29:56 GMT -5
Sorry you lost your Gourami A sudden change in nitrates is not likely the problem. Genetics or age (or both) would be my bet, but there is no way of knowing for sure Carl
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 18:43:51 GMT -5
Boo-hoo...I missed your post when you made it, but saw Carl's this evening.
I agree with Carl -- nothing you did (unless the fish got stressed when you had high nitrates)..... I gave up on Gouramis... I had Neon Dwarf, Powder Blue Dwarf and Flame for a while in my 20 gallon extra high.... Beautiful fish - but I lost all of them to mystery illnesses (not all at the same time - but all within a couple of months)....No sign of disease on the outside. I bought them all locally(three different stores), not from the pet store chain I have to drive over 40 miles.
Judy D.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Nov 26, 2014 19:14:07 GMT -5
Just wanted to let everyone know, I'm headed out of town tonight til Sunday. I may be on to check-in, but wont be active to much.
I hope everyone has a nice holiday! Talk to you all soon!
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Post by Carl on Nov 27, 2014 11:17:47 GMT -5
Have fun!
Carl
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kevin
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Post by kevin on Dec 8, 2014 20:55:50 GMT -5
I used the pH alert once quite a while ago, but I think it was probably fairly old when I got it, because it never read correctly--always way off compared to the API test kits. Let me know how yours works, Kevin, I'm usually quite happy with Seachem products. Angelminx I found it to read on the high side. Also, as fishy kept pecking at it, he finally destroyed the center disk so guess he wasn't thrilled with it. I stuck it (before destroyed) in different types of water and it did change so wasn't defective. I now just compare the reg API ph test with the 5 in 1 strip and go by the range- which is usually not more than .5 difference. Sorry for delay in post, had to stop obsessing for a while. Kevin
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kevin
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Post by kevin on Dec 8, 2014 21:01:04 GMT -5
Devon, Did you get nitrates back up a little? I was reading a different post on test kits, and it was mentioned to rinse viles in DI water vs tap. While my tap has low nitrates, do you think using tap to rinse messes with KH, PH or KH? Sorry to get off track- since this IS YOUR tank blog- my bad- totally. Did want to find out on nitrates tho. Any new pics? (ok, back on track!!)
Kevin
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Post by angelminx on Dec 9, 2014 0:01:29 GMT -5
Kevin, I understand totally! I'm probably the world's biggest procrastinator (and obsessive to boot)!
Devon, I have the same question about rinsing the test tubes with tap vs. DI water, I just never thought to bring it up, thinking that it wouldn't make that big a difference either way. I'm also hoping for some new pics. I totally understand about the time that can pass between picture posting. Earlier tonight I FINALLY got around to creating a thread about my Bolbitis heudelotii (Plant Board).
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 9, 2014 11:31:41 GMT -5
Hi Kevin and Angelminx, It is my understanding that if you could rinse in ID water, that would be better. Not all of us have that option though. I have just been rinsing the tunes in my well water really good. That's when I use the liquid test, which is only when I have water issues. Otherwise I go off the general 5 in 1 kits and keep the parameters in a zone. Last I check, Nitrates were still below 20. Which is good. Not sure the exact number. I'll get new readings tonight, with some updated pictures! thanks for checking
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 11, 2014 19:19:36 GMT -5
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 11, 2014 19:31:20 GMT -5
Here are a months worth of reading for my tank.
I started reading parameters with liquid test kits after I used NPX bio-plastics and had my Nitrates go from 160ppm to 0ppm. They climbed this high while I was focusing on dialing in my filtration and not doing any water changes. My mistake, so I tried the NPX.
I was concerned, but I wasn't sure what could happen with a sudden drop in Nitrates like this, so I started keeping record. I also added some acid buffer, cause I thought there might be some affect on my buffers. Here is what the readings are:
After 1 teaspoon acid buffer- 40 gallon
5:30 11/8/14 7.4 pH 10 dkh kh 179ppm 25 dkh gh 447ppm 0 ammonia 0 Nitrates Phos 5.0
9th 1:30 7.6 pH 10 dkh kh 179ppm
10th 7:30 7.6 pH 23 dkh gh 7 dkh kh
10th 7:30 Phos 5.0 7.6 pH 24 dkh gh 9 dkh kh
11th 10:00 7.6 pH 7 dkh kh
14th 6:00 7.6 pH 7 dkh kh 24 dkh
21st 7.6 pH
12/9/14 5/6 dkh kh 30 dkh gh 7.4/7.6 pH 5 ppm Phos 5 nitrites
So I think I see a trend of KH slightly going down over the month. From 10 to 7 for a while to 5/6 dkh (90ppm)
I'm also maintaining a high GH, which it has been this reading for some time. I haven't replenished any minerals in a couple months.
I'm wondering... Do I need to add a little alk. buffer during my water changes Should I be concerned about the acids in the tank? I have driftwood, peat moss, and the fish. Does 0 nitrates affect acid? Should I ride out the high GH, or use something to bring it down. Then be more careful to monitor for rising GH.
Any help is welcomed. Thanks again... and welcome to my tank!
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Post by angelminx on Dec 12, 2014 15:00:01 GMT -5
Hi Devon,
I like your pics. I still have a little hornwort in my tank, but I've been ruthless about keeping it down (more than I would like), because for me, it mostly grows in long strands that get themselves horribly tangled around the other plants. I try to use a plant anchor to hold it in place, but that doesn't always work. A few times after I've done it--I usually place the weight closer to the "middle" of the stem (for each "cutting")--the plant has broken off from where the weight is attached by the next day. Not always, tho...I wonder why?
I always have problems with high GH. The pamphlet that comes with the API GH/KH kit only gives conversions to 12 degrees, and probably 95% of the time my readings are near the 20s, if not over. Know how to convert to ppm?
Angelminx
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Post by Carl on Dec 12, 2014 17:51:47 GMT -5
Your numbers fit quite well with what you have been doing A slowly drifting lower KH is to be expected with normal bio processes As for GH, you are still not to a point where your GH could actually be a problem (500 ppm), and even without adding more minerals, these are going to stay high regardless outside of water changes with lower GH water. My suggestion if you want a bit lower GH, is after water changes, use only fragments of Wonder Shells instead of full doses has you have been doing BTW, nice pics!! Carl
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Post by parker002 on Dec 13, 2014 12:05:02 GMT -5
Washing your test tubes in well or tap water WILL contaminate your test.
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Post by parker002 on Dec 13, 2014 12:08:01 GMT -5
I gave up on hornwort a long time ago. It's basically a weed.
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